What to Be Aware of When It Comes to Medication
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What to Be Aware of When It Comes to Medication
Western medicine has developed to the extent that we are now able to treat a wide variety of illnesses with medication. There are quite literally thousands of different medications available to us, and new ones are being researched and developed all the time.
Not only is the amount of medications available huge, but the use of them is increasing all the time. The U.S., one of the world’s most medicated societies, spent $320 billion on prescription medications in 2011 – it’s plain to see that the use of medication is a huge industry.
Health professionals, pharmaceutical companies and providers are at the helm of a huge scientific ship that is being navigated throughout our lives. They can help us to heal and make a huge impact in the treatment of diseases. They are amazing, but what do we need to be aware of when using them?
Not only is the amount of medications available huge, but the use of them is increasing all the time. The U.S., one of the world’s most medicated societies, spent $320 billion on prescription medications in 2011 – it’s plain to see that the use of medication is a huge industry.
Health professionals, pharmaceutical companies and providers are at the helm of a huge scientific ship that is being navigated throughout our lives. They can help us to heal and make a huge impact in the treatment of diseases. They are amazing, but what do we need to be aware of when using them?
Medicine Manipulation
One of the biggest things to be aware of when it comes to medication is using them properly. These medications are chemically formulated with a great degree of precision, and many of them also have very powerful effects on the body.
For example, many people have an aversion to swallowing tablets and pills. This may be due to a medical issue such as dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) but could also be a simple psychological issue. Some illnesses such as cancer and certain forms of other diseases like diabetes, stroke or old age may cause dysphagia too.
This is not a problem in itself, but many patients choose to crush their tablets. This is called medicine manipulation and it can be very dangerous. Pills have a very precise mechanism of action and are designed to dissolve and distribute their active ingredients slowly. As a result, crushing a tablet can result in accidentally exceeding the recommended dosage – which can have very serious consequences if the medication is particularly powerful.
Pharmaceutical companies often create liquid medicines for those with difficulty swallowing tablets but the key is being responsible as a patient and declaring your difficulty to your doctor upon prescription. Medicine manipulation is very serious and can result in complications in many cases. As a result it is very important to be aware of medicine manipulation.
For example, many people have an aversion to swallowing tablets and pills. This may be due to a medical issue such as dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) but could also be a simple psychological issue. Some illnesses such as cancer and certain forms of other diseases like diabetes, stroke or old age may cause dysphagia too.
This is not a problem in itself, but many patients choose to crush their tablets. This is called medicine manipulation and it can be very dangerous. Pills have a very precise mechanism of action and are designed to dissolve and distribute their active ingredients slowly. As a result, crushing a tablet can result in accidentally exceeding the recommended dosage – which can have very serious consequences if the medication is particularly powerful.
Pharmaceutical companies often create liquid medicines for those with difficulty swallowing tablets but the key is being responsible as a patient and declaring your difficulty to your doctor upon prescription. Medicine manipulation is very serious and can result in complications in many cases. As a result it is very important to be aware of medicine manipulation.
Addiction
There is a danger of addiction that should not be overlooked. Some medications, particularly things like opiates in the treatment of pain, are physically addictive. This means that the body can become addicted to them without a psychological dependence.
If you are prescribed a drug, then this should be something you are aware of. With many pain medications it is very hard to determine an accurate dosage – as pain can be subjective. As a result the classic doctor saying “Take two of these and call me in the morning” might not apply and they will prescribe a more general amount of pills.
There can be confusion among patients when this occurs, the medication is to be taken when needed – and the full prescription may not be necessary to take. However, people often think they should take all of the medication they have been given as it is assumed it is necessary as a full course of treatment required for recovery.
This is not the case, and this simple misunderstanding can lead to addiction. It’s important to be aware of the power of prescription medication in particular.
If you are prescribed a drug, then this should be something you are aware of. With many pain medications it is very hard to determine an accurate dosage – as pain can be subjective. As a result the classic doctor saying “Take two of these and call me in the morning” might not apply and they will prescribe a more general amount of pills.
There can be confusion among patients when this occurs, the medication is to be taken when needed – and the full prescription may not be necessary to take. However, people often think they should take all of the medication they have been given as it is assumed it is necessary as a full course of treatment required for recovery.
This is not the case, and this simple misunderstanding can lead to addiction. It’s important to be aware of the power of prescription medication in particular.
Incorrect Prescriptions
Choosing the right drugs can be a challenge, many times a patient will say certain things about how they feel – but with the feelings being subjective it can be difficult to determine exactly what a patient needs.
It’s important to be able to describe medical conditions to your doctor accurately. You need to give all of your symptoms to your doctor in a very concise way so that they can determine the most appropriate form of treatment to you.
Many people are given the wrong drugs, and it’s partially medical negligence but also partially patient responsibility. In fact 1 in 12 older people are thought to be prescribed the wrong medicine. Usually doctors won’t take the risk with a powerful drug, but if it’s a relatively mild treatment for cough or flu then you may be able to get a more effective course of treatment by describing your symptoms more accurately.
It’s important to be able to describe medical conditions to your doctor accurately. You need to give all of your symptoms to your doctor in a very concise way so that they can determine the most appropriate form of treatment to you.
Many people are given the wrong drugs, and it’s partially medical negligence but also partially patient responsibility. In fact 1 in 12 older people are thought to be prescribed the wrong medicine. Usually doctors won’t take the risk with a powerful drug, but if it’s a relatively mild treatment for cough or flu then you may be able to get a more effective course of treatment by describing your symptoms more accurately.
Food
A lot of people take their medication on an empty stomach but many kinds of medication should be taken with a meal. This usually refers to tablets and pills.
Some medication can cause stomach irritation if not taken with a meal, which can in turn lead to vomiting which negates taking the medication in the first place. However it is also to delay the release of the medication and help it release gradually as opposed to all at once. This can enhance the effectiveness of the medication as it is released evenly throughout the natural process of digestion.
Other side effects of not taking a pill with food include constipation and nausea. It does depend on the particular medication however, with a variety of different contraindications it is advisable to talk to your doctor or look at the instructions that the medication comes with.
Some medication can cause stomach irritation if not taken with a meal, which can in turn lead to vomiting which negates taking the medication in the first place. However it is also to delay the release of the medication and help it release gradually as opposed to all at once. This can enhance the effectiveness of the medication as it is released evenly throughout the natural process of digestion.
Other side effects of not taking a pill with food include constipation and nausea. It does depend on the particular medication however, with a variety of different contraindications it is advisable to talk to your doctor or look at the instructions that the medication comes with.
Timing
Certain types of medication need to be taken at certain times. In addition to this, many need to be taken regularly. It is thought that the right timing makes drugs more effective.
Most medications, particularly non-prescription medication, will have instructions to tell you when the best time to take them is, if there is a best time of course. The vast majority will need to be taken either in the morning or the evening. It may sound obvious, but medication for the treatment of insomnia will need to be taken in the evening as it will work in such a way that it makes you drowsy.
Some medication has contraindications including drowsiness lethargy and many others. As a result, you should check them and consult your doctor. It’s important to be aware of the timing of medication and also what the contraindications are. Allergy medication is better taken in the morning.
Most medications, particularly non-prescription medication, will have instructions to tell you when the best time to take them is, if there is a best time of course. The vast majority will need to be taken either in the morning or the evening. It may sound obvious, but medication for the treatment of insomnia will need to be taken in the evening as it will work in such a way that it makes you drowsy.
Some medication has contraindications including drowsiness lethargy and many others. As a result, you should check them and consult your doctor. It’s important to be aware of the timing of medication and also what the contraindications are. Allergy medication is better taken in the morning.
Medication Awareness
There’s no point in taking any chances when it comes to your health. So make sure you have a good approach when it comes to awareness of the ins and outs of medication in order to make sure that it not only works properly, but is more effective and safe.
Thank you for reading. Please do let me know what you think; I’d love to know if you have anything at all to add. Also, please look at the rest of my work on Instructables. I would recommend viewing “How Can Fashion Designers Slip Seamlessly Into The Online World?”
I write a lot, so add me to your circles on Google+ for all the latest.
Thank you for reading. Please do let me know what you think; I’d love to know if you have anything at all to add. Also, please look at the rest of my work on Instructables. I would recommend viewing “How Can Fashion Designers Slip Seamlessly Into The Online World?”
I write a lot, so add me to your circles on Google+ for all the latest.