Self-medication is a practice that is common throughout the world, hoping for fast relief by taking the tablets. No matter what troubles you, the medicine cabinet is never far away. But, this self-medication is very harmful. We are all guilty of self-medication. Here I have discussed the 5 Serious Hazards of Self-Medication.
What is Self-Medication?
As the name implies, self-medication is when a person takes medications without first contacting a physician.
Types of Self-Medication
- Trends of self-medication can come in a variety of forms. Recommendation from friends or family is the most popular method of self-medication.
- Another form of self-medication is using an outdated prescription. As long as a drug has worked for them in the past for stomach or blood pressure issues, they’ll continue to take it.
- Dr. Google is the absolute worst of the worst. Dr. Google diagnoses and provides treatment for any symptoms you type in. It’s a terrible way to consult!
- Self-medication is more famous for a reason, and this is seen as a way to save both time and money by many.
According to a self-medication essay in Pakistan, the frequency of self-medication was 85% of the participants. More than 90 percent of respondents explained the cost of consultation and transportation to a health care institution as causes of self-medication.
5 Serious Hazards of Self-Medication
Following are the serious health hazards of self-medication:
1. Incorrect Diagnosis
The very first hazard of self-diagnosis is that of a wrong interpretation. Various medical disorders need a range of treatment options. And no matter what the signs and symptoms are, figuring out what’s going on is always critical.
Stress, indigestion, or a tumor in the brain might cause headaches. You’re masking the real problem by taking a drug to relieve the pain. Self-diagnosis on the internet has sometimes made people anxious and paranoid. It’s also possible to get adverse effects from taking the wrong drug.
2. Late Diagnosis
Self-diagnosis errors also cause medical help to be late. When a person struggles with a severe illness like cancer, this may have severe consequences. Early detection of cancer is critical for survival. Self-medication delays the diagnosis, which reduces the possibility of a cure.
Poor prognosis can be due to a lack of timely diagnosis. Symptoms of deadly and aggressive illnesses can often be as simple as a sore throat. A mole or a rash on the skin might signify cancerous skin. Colorectal cancer might manifest as back pain. Because of this, it is critical to see a doctor as soon as possible. Since we’re dealing with a wide range of aggressive and lethal diseases in our era, it’s crucial.
3. Hazardous Drug Interaction and Adverse Reactions
One of the severe hazards of self-medication is the risk of side effects and hazardous interactions between drugs. You should be more cautious if you are already taking drugs and suffering from chronic illnesses. In some cases, drug interaction could be so severe that it may cause death. Several factors determine a doctor’s decision to prescribe medication. Such as:
- Allergy responses
- Alcohol use
- Ongoing Medication and Dosage
- Other health conditions
Self-medication, on the other hand, blocks all these safeguards. Blood pressure drugs may affect the heart. The condition of patients with various chronic diseases may not be suitable to take several medications. Only a licensed physician has access to this vast array of possible outcomes.
4. Over dosage and Incorrect Dosing
Over dosage and under dosage are two more hazards of self-medication. The doctor recommends a particular course of treatment pre-or post-meal consumption. The ideal interval in time between two doses, as well as the appropriate dosage.
Children and the elderly receive a different dosage than adults. Besides, the amount and the frequency of use may vary. Side effects can result from an overdose as well as an under dose. The adverse effects might be deadly in some circumstances.
5. Addiction and Abuse of Drugs
When it comes to drug misuse and dependency are also some hazards of self-medication. Drug abuse is a problem for many people. Taking any medication for an extended period might have negative health consequences. Retests are advised even for chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.
As the patient’s condition changes, they make adjustments to the medications. If no improvement is being made, the doctor will switch out the medications. The doctor decreases the dosage or prescribes additional medicines when the drugs show positive results. Doctors do not encourage long-term usage of medications because of the possibility of negative long-term consequences.
Because they have found alleviation, many patients continue to use medication. Drugs can lead to dependence in patients; this is an addiction to a chemical. The symptoms reappear if patients try to stop taking the medication.
Those who suffer from:
- Depression
- Sleeplessness
- Anxiety
- Stress, are more likely to develop a drug habit.
They get dependent on the euphoria they get from using these medicines.
Self-medication is a major problem in health care systems across the world. Aside from saving money and time, self-medication adds to the stress of dealing with an illness. The best prevention of self-medication include early intervention, accurate diagnosis, appropriate therapy, and regular follow-up. You should always visit a doctor, even if you’re using a home cure to treat an illness. By using the Marham app, consulting with a doctor is no longer a difficult or costly task. You can book an appointment with the Best Doctor from anywhere at an affordable price.
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FAQs
1. Self-medication is used by what proportion of the population?
According to a study, four out of every five persons (82 percent) self-medicate for various health issues on an ongoing basis. It leads to various hazards of self-medication.
2. What is the reason for self-medication
- Self-diagnosis of disease
- Past use of medicine
- Easy availability of non-prescribed medication, is the most common reason for self-medication.
3. Is self-medication a form of addiction?
Due to both advantages and disadvantages of self-medication, it’s common for people to become addicted to it. Especially if the underlying causes aren’t dealt with.
4. List 5 dangers of self-medication?
Here are the five hazards of self-medication
1. Incorrect Diagnosis
2. Late Diagnosis
3. Drug interaction and adverse reactions
4. Overdose or incorrect dose
5. Addiction of abuse drugs