The Dangers of Over-medication

The threat of disease seems to increase with each month. We are constantly reminded that we must protect ourselves from cancer, AIDS, and other terminal illnesses. Our pharmacists would like us to think that taking chronic and over-the-counter medications are the only way to combat the onset of these potential dangers; however, Americans are being grossly misled.

We are continuously bombarded with advertisements in the media, from our doctors, and from our politicians that claim drugs are the only way to stay safe from disease. This is false. Though it may be comforting to think that taking a pill will make our troubles go away, this is not the reality.

The Reality

We often forget that our bodies have a remarkable capacity to keep themselves alive. Inside us is a system which acts as our own internal pharmacist, developing new and natural drugs that fight disease. This system is called the immune system, and it is more sophisticated than any human you can pay to give you medications.

Unfortunately, your immune system can only battle disease if it has practice. If a large number of the illnesses you develop are cured by foreign remedies, then your immune system will not have the experience to combat more sophisticated viruses. Sadly, the only way for us to get better is to sometimes allow ourselves to get sick.

In fact, the more medicine you use, the more your immune system is tricked into finding ways to prevent them from doing their job. In effect, your immune system will fight the cures instead of the diseases!

What Medicine Can Do

This is not to say that medicine should be done away with or that it is harmful to us. Medicine is a useful tool if used sparingly. Too often, when we get sick, do we feel the need to apply a remedy rather than letting our bodies take care of themselves.

When Isn’t Medication Necessary?

There are three rules of thumb to consider before introducing a new drug into your system.

1. Be Skeptical

   Ask yourself, “Is this serious enough for me to resort to medication?” “Is this a sickness that I will probably get over anyway?” Really think these questions through before turning to pills. The fewer pills you take, the better.

2. Validate The Diagnosis

   For syndromes like ADD, there are no clear-cut symptoms that are testable. Instead, doctors are forced to give their best guess as to whether the disorder is present. Be doubtful of these diagnoses. Hold off on taking medication unless you find it absolutely necessary.

3. Check For Side Effects

   Many times the side effects can be worse than the illness itself. Mirapex, for example, a medicine used to combat Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), may cause dizziness, nausea, the risk of falling asleep while performing acts such as driving, hallucinations, and compulsive gambling, eating, and sexual desire. These possibilities seem like a hefty risk for someone who just needs to be rid of uncomfortable sensations in the legs. In fact, RLS is another disorder which lacks a concrete form of diagnosis. Keep in mind that pharmacists make a good deal of money off of people who buy medicine to fight the illnesses caused by other medicines.

Alternatives

Though medication seems like the best and easiest way out of sickness, it is often better to use more natural remedies such as exercise, eating healthy, and taking vitamins. Also, when you do use medications, do not assume they will solve your problems alone. Compliment medicine with healthy activity for the best results. Overall, it is best to think preventively than to wait for disease to take hold.

Try as best as you can to remove as many medications from your diet as possible. Some may be necessary, but look for the ones that are not and gradually reduce your dependence on them. It is not always easy to get off a medication; however, it could be your first step in boosting your immunity.