Many medications and medical discoveries have been lifesaving, but the dangers of misuse and overuse of prescription drugs are often forgotten. This often leads to treating the symptoms, without halting or reversing the disease process. It may be a reluctance on the part of the patient or the doctor to make or recommend the changes needed. In other cases, it is a lack of belief in the powerful effect lifestyle change can have on the disease process. Pay close attention to these tips and see which ones apply to you or someone you know. Take action to avoid unnecessary risk to your health. If you are not sure what the names of your medications are or what they are for, make an appointment with your doctor and bring all your medications in a bag. Make a list of what pills you take and what they are for, to keep with you at all times. - Avoid using medication to treat a "disease" that is really just a side effect of another medication. For example, using medication to treat constipation from narcotic pain medications.
- Do not use medication for a problem that could be first treated with lifestyle change. For example, insomnia, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, obesity, and many many more.
- Never treat a viral infection or other infections that will resolve on their own with time. The medication and all its side effects accomplish nothing, only putting you at increased risk.
Dr. Amy Mullen | - Be sure you and your doctor know all your drug allergies each time you get a prescription.
- If you are an older adult, have impaired renal function, small or underweight for your height, or have other medical problems, your excretion of any medication may be decreased and you could end up with a toxic level of that medication in your blood.
- The more medications you are on, the more likely they are to interact with each other. Get off any unnecessary medications with the help of your doctor. This is especially true for the elderly.
The best option, is always to consider lifestyle change before starting a medication for chronic disease. You may never be able to come off the medication once started. If you are already on medication, do not stop without your doctor's support! You can still begin the lifestyle change and wait for the results to show before reducing your medication doses or stopping as the need diminishes. (Once again, only with the supervision of your doctor.) |
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