Our people swallow medicine more than rice.

"'That doctor's medicine is no good... This ONE SHOT doctor is the best, he gives you a whole bag of medicine!' - This story is probably familiar to you too, right? It's true that when you get sick, you want a quick cure. But what is that pill, syrup, or injection we use? For what purpose are we using it? Do we think we are using it correctly?"

Why does a doctor prescribe medicine? Three uses of the 'weapon' called medicine!

Doctors use this powerful tool called medicine in more than one way. It has three main purposes:

Like beating and driving away an enemy (Cure): Imagine that an enemy, like a germ, has entered the body. Some medicines (e.g., antibiotics ) are like soldiers who beat the enemy, drive it out of the body, and completely cure the disease.

Like controlling a struggling animal (Manage): There are some diseases (like diabetes , blood pressure, epilepsy , and arthritis ) that are like a difficult animal to tame. Although medication cannot completely eliminate that 'animal', it can be controlled, prevented from struggling, and stopped from causing major damage (complications). That is why you can take this medicine for the rest of your life and live a normal life with the disease.

Like building a fence ( Prevent ): This is the wisest thing to do. Blocking the road before the disease comes. Vaccines given in childhood protect against dangerous diseases that may come in the future. Similarly, medicines given before traveling to a place where malaria is present prevent the disease from developing once you get there. It is like building a protective wall without allowing the disease to spread.

But... you need to look at the other side of the coin too! (Risks and side effects)

Even though medication can provide such great help, we must also be aware of the other side of it.

Side Effects : Like all medications, there may be some minor side effects. Common ones include dizziness, nausea, and body aches .

Toxicity: If the dose of a medicine is increased, it can be toxic to the body. For example, taking too much paracetamol can damage the liver.

What happens to our friends in the body: When we regularly take antibiotics, not only do they kill the germs that cause illness, but they also kill the good bacteria in our intestines that help us digest food.

Allergies and Intolerance: Some people have a severe reaction to even small amounts of certain medications. They itch, have red rashes, swell their lips/eyes, and in the worst case, have difficulty breathing, and can even die from anaphylactic shock! Even if the problem has gone away before, a new allergy can occur at any time. Changes in genes also change the response.

Risks of long-term use: When you take medication for years, your body gets used to it, and your hormonal system changes. Stopping the medication suddenly can be dangerous. Also, continuing to take some medications can lead to new illnesses like diabetes, joint pain, and damage to nerve cells and kidney cells.

Drug Interactions: When several medications are taken together, they can interact with each other, increasing side effects or increasing/decreasing the effectiveness of one medication. Taking medication with alcohol is also very dangerous.

So, how do you use medication wisely?

Ask the Doctor!: Don't be afraid to ask questions - "What is this for?", "How do I take it?", "What are the side effects?", "How long does it last?".

Understand what the doctor is thinking: He or she is prescribing a medicine because the patient needs it, and after considering whether the dosage is right and the method of administration is right.

Not a lot of medicine, but the right medicine: It is useless to take a lot of medicine, take what is necessary. Simply asking for a lot of medicine will only add unnecessary burden to the body.

Don't panic and ask for medicine before you get sick: Sometimes we see parents who, when the eldest child in the house has a cold, fear that the younger one will also get the same illness, ask for medicine for him. But a doctor gives medicine to treat the illness when it occurs. Simply giving medicine only leads to unnecessary medication being taken into the body. It is not wise to panic and ask for medicine for everything.

Don't take other people's medicine!: Medicine given to a friend or relative may not work for you.

Do as the doctor says:The full time, the exact dose. Don't stop at random.

Your responsibility: Tell your doctor about any allergies you have and any other medications you are taking. Work with your doctor to improve your health.

Medicine alone is not enough - the true foundation of health!

We may think that we are healthy and less sick because of medicine, but the truth is much bigger than that. Improvements in our living standards, education, food, and cleanliness are also a big reason for our health.

Therefore, before thinking about medicine for a disease, we should think about preventing the disease. That is the first step. Medicine is needed only if a disease occurs. If it can be prevented, how much does it matter?

What if you put a cigarette aside?: It's like closing the door to the enemy called cancer.

Getting a little exercise every day? (Exercise): It's the greatest gift you can give your heart. It's like building a fence against heart attacks.

Drinking plenty of water, eating leafy greens, and eating foods high in fiber (whole grains, vegetables, and fruits) are the best defenses against diseases like colon cancer.

Free medicine and our responsibility

It is a great thing and a great relief that the government in our country provides a lot of medicine for free. But sometimes we see, and that is why, people who come to clinics and hospitals for even the smallest things. Although medicine is an essential thing, it is not something that is always needed. We should all learn to use government resources and our health wisely, right?

Take-Home Message:

Medicine is a valuable thing that saves lives and provides healing. But it is not a toy. The next time you pick up a medicine, think twice, ask a doctor, know exactly what you are taking, and use it as directed. Your health is in your hands!