DANGERS OF SELF - MEDICATION
· We often pop pills for common ailments without bothering to consult a doctor.
· Self-medication of Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, such as pain relievers, cough remedies, anti-allergies, laxatives, antibiotics, antacids and vitamins, could cause drug reactions, allergic reactions, risk of stroke, damage to organs and even addiction, due to wrong diagnosis, incorrect dosage, indiscriminate usage, and habituation.
· Self-medication may suppress the symptoms of an illness temporarily, but could become difficult for a doctor to correctly diagnose and treat later, prolonging recovery from the illness.
· Regular self-medication, especially of OTC antibiotics, could lead to antimicrobial resistance.
· Excessive use of OTC vitamins can cause vitamin poisoning (hypervitaminosis).
· Some antibiotics such as penicillin or sulpha drugs can cause fatal allergic reactions in the body.
· Some herbal drugs and medicines may cause harmful drug-to-drug interactions in the body.
· The most often used painkillers can induce gastritis and increase risk of strokes.
· You could also become addicted to antacids, cough syrups and pain relievers.
· Self-medication by pregnant women could harm the unborn child causing congenital anomalies and birth defects.