Harmful Effects of Self-Medication
The Danger of Self-Medicating: A Growing Threat
The danger is increasing by taking medicine at will, death is happening! Why? Calcutta seniors under the medical council’s eye.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducted a study. It showed that 28 out of every 100 senior citizens fall ill. The research highlights the vulnerability of the elderly to illness. They become sick after taking the wrong medicine without consulting a doctor. Loss of life is also happening.
In case of fever-stomach ache-headache, one or two days’ worth of medicine is bought. Once the problem is resolved, medication seems unnecessary. As a result, the drug is stopped without completing the course. It would seem that it is not possible to go to a doctor who does such work. But that is not right. Not only those who are financially backward, but many of the financially well-off groups are doing the same. And the number of elderly among them is more. Recently the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) published a survey report on this. That’s where the information comes out. They showed that 28 out of every 100 senior citizens fall ill. They take the wrong medicine without consulting a doctor. Deaths are also happening from it. The survey is being conducted in 6 major cities of the country, one of which is Kolkata. Apart from this, preliminary surveys have been started in Delhi, Chennai, Guwahati, and Ujjain. ICMR said that the survey will be conducted in other cities after this. The research organization claims that the elderly continue to do so knowing that there is enough risk to self-medicate. Another very unscientific way is to look up the name of the drug on the internet and consume it. Most people don’t care if the medicine will cure the disease or if it will have any side effects. Why the a tendency to take drugs at will in the elderly? Doctors are really worried about this. Gerontologist Dhiresh Chowdhury told Anandabazar Online, “A major hindrance to going to the hospital when sick is the time spent. Common people have to spend the whole day going to Kakbhor. They go there to get treatment at city-based government hospitals. This results in a loss of income. And the cost of private hospitals is unlimited. That’s why the elderly think it is easy to take medicine by themselves. They know the name of the medicine. I have also seen that not only cold, and fever, but also thyroid, hypertension, and diabetes medicines are bought by the elderly. He is reducing and increasing the dose of medicine at will. There are socio-economic reasons behind such trends. If you look carefully, you will understand that many elderly people live alone in the city of Kolkata. Others live alone in various districts of the state. Maybe a couple or a single 60-something man or woman. Children are away due to work. They do not manage to make regular time for their parents even if they are close. There is no one to take these senior citizens to the doctor on time for health check-ups, to give medicines. Who will take them to the hospital if they suddenly get sick at home? They are medicating themselves from this thought. Know the names of thousands of medicines for ailments like fever-cold or stomach upset. Apart from that, you can easily find the names of medicines for major diseases. You can also search for treatment techniques with a little effort on the internet. With everything becoming so accessible, such a trend is also on the rise. There is one more thing. Many people buy medicine by looking at the old prescription given by the doctor. Those who have the disease like the medicine given by the doctor. They buy and consume it repeatedly. They also buy and eat it at the desired dosage. Doctor Arunanshu Talukder agrees. He said that the patient goes to the doctor once and brings the medicine. Yet, the patient does not go back to show his report. The number of elderly people is high here. As a result, most people do not realize the dosage of the medicine changes once the disease is cured. As a result, they started buying the medicine in the same dosage in which the medicine was first given. In this way ‘resistance’ is created in the body against that particular drug. As a result, the medicine no longer works in the body or its side effects start. According to the doctor, the fault lies not only with the drug buyers but also with the sellers. Medicines are sold without any valid prescription in most places. There are lumps at the base but more. Educated Bengalis had a custom of practicing homeopathy. Apart from Ayurveda, Kabiraji treatment techniques and drug names are now available on the internet. Many people initially take allopathy medicines and then start homeopathy. And he started taking that medicine without knowing how it worked and how much to take. Medicine doctor Pushpita Mondal gave some more information about this. In his words, many elderly patients say that when they go to the doctor, they unnecessarily prescribe extra medicines. They let them test this and that. It wastes both time and money. It is better to buy the medicine yourself. Such a mentality is increasing the danger. A doctor’s advice should be drafted. This includes what drugs can be used for which diseases and which drugs are redundant. It should also cover when to do an antibiotic test or when not to give a drug without a test. Health services must be enhanced to protect the elderly. There are now many organizations across the state through which geriatric caregivers can be contacted. Starting from routine checkup, admission to hospital, regular visits there, discharge by showing mediclaim papers and many more. Such organizations must come forth and play an effective role. Self-medication is becoming a silent epidemic, with millions of people worldwide consuming medications without medical supervision. While it may seem like a convenient and cost-effective solution, the reality is far more alarming. Unsupervised drug use can lead to severe health complications, drug resistance, organ damage, and even death.Why Are People Self-Medicating?
Lack of Time and Resources
Many individuals, especially the elderly, self-medicate due to long waiting times at hospitals or the high costs associated with private healthcare. Instead of seeking medical advice, they rely on old prescriptions or recommendations from friends and family.Easy Availability of Drugs
With medications readily available over-the-counter (OTC) and online, people are more inclined to purchase drugs without proper medical consultation. The internet further fuels this issue, offering quick-fix solutions that often do more harm than good.Misinformation and Overconfidence
Many individuals believe they have enough knowledge to diagnose and treat themselves. The accessibility of medical information online has increased this tendency, leading people to take medications without understanding their side effects or interactions.The Harmful Effects of Self-Medication
1. Incorrect Diagnosis Leading to Severe Health Issues
When individuals self-diagnose, they often misinterpret symptoms, leading to incorrect medication choices. This can cause complications and even worsen the actual condition.Example: Masking Severe Illnesses
A person experiencing chronic headaches may take painkillers, ignoring the possibility of an underlying issue like a brain tumor or hypertension. By masking symptoms instead of addressing the root cause, self-medication can delay proper treatment and lead to dire consequences.2. Antibiotic Resistance: A Silent Killer
One of the most critical dangers of self-medication is antibiotic resistance. People often misuse antibiotics by taking incorrect dosages or stopping treatment prematurely, allowing bacteria to develop resistance. This makes future infections harder to treat and increases the risk of fatal illnesses.Case Study: India’s Growing Resistance Problem
A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) revealed that 28 out of every 100 senior citizens fall ill due to incorrect medication. Many of these cases involve antibiotics taken without a doctor’s prescription, contributing to antibiotic resistance in India.3. Drug Interactions: A Dangerous Gamble
Mixing medications without medical guidance can lead to dangerous drug interactions. Certain drugs, when taken together, can either neutralize each other’s effects or amplify side effects, leading to serious health complications.Common Risky Combinations:
- Painkillers and Blood Thinners: Can cause excessive bleeding.
- Antidepressants and Migraine Medications: May lead to serotonin syndrome, a life-threatening condition.
- Diabetes Medications and Alcohol: Can result in dangerously low blood sugar levels.
4. Organ Damage Due to Prolonged Drug Use
Many self-medicated drugs can cause damage to vital organs when used over a long period. The liver and kidneys, responsible for filtering toxins, are particularly vulnerable to damage from excessive drug use.Examples of Organ Damage:
- Liver Damage: Painkillers like paracetamol, when overused, can cause liver failure.
- Kidney Damage: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can harm kidney function over time.
- Heart Issues: Unregulated use of stimulants or blood pressure medications can lead to cardiovascular complications.
5. Mental Health Risks
Self-medication for mental health issues is particularly dangerous. Many individuals take sleeping pills, anti-anxiety drugs, or antidepressants without medical supervision, leading to dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and worsening mental health conditions.Psychological Effects of Self-Medication:
- Increased anxiety and depression.
- Dependency and addiction to certain drugs.
- Hallucinations and mood disorders due to incorrect dosages.
6. Delayed Professional Treatment
Self-medication often leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Many individuals avoid seeking medical help, assuming their symptoms are under control. However, this can result in the worsening of undiagnosed conditions.Real-Life Example:
Many elderly people in Kolkata continue taking thyroid or diabetes medication based on old prescriptions without reassessing their dosage with a doctor. This leads to complications due to incorrect dosages, potentially worsening their condition over time.The Rising Threat Among the Elderly
Why Are Senior Citizens More Prone to Self-Medication?
Elderly individuals are more likely to self-medicate due to socio-economic and logistical challenges. Many live alone or rely on old prescriptions, believing they understand their conditions well enough to manage them independently.Contributing Factors:
- Financial constraints and inability to afford repeated doctor visits.
- Dependence on outdated prescriptions for chronic conditions.
- Lack of family support for regular health check-ups.
- Influence of homeopathy, Ayurveda, and alternative medicine practices.
The Role of Pharmacies and Online Drug Sales
Pharmacies and online drug sellers also contribute to the rise in self-medication. Many sell medications without a valid prescription, making it easier for people to access drugs without professional consultation.Necessary Reforms:
- Stricter regulations on the sale of prescription drugs.
- Awareness campaigns highlighting the dangers of self-medication.
- Encouraging routine health check-ups, especially for senior citizens.
