DANGERS OF SELF-MEDICATION
Self
medication has traditionally been defined as “the taking of drugs, herbs or
home remedies on one’s own initiative, or on the advice of another person,
without consulting a doctor”. Self medication is a global phenomenon and
potential contributor to human pathogen resistance to antibiotics.
WHY DO PEOPLE SELF-MEDICATE
People take
drugs without the prescription of a doctor for a number of reasons. While some
aim for a reduction in the time and cost of clinical consultation, others
simply trivialize illnesses and resort to self-medication. Other factors could
be due to personal insecurities and fear of job loss due to diagnosed disease, mental
illness, quick relief of pain, depression or even ignorance.
The idea of
self-medication even for small health issues can lead to complications. People tend
to pop pills as they are popping candies. These medicines include; pain relief
drugs, cough syrups and laxatives, antibiotics, anti-allergies medicines,
vitamins and even antacids. Because these are OTC (Over The Counter) drugs,
they are easier to acquire but what we do not realize is that opting for
self-medication makes us prone to a lot of harmful effects.
DANGERS OF SELF-MEDICATION
Self –Medication
might seem right at first but one needs to consider the potential side effects
of such uninformed actions.
People must
avoid self-medication at all cost because Self-Medication can lead to:
·
Drug
addiction
·
Drug
Resistance
·
Allergy
·
Habituation
·
Complication
of ailment
·
Incorrect
diagnosis and dosage
·
Disability
and Pre-mature death
GUIDELINES ON HOW TO STOP SELF-MEDICATION
·
Consult
a doctor
·
Learn
from other people’s mistake
·
For
addiction, go to a REHAB
·
Self-
Motivation
·
See
a pharmacist
