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Probiotics: Preventing Antibiotic‐Associated Diarrhea
Author(s) -
Jones Kathleen
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal for specialists in pediatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1744-6155
pISSN - 1539-0136
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6155.2010.00231.x
Subject(s) - saccharomyces boulardii , antibiotic associated diarrhea , diarrhea , medicine , antibiotics , probiotic , inflammatory bowel disease , lactobacillus , intensive care medicine , disease , acute diarrhea , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , bacteria , clostridium difficile , genetics
PURPOSE. Probiotics are live microorganisms that offer a health benefit to the host. Found typically in dietary supplements, probiotics can be safely used in the treatment of acute diarrheal disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and antibiotic‐associated diarrhea. They can be found in milks, yogurt, powders, and pills. CONCLUSIONS. Research has shown that several strains of probiotics are helpful in the prevention and treatment of antibiotic‐associated diarrhea. The most commonly studied probiotics are Lactobacillus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii . PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. By understanding the uses, dosages, and safety of common probiotics, nurses can help educate patients and their families on the benefits of probiotics.