What is self-medication and how can it be unhealthy for your health?

What is Self-medication?

Self-medication is a practice in which patients consume medicines without the recommendation of a physician or a pharmacist.

Self-medication refers to the practice of individuals diagnosing and treating their own health conditions without consulting a healthcare professional. It involves the use of over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, or even prescription drugs obtained without a doctor's guidance.

When does a patient self-medicate?

• A patient might be taking medicines from his old prescriptions.
• A patient might be thinking that medicine will be suitable to cure a particular issue
• He might have seen a friend or relative taking the same medicine for a similar disease or health issue.

This practice can lead to serious health issues and could be even fatal.

Why does a patient self-medicate?

There might be many reasons a patient might be practicing self-medication. A person might have more than one reason causing him to self-medicate. These are as follows:

• Previous prescriptions for the same medical issue
• Lack of money to visit a doctor
• Time availability
• Long distances and unavailability of a health facility
• Fear of a doctor’s visit

Explanation of the reasons for self-medication

Previous or old prescription for the same medical issue

A patient might have a similar health problem as he assumes that the same medicine may resolve his problem.

For example, a person might have experienced an allergic reaction in previous times. Now, if he encounters some allergic reaction in his body, he will think it will be a good idea to use the old prescription from my experience rather than go to the physician again.

Lack of money to visit a doctor

Sometimes we might encounter a money crisis. We may not afford a visit to a doctor. We may not be able to pay a fee to the health practitioner. Sometimes medicines are out of our reach so we prefer to consume old purchased medicines from our wardrobe.

Time availability

When we are busy people and we cannot take a break from our work, we prefer to ignore our health issues and try to solve our health issues by self-medicating.

Long distance (from a hospital or a clinic) and unavailability of a health facility

A person might be living in a rural area and there may not be as many medical facilities. A patient might have left just one option and that is self-medication.

Fear of a doctor's visit

Sometimes a person might be afraid of a doctor’s visit. He might be avoiding going to the clinic or a hospital just because of his doctor's fever

How is self-medication dangerous to health?

Self-medication is a health concern. People are taking medicines without the recommendation of a valid physician all over the world. Over the counter Drugs may cause serious health problems as follows:

• People may diagnose their health issues wrong. A patient may assume they are facing health issues similar to their reference issue.
• People may choose the wrong medicines.
• Patients may select the wrong dosage. They might need less quantity or more quantity of medicine.
• The patient might have selected the wrong dosage form. One patient needs a liquid dosage form but the other a solid dosage form.
• The wrong route of administration may be a mistake by a self-medicating patient. They might need an Intravenous route but might be taking it orally.
• A patient may choose the wrong time to take a medicine. Many medicines are supposed to be taken before food. But some medicines need to be taken in between meals.

Misdiagnosis:

One of the significant dangers of self-medication is misdiagnosis. Without proper medical training and expertise, individuals may inaccurately diagnose their condition. This can lead to treating the wrong illness or ignoring underlying health issues that require professional attention. Delayed or incorrect diagnoses can result in worsening symptoms, complications, or even life-threatening situations.

Ineffective treatment:

Self-medication often involves using over-the-counter drugs or remedies that may not be suitable for a specific health condition. Different conditions require different medications, dosages, and treatment durations. Without professional guidance, individuals may choose inappropriate or ineffective treatments, leading to inadequate symptom relief or prolonged illness.

Drug interactions:

Many medications have the potential to interact with each other, altering their effectiveness or causing harmful side effects. When individuals self-medicate, they may not be aware of potential drug interactions between the substances they are taking. This can result in adverse reactions, unexpected side effects, or even toxicity due to drug interactions that could have been prevented with proper medical supervision.

Masking symptoms:

Self-medication can provide temporary relief by alleviating symptoms without addressing the underlying cause. By suppressing symptoms without a proper diagnosis and treatment, individuals may inadvertently mask or delay the identification of a serious health condition. This can lead to delayed intervention and necessary medical care, potentially allowing the condition to progress unchecked.

Addiction and dependency:

Certain medications, even over-the-counter drugs, can be habit-forming or addictive. Self-medication increases the risk of misusing or abusing medications, especially those with addictive properties. Over time, this can lead to dependence, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and substance use disorders.

Lack of monitoring:

Self-medication typically lacks professional monitoring and follow-up. Regular check-ups, diagnostic tests, and adjustments to medication dosages are essential aspects of managing certain health conditions. Without medical supervision, individuals may fail to monitor their health appropriately, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention, treatment optimization, or necessary adjustments.

Delayed professional care: 

Relying solely on self-medication may cause individuals to delay seeking professional healthcare. Some conditions require timely medical attention to prevent complications or serious consequences. Depending on self-diagnosis and self-treatment may result in delays in accessing appropriate medical care, leading to worsened health outcomes.

Conclusion

To conclude, it is better to consult a valid physician or a pharmacist rather than to self-medicate.

It is important to note that self-medication should be avoided for significant or chronic health conditions. It is always advisable to consult a qualified healthcare professional who can provide an accurate diagnosis, personalized treatment plans, and necessary medical advice to ensure the best possible health outcomes.