Self medication. 3 paragraphs

      SELF-MEDICATION 

Self medication, a very common practice that can be more harmful then it is useful. It is the selection and use of medicines by individuals to treat self-recognized or self-diagnosed conditions or symptoms. Although it can be beneficial as it increases the access to medication and relief for the patient ,it ensures active role of the patient in his or her own health care with better use of physician or pharmacist skills and reduced health expenditure linked to the treatment of minor health conditions.

However,self-medication is far from being a completely safe practice, in particular it is the case of non-responsible self-medication. Medicine is prescribed to cure or fight infections, prevent such severe infections and to save ourselves,from fever and diseases. Physicians or doctors have undergone a long period of study and training to treat people with such infections after proper diagnosis and conversation with the patient but what if we practice self-medication? The risks involved with it can be incorrect self diagnosis, delay in seeking medical advice when needed,inadequate but severe adverse reactions,dangerous drug addiction, incorrect manner of administration, incorrect dosage,masking of a severe disease and risk of dependence and abuse,incorrect choice of therapy. As not all medicines suit everyone and everytime .

In the end, we should be very careful regarding our health and we should consult a doctor when we get symptoms of any disease and have our body thoroughly checked and diagnosed for any ailment rather then self medication as taking the medicines prescribed by the doctor ensures that we take genuine medication. Pharmacists also should be cautious and not sell any medicine without a prescription as self medication can be dangerous too.