The Dangers of Self-Medicating

CEBU, Philippines —  Many people won’t see a doctor at once when feeling ill. They wait and see, hoping that the discomfort will just go away. Or, they take medications on their own.

Of course, seeing a doctor would entail some cost and inconvenience. One has to ‘dress up’ to make the trip to the doctor’s clinic. And there’s the doctor’s fee for the checkup.

But one’s health is worth all the cost and the inconvenience there is. The symptoms of an illness or physical discomfort shall not be taken lightly. These can impact on one’s quality of life – a slight symptom can be a hint of something serious that may be remedied effectively if attended to soon enough by an expert.

True, everyone often gets away with self-medication. There are always over-the-counter drugs available. Or, previously prescribed medication may still do. Unfortunately, there are consequences associated with self-medicating that are just not worth the risks.

The website www.alternativesintreatment.com states that it is always best to discuss symptoms and physical ailments with a trained medical professional. Getting a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan is the best way to avoid any complications or health risks, the website adds.

Self-medication refers to the practice of using prescription or over-the-counter drugs without first discussing one’s symptoms with a medical doctor. The person acts as his or her own physician in handling the symptoms of a health concern. Aside from monetary cost and inconvenience in consulting a doctor, fear of medical diagnosis is also a common reason for one to self-medicate.

The practice has its dangers. The www.alternativesintreatment.com website points out that an untrained individual may use a substance inappropriately. Ordinary individuals do not have the training to identify the underlying cause of their symptoms.

Depending on the situation, the website says, the risks associated with self-medication can vary; but some risks that are quite common, including: inaccurate diagnosis, using inappropriate medications that cause side effects, masking the symptoms of a serious condition, delaying medical advice, inaccurate dosage that leads to accidental overdose, mixing medications that are not safe to mix, risk of abuse, and risk of developing an addiction or several addictions.

In the worst-case scenario, the website warns, self-medicating can lead to severe health conditions or even death. Anyone experiencing pain, discomfort, or is ill for an extended period of time must see a medical doctor.

The website explains that a medical doctor is trained to accurately diagnose the ailment and provide an appropriate medication to treat a particular condition or diagnosis. Thus, the person with a physical complaint shall explain all of his or her symptoms to the doctor, and allow the doctor to analyze the details and draw up an appropriate treatment plan.

Even someone who may have some medical training may not have to self-medicate his or her own symptoms. The one suffering from the discomfort is not likely to be very objective in deciding on his or her own treatment.  There is a saying: “It’s hard to have a clear view ot the picture if you are the one inside the frame.