Self-medication

Letter January 28, 2023
Self-medication

KARACHI:

Self-medication refers to the use of medicines to treat self-diagnosed symptoms or conditions. Many people are not aware of most diseases, their causes and their effects, yet they resort to self-treatment instead of consulting a specialist.

Despite an active dengue outbreak these days, people are still following traditional norms. Instead of seeing a doctor, they continue to give their patients papaya leaf nectar, which can be dangerous as it causes diarrhoea and vomiting in dehydrated dengue patients. Self-medication increases the risk of incorrect doses or using drugs for longer than necessary. It can intensify an underlying condition, which may become dangerous over time. It also leads to severe medical complications including harmful symptoms.

The dearth of doctors in rural and remote areas has compelled people to self-medicate. The healthcare department should ensure the availability of proper healthcare support in all areas and inform people of the dangers of self-medication through an awareness campaign.

Abdul Qadir Baloch

Kech

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2023.

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