When it comes to health-related matters, we often fear finding out what is behind the symptoms we are experiencing. For instance, we suffer from severe headaches but because of the fear of discovering the root cause of the headache, we resort to self-medication.

But is self-medication considered as first-aid in treating your illness? Is it even reliable?

There is a correct time for self-medication, but there should be a proper way of assessment. You must have a better judgment on yourself to ensure that you are safe when you decide not to go to the doctor and take medicines that you believe are effective in treating your illness.

What is self-medication?

Self-medication is an immediate action that a person takes when he experience any health-related issues, such as fever, cough, or headache. Self-medication is simply doing self-administered treatment methods if you are sick or if your loved ones, friends, or even random persons who need immediate medical attention, are sick.

Most of us believe that self-administration is the simplest form of treating your illness. You buy over-the-counter medicines that you assume will treat your headache. You assumed that what you’re experiencing right now is a treatable illness that will only last for days. You act as if you know what your illness is about and assume that self-administered treatment ideas are effective. That is, you refuse to go to a doctor and trust your instincts that you will be treated by your methods.

What are the sources of self-medication?

You can find a lot of self-medication advice over the internet. You can also ask your friends for advice on what medicine to buy to treat your illness and prefer to purchase over-the-counter because you treat your symptoms mild and treatable.

You put together what you read, watched, and heard from the internet, the home remedies suggested by your family and friends, and eventually come up with your ideas of self-treatment.

What are the dangers associated with self-medication?

There are dangers in self-medication. If there is a prolonged intake of over-the-counter medicines is already alarming. Simple fever should only last for at most three days and should not be associated with other symptoms. Once the fever persists after three days and you continue to self-administer treating your illness, then you are exposing yourself to danger. This is also the same with other mild symptoms such as cough or headache. If the symptoms you are experiencing go beyond three to five days, then something is not right already. You must stop taking over-the-counter medicines and immediately consult a doctor.

Another danger of self-medication is when you rely on the internet. You check videos and articles on your current symptoms and make your treatment by mixing different medicines. Self-medication is harmful to your health, especially if you buy the medicine illegally that should have been prescribed by a doctor.

When is self-medication acceptable?

Self-medication is safe as long as you buy over-the-counter medicines since these medicines are safe to take even without the doctor’s prescription. It is also safe to self-administer treating your illness if you ask for recommendations from pharmacists or friends and family members who have a background in the medical field. As long as you don’t overdose yourself from taking medicines and must seek immediate medical attention after three days, you are doing acceptable self-medication.