Self Medication: People’s Perspective.

So this article will be in two parts. The first which I will be treating now will dwell on people’s perspective. The one to come next will be Health Specialists’ Perspective.

PART  A

Self-medication has cut so many promising lives short. That has not discouraged people from practicing it.  The big question is WHY?

To begin with, what is self medication? To a layman’s understanding, it is when you self-diagnose yourself and use drugs on your own will with a purpose without consulting any specialist.
In the practical sense, it means, you get sick, rather than visit a health specialist so that you can be diagnosed and necessary drug be prescribed to you, you stay home and do all processes all by yourself.
So many factors make people to imbibe in self-medication. I took my time to ask lots of people to tell me their opinion on self-medication, and the reason why they engage in it rather than visit a pharmacist.

“Self medication is good and we all practice it. You have a slight headache and rush to the hospital?? Why? What you can just take Paracetamol for and you will be perfectly okay? Do you know that there are some headaches that you do not even need to visit hospital for? All you need is too rest and you will be perfectly fine. But you know, Pharmacists and doctors will tell you self-medication is bad. You know the reason? If everyone starts engaging in self-prescription, they (health specialists) will be out of business.”

“Self medication is good only when you are familiar with the symptom(s) of the ailment you have, if you are not familiar with it, my brother, run to Hospital oooo”.

I think I quite buy the idea. If you are familiar with the symptoms, treat yourself, otherwise, rush to a hospital.
Wait a sec. Some ailments do have the same symptom. What do you do in this case? For example, Headache is a sign of many ailments. Oh, I’m no more buying that idea, it’s wicked.

“Sometimes, even Doctors get it wrong. It is always helpful to make your own personal research, and sometimes, challenge their (specialists) knowledge in a respective manner. When you have certain symptoms it’s always helpful to Google it before going in to see the Doc. That way, you have a little bit of information when he is discussing with you or if the doctor diagnoses certain illness, you should make your own personal research too. Check again with the pharmacist any medication to be sure you have the right need for what is diagnosed.” I have to cut in here. I’m totally buying this idea and it’s final. Continuation “ I took one of the kids once to see Doc and their prescription was for hears instead of mouth, it was only because i asked at Pharmacy that I went back an she corrected her mistake.”
So, that’s it. Different strokes for different folks. And people learn more from experience. I believe people have their reasons for doing whatever they do. The last opinion above stresses that self medication/diagnose is bad, but that you shouldn't trust the specialist 100% as you have your own assignment to do as well.
People also have various kinds of allergies, you have to read or check with the doc or pharmacist the medicine does not consist those things you're allergic to, don't assume they know you know yourself better than anyone else.
And to the Nigerian factor, I feel peoples self medicate because it takes time to book an appointment with your Doctor. It takes a lot of of time to see a Doctor here unlike in developed countries.

So, what is your opinion on Self Medication?

Remember the other part is coming, from Specialists’ perspective.

Happy Weekend :)