4 Ways Your Prescription Medicine is Killing You

• Part 1: Top 5 Secrets Your Doctor Doesn't Want You To Know

While there are many health benefits from prescription medication, there are also many dangers. In fact, you could be slowly killing yourself from prescription drug abuse and addiction without knowing. Even if you are not addicted to medicine there are many deadly side effects from prescription drugs that are not discussed as publically as they should. Below are four ways that your prescription medicine is slowly killing you.

1) Pain Medication Addiction
Abuse and addiction to pain medication is by far the most deadly of them all. Pill mills and unscrupulous doctors dish out prescriptions for deadly medications like Oxycontin, Percocet and Fentanyl. According to MedicalNewsToday.com, “Each year, the side effects of long-term NSAID use cause nearly 103,000 hospitalizations and 16,500 deaths” http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/33959.php. Furthermore, people are not even aware of the deadly side effects of habitual use. A nationwide survey by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) of 807 respondents in 2005 showed that “54 percent were not aware of the potential side effects …and 18 percent has previously experienced side effects” http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/33959.php. The habit forming affects of pain medication addiction can cause severe liver damage, cardiovascular and respiratory effects as well as mental health effects.
2) Prescription Drugs Do Not Treat Diseases
The truth is that prescription drugs do not treat diseases. Prescription medication merely covers up the symptoms of diseases. Doctors focus less on preventative medicine and because so many prescription drugs are available adverse reactions have become increasingly common. With an annual prescription drug death rate conservatively over 100,000, it is clear that patients are not healthier they just have less symptoms.
3) Lack of Communication Between Specialists
In today’s world we no longer just visit one doctor for all our ailments. We spend our days going to specialists. While we are suppose to document our medication to all doctors, there are plenty of times that either people forget to mention one of their drugs or a doctor does not do their due diligence to check to see if mixing two prescriptions can have deadly side effects. This is why it is so important to keep your doctor informed of everything you take. You never know what drugs might be a deadly combination.

4) Deadly Side Effects
Side effects underlie most of the other points as well but it so important to address them. While some side effects can lead to liver and kidney problems or cardiac arrest, other side effects can make you a danger to yourself. Loss of memory, anxiety, loss of energy and depression are side effects that can become potentially deadly. Some medication can make it easy for you to lose your balance making it easier to trip and fall. This is especially significant to elderly patients that have weaker bones and are more prone to injury. Always ask your doctor questions and get to know your local pharmacist so you feel comfortable asking questions to them. The more you know about your prescription medication the safer you will be. If you feel any negative side effects or symptoms make sure you ask your doctor to lower your dosage or switch you to a new medication.

Always remember that there are natural cures for almost every ailment. Keep yourself healthy by eating properly and getting plenty of exercise and rest. Remember, there is no substitution for a healthy lifestyle.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.