Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

`Don't self-medicate'

Follow your doctor's instructions, pleads Dr. Raymond Dominic Savio

Dr. Raymond Dominic Savio

It's sad that patients are not serious enough about their health. It used to anger me even as a junior doctor. But today, having seen many instances of negligence by patients, it does not shock me any more.

I've come across patients who abuse medicines. They buy medicines without consulting doctors and play with their health. When they want to get rid of pain, they take painkillers without seeking medical advice. More pain, and more painkillers are popped. They do not take the trouble to find out the cause for pain.

Remember, a number of drugs come with complications. So, they should not be taken unnecessarily. I have seen that a major cause of renal disorders among ICU patients is self (read `wrong') medication. Abusing medicines affects the quality of your life. It leads to complications such as loss of weight, anaemia or depression. Another cause for concern is the availability of medicines over the counter in some pharmacies. If one pharmacist refuses, people will walk over to the next and get the medicines they want. After all, it's business for the pharmacists!

People's callousness towards their health frustrates me. Experience has made me realise that it is a sheer waste of energy to ask people to follow the doctor's advice. When we ask patients to come back for a review, many don't turn up. They give us lame excuses such as "I had a wedding to attend" or "My relatives came over". Is your health secondary to all this?

Another common problem is discontinuing medicines without completing the prescribed course. Perhaps, due to the fear of expenses. But don't forget, this will lead to more complications and further expenses!

In our country, we also have a lot of alternative healing therapies. Take your pick if you must, but stick to one. Do not keep hopping from one method to another or from one doctor to another. A cocktail of treatments will only leave you confused and physically and emotionally sick!

SOUND OFF! is a weekly space for you to rant, applaud or talk about anything on your mind. Write to metro@thehindu.co.in telling us a little about yourself (with address and phone number), and you may get a chance to sound off!

AS TOLD TO ASHA S. MENON

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail