Self Medication

Myself @aspiya From #Bangladesh

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Greetings Splendid Individuals

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I am taking part in contest "Self Medication" by @suboohi. It is one of the most important things that make up our life, and we must always take care of it as a priority. But in this ever-increasing busy world, every so often people tend to self medicate to get rid of minor diseases instead of seeking a doctor.

Is self Medication is safe?

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Self-medication can seem easier, but it is never safe. Medicines should be taken only after examination by a doctor, as per prescribed dosage, and under medical supervision. Self-medication can lead to serious harms, including incorrect dosage, misdiagnosis, drug interactions and antibiotic resistance. Improper use of medicines leads to damage rather than helping the body. We are your alternative source of information and we recommend you consult your doctor to prevent any adverse effects on your body.

What kind of self medication do you practice?

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Yes, I do self-medication, sometimes for small health issues (headache, body ache, cold, flu and allergy due to dust, weather changes). In those conditions, if I have little discomfort, I do not wait for a doctor and take a simple pain-killer or anti-allergic medicine by myself.

For such minor ailments, consulting a doctor would generally cost thousands of taka as consultation fees, but the doctor prescribed the same basic medicines. It’s for that reason, for minor issues, that I like to self-medicate. But for serious health issues I turn to professional medical advice.

Do you experience any adverse effect of your self Medication.

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No not yet, till now don't have any adverse effects of self medication, I only take unrestricted medicines which I can buy from medical store without doctor prescription. They include some basic pain killers, anti-allergic tablets and common cold or flu medicines.

There are specific restricted medicines as per schedules that cannot be bought without a doctor prescription. These may be strong antibiotics, sedatives, and other controlled drugs requiring medical supervision. Without medical supervision, it can be harmful and pose a threat to health. That is why caution when taking any medication is always wise

Give some general disadvantages of self Medication.

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From my perspective, even though self-medication is convenient to an extent, the self-medication process is not without its disadvantages which can be detrimental to our health. Although taking medicine to address minor health issues — such as ubiquitous headaches or the common cold — may not seem too problematic, repeated self-medication for any length of time can lead to serious consequences.

✅Some of the major disadvantages include:

✔ The Wrong Dosage – Getting too much or too little of a drug can lead to unwanted effects or minimize effectiveness.

✔ Misdiagnosis— we tend to focus on treating the symptoms, not understanding the real disease ending up treating the symptoms without curing the root cause because we are not the medical guys.

✔ Drug Interactions–   Some medications interact negatively with others causing is to have unwanted consequences.

✔ Antibiotic Resistance — The misuse of antibiotics can result in harder-to-treat infections down the line.

✔ Hidden Side Effects — Some medications can cause allergies, drowsiness, or even long-term health complications when not taken appropriately.

That’s why I think self-medication is fine in mild cases, but never should take the place of proper medical advice. Health is wealth, and we have to be cautious while consuming any medicine.