Self-medication, a double-edged weapon

According to Frans Serpa, director of the transplantation department of the Metropolitan Hospital, self-medication can soothe symptoms up to hide a serious pathology, as for example, those patients who self-medicate to relieve stomach pain, but in this affliction they can hide a gastritis.

“The pills only relieve discomfort, so there is a risk of generating a stomach cancer if the affection is not treated in time with a specialist”. Indicates the doctor, who adds that another dangerous case is the abuse of anti-inflammatory drugs, since their constant use can cause kidney failure.

Doctor  Ramiro Yepez, specialist in otolaryngology, indicates that consumption without prescription of some antibiotics makes bacteria resistant because the patient must receive them only in case they need it and with the dose prescribed by a professional, because in case of not taking an appropriate dose, bacteria just get numb and don’t disappear, and then when patients come to the hospital not even the strongest antibiotics (fourth generation) take effect on the patient.

Many people resort to self-medication due to economic factors, as attention in some health centres is not always effective and people should go to a private medical practice, whose costs vary from $10 to $60, but the remedy can be more expensive than the disease, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the costs associated with adverse reactions of drugs outweigh the cost of drugs.

Currently, the National Assembly discussed the new health code, and Art. 80 indicates that the health authority will regulate “advertising for drugs, avoiding the distortion of the basic and specific function of drugs, and shall ensure that the medication management is carried out by trained health professionals”.

What professionals recommend in the case that the person can not go immediately to the doctor, not go to a pharmacy but opt  for home remedies, like water of oregano for stomach pain. In the case of self-medication is important to tell the doctor the type of medicines  taken in order to make treatment more effective.