We all have a large selection of medications at our disposal. And with them, we also have the opinions of many people about certain medications, as well as easy access to the leaflets and ways to use them for each symptom of our body. But is this really beneficial?
Although access to information is essential, it is important that we know how to use it wisely. The dangers of self-medication are very serious and, sometimes, an innocent little remedy can cause problems for our health that are difficult to reverse .
Do you know what these risks are? Keep reading and discover the reasons why self-medicating is not always a good idea and in which cases you can turn to your own home medicine cabinet. Let’s go? Enjoy your reading!
What is self-medication?
This is called self-medication, that is, the act of taking medicine on your own. And this applies to everything, okay? So, when you feel that discomfort and run to your home pharmacy to get a pill and solve the problem, you are self-medicating.
It may look harmless, but this is actually a habit that could send serious health problems shooting through the bodies of those practicing it. To understand what these risks are and how to keep them away from family is important.
What are the health dangers of self-medication?
Now, let’s take a look at the main risks of taking medication on your own!
Allergic reactions
Some medications can cause allergic reactions. However, it is often impossible to predict them if you have never come into contact with the components of that formula before. So, keep an eye out!
Compromised effectiveness of treatments
Some medications, when taken, can compromise the action of other drugs that are being used in your treatment. It is important to be careful, as they can even reduce the effect of contraceptive methods.
Drug interaction
Drug interactions are every other danger of self-medicine. There are medicinal drugs that are incompatible, which means they have to never be administered together to the equal patient. This may have serious effects or even lead to death in excessive instances. So be careful!
Liver or kidney failure
Most drugs are metabolized through the liver and excreted through the kidneys. For patients who already have some damage to these organs, such as chronic diseases, their use must always be supervised by a doctor because chances are that one might develop liver or kidney failure. However, this can occur to healthy individuals who take inadequate doses of medicine.
Worsening of existing conditions
Did you know that taking medication on your own can worsen pre-existing problems in your body? This happens because of the action of the medication or even due to interactions, which we have already discussed. Sometimes, you think you are helping yourself, but you can actually make your own health situation worse.
Dependence
Another very serious risk of self-medication is drug dependence. Some types of formulas can cause dependence if used inappropriately. Therefore, be very careful and avoid medications that you do not know how they will work in your body.
Is this also true for natural products?
Let’s answer right away: of course! Natural products can also pose risks to our health. In fact, they are even more dangerous, since, often, the safe dose for consumption has not yet been determined due to a lack of studies.
Therefore, keep in mind that self-medicating with natural formulas also poses health risks. This does not mean that boldo tea and chamomile are prohibited and should be eliminated from your routine. However, do not overdo it. And, whenever possible, seek the opinion of a doctor to make sure everything is okay.
When can I take medicine on my own?
Despite this, there are some situations where it is okay to take medication to resolve your headache or that gas or reflux problem that is keeping you awake at night. Check out the exceptions below!
When have you ever spoken to a doctor about
If you have already spoken to your doctor about using a certain medication to solve a health problem, that’s fine! This is not a case of self-medication.
When you are sure that everything is fine with your health
As we have seen, self-medication is especially dangerous when we do not know exactly how our health is. Therefore, if you have had recent check-ups and know that everything is fine, there is no problem in medicating yourself for a headache, for example.
When you do not use any medication continuously
If you do not take medication continuously, it is also normal for doctors to allow self-medication in cases of pain or discomfort, as there is no risk of drug interaction for these patients.
When the issue is specific
Self-medication is even more dangerous when we are talking about a frequent practice. If you felt pain one day and took a medicine for it, don’t worry. Specific issues can be resolved this way, as long as you follow the recommendations above.
What is the right attitude to take?
The recommendation of health professionals is seek the opinion of a doctor before taking any medication. However, we know that this is not always possible. Specific situations happen and it is not always possible to get an appointment so quickly.
In these cases, seek guidance from drugstores. Pharmacists are fully trained professionals to check for any risk of drug interactions with the medications you normally take and to advise you about possible side effects.
Another tip is to seek remote guidance from a doctor. Telemedicine is a very viable alternative and one of its functions is precisely to answer specific questions like these. Ask your trusted healthcare professional for information.
Now that you know the risks and dangers of self-medication and how this practice can be harmful to your health, don’t make mistakes: always follow the instructions of the professional responsible for your health care.