The dangers of self-medication.

Many patients place their trust in online doctor advice, self-medicating based on prescriptions from others or from their own experiences. This practice has negative consequences for the health of both patients and the community.

Doctors at the University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City examine a patient who suffered a stroke due to self-medication.

Bringing more illness upon yourself.

Recently, the University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City admitted and treated patient PNP (45 years old, residing in Can Tho City) suffering from rhinitis due to inappropriate medication use. Previously, patient P. frequently experienced nasal congestion and self-medicated with over-the-counter nasal drops. However, prolonged use without paying attention to dosage caused edema and degeneration of the mucous membrane, leading to nasal cavity blockage. Doctors performed surgery to remove excess mucous membrane in the nose and restore airflow to the nasal cavity. Dr. Ly Xuan Quang, Head of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department at the University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City, stated that due to the specific nature of ear, nose, and throat conditions, in addition to oral or injectable medications, topical medications such as sprays, inhalers, and ointments are also commonly used. However, the use of medication in treatment generally adheres to the principle of using the right medication, via the correct route of administration, at the correct dosage, and for the correct duration.

Previously, Tu Du Hospital also received and performed emergency surgery on patient NTTM (20 years old, residing in Nam Dinh province) who suffered complications after performing a self-induced abortion at home following instructions from "Dr. Google". Ms. M. stated that she had two children, both delivered by cesarean section. Due to the lack of resources to go to the hospital for an abortion, Ms. M. searched online for information about home abortions. Two weeks after the self-induced abortion, noticing her health deteriorating, Ms. M. decided to go to Dong Nai General Hospital for emergency treatment. She was initially diagnosed with suspected sepsis, pelvic abscess, severe anemia, and suspected uterine muscle rupture following a large-scale abortion performed outside the hospital. Ms. M. received two units of blood, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and was transferred to Tu Du Hospital.

Similarly, recently, the Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital has also received many cases of complications after chemical peels performed at home. Many people, after applying chemicals to their faces, experienced redness, swelling, blisters, vesicles, burns, etc., requiring intensive treatment with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and cosmetic procedures to restore the skin.

Take medication as prescribed by your doctor.

According to Dr. Nguyen Huu Tin, Department of Intensive Care, People's Hospital 115, self-medication can pose life-threatening risks in some situations. Many patients, after being cured by a doctor for a long time, experience a relapse with symptoms quite similar to before, leading them to self-medicate with old prescriptions; some even try to buy medication based on prescriptions from acquaintances. Even more alarming is the issue of self-medication based on information found online when experiencing health problems. “Many people search for information online, find cases with symptoms similar to their own, and buy medication based on online prescriptions without consulting a doctor. There have been numerous cases where patients self-medicated and subsequently had to be hospitalized, experiencing mild skin irritation and rashes, or severe cases such as fever and coma,” Dr. Nguyen Huu Tin shared.

According to Dr. Ly Xuan Quang, every body is different; no two people are alike, even those in the same family. A medication that works for one person may be dangerous for another. Patients need advice and prescriptions from doctors and pharmacists. Besides its therapeutic effects, medication can cause unwanted side effects. Doctors must weigh the benefits and risks of a medication when prescribing it. For children, special attention must be paid to the dosage; parents should not give medication to their children without a doctor's prescription. To avoid the risk of drug allergies, people should not self-medicate when ill, but should seek examination at specialized medical facilities to receive appropriate treatment and prescriptions, and strictly adhere to the treatment plan.

Go online to learn how to treat cancer.

According to Dr. Diep Bao Tuan, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, there is currently a lot of information about cancer on social media. Besides useful information for patients from medical facilities, there is also anecdotal information about unconventional treatment methods. Folk remedies, such as drinking papaya leaf tea or traditional medicines, have absolutely no scientific basis and are not beneficial to patients. Many cancer patients do not seek immediate treatment, following online advice to use various leaves or medicines, resulting in ineffective treatment. By the time they return to the hospital, the disease is often in a late stage and difficult to control.

THANH AN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/hiem-hoa-khi-tu-y-dung-thuoc-post761094.html