Don't think that medication cannot cause illness
It is often said that medicine is a double-edged sword. Medicine can cure diseases, but it can also cause illness. Like any other thing, medications also have a dual nature. While they are used to treat diseases and have preventive effects, they often also cause some toxic side effects. For example, a moderate supplement of vitamin A can prevent and treat night blindness, but long-term excessive intake, such as taking more than 10,000 units per day for six months, can cause chronic poisoning.
This kind of illness caused by excessive dosage or improper use of medication is called drug-induced illness.
Don't use medication irrationally
To achieve rational use of medication and avoid toxic side effects caused by irrational use of medication, attention should be paid to the following aspects.
1. The human body has functions such as immunity, defense, adaptation, metabolism, and compensation. Some mild diseases can often heal without medication through the body's own resistance. These diseases include temporary fatigue caused by overwork, muscle soreness, nasal congestion, and headache caused by occasional cold. If a disease can be cured with one medication, there is no need to take multiple medications. Generally speaking, the more types of medications used and the longer the duration, the stronger the toxic side effects. The misconception of "taking medication whenever uncomfortable" and "the more medication, the faster the recovery" must be dispelled.
2. Do not abuse medications. Only with a clear diagnosis and a comprehensive understanding of the properties of medications can appropriate treatment be given. Blindly using antipyretics, antibiotics, or other medications for symptoms of unknown causes not only fails to achieve the desired treatment effect, but also delays treatment and may even cause adverse reactions. According to reports, 2%-5% of patients admitted to internal medicine departments are diagnosed with diseases caused by medication abuse. The use of new medications should be cautious, and reactions after taking new medications should be monitored.
3. When taking multiple medications due to medical conditions, reasonable compatibility should be ensured to prevent pharmacological and physicochemical incompatibilities.
4. Strictly follow the prescribed dosage and administration time given by the doctor. Do not arbitrarily increase or decrease the dosage, and do not stop taking medication without authorization.
5. When taking medication, consider the differences in age, gender, and physical condition. Elderly people, pregnant women, children, and patients with impaired liver and kidney function should use medication with caution and avoid drugs that may cause allergic reactions.
