We have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to medicines and medical technology. Many new medical innovations have saved lives. Medicines can also enhance the quality of life. They reduce pain, eliminate aches, help fight off infections, and control chronic diseases. However, all medications must be taken with caution as they may cause severe side effects. Adverse drug reactions require immediate medical attention as they can be quite serious.
You must be knowledgeable and proactive when using any prescription drug. Let’s explore how to avoid possible negative reactions from medical treatments.
Anyone is susceptible to adverse drug reactions, but they are most common in people who take 3 or more medicines a day. Reactions come in three main forms: interactions, side effects, and allergies. However, all three should be taken seriously. An interaction occurs when the prescribed drug has an adverse reaction between one or more existing drugs. Examples of drug interactions include:
Drug interactions can change the course of the drugs and the health of the patient. They may not work properly or cause unwanted side effects. Although most side effects are mild, others are very serious. Mild side effects include:
Most side effects go away shortly after the drug is no longer being taken. Adverse drug reactions can also occur if the patient has an allergic reaction when taking their medicine. Drug allergies can be mild, such as hives and rashes, but they can also be life-threatening if anaphylaxis occurs.
Your health care practitioner often decides on using a particular drug to treat your ailment after carefully assessing the risks involved. However, here are a great set of questions to ask for your peace of mind that you are following the safest path. They will also help to identify and correct any adverse drug reactions if they occur:
Once you begin taking a prescription drug it is important to be aware of any changes that may happen to your body. Report any uncommon findings to your doctor immediately. It is sometimes difficult to determine when adverse drug reactions occur. But, symptoms could include:
It is safest to always call your doctor if any of these symptoms occur. We recommend consulting with a health professional before you stop taking prescribed medications. This is because some drugs must be weaned off slowly. The doctor may prescribe another medicine to treat both the reaction and the initial ailment. If your drug reaction is severe, then you should immediately head to a hospital.
There are a few helpful ways you can lower your risk of suffering from adverse drug reactions:
Also, you should never take old medications. First, it may be expired, and not as potent as needed. Second, it could be a different dose than required. Third, it could interfere with other medications you are taking and cause adverse drug reactions you were not anticipating. If you suffer from adrenal fatigue, then this is particularly important. Always get a new prescription. Medicines are prescribed according to size and age, which are both constantly changing factors.
In addition to being preventative about adverse drug reactions, people must also take measures to properly detox after the medication is taken. The liver is one of the body’s primary organs of the Detoxification Circuit. Your liver works hard every day by filtering normal elements in the food we eat, the liquids we drink, and the air we breathe. Oftentimes, when you include synthetic prescription drugs, your body can not properly remove it. This leads to the accumulation of toxins as the interstitium and liver become congested. This in itself is dangerous and can cause severe bodily dysfunctions such as:
Certain medications are extremely hard on the Detoxification Circuit. Some include:
If you are taking these drugs, you must speak to a health care practitioner about natural ways to detox the body. If the Detoxification Circuit dysfunctions, then the clinical symptoms can be devastating.
Before beginning any new medication, you should speak to your primary health care practitioner about any possible drug reactions. The doctor will consider the benefits and potential risk factors, and then decide if the drug is the right fit for you. Certain people may be more prone to adverse drug reactions and should be more cautious.
If you suffer from a condition such as Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS), then the chances are higher that you will have adverse reactions. Illnesses such as these leave the body in a weakened condition with many foods, supplements, and medications causing the body to react in new ways. Also, the Detoxification Circuit in many people who suffer from AFS is usually impaired. So, the body suffers tremendously from taking the drugs and being unable to properly remove any toxins.
Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome is a condition where physical and psychological stress causes the adrenal glands to become exhausted. These glands are then unable to keep up with the body’s demand. The main way the body deals with stress begins with the adrenals and the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response system. The NEM encompasses all six of the body’s primary operating systems or circuits. Stress leaves the entire body in disarray, and the body begins to shut down if not treated properly. Adding drugs to a condition such as AFS could cause severe damage. So, if you have an underlying condition such as adrenal fatigue, it’s important to discuss all treatment options before beginning any new drug regimen.
We have discussed the indicators of adverse drug reactions and how you can try to prevent them. However, you should remember that many natural, herbal, and homeopathic remedies could be used in treatments. These often do not have the same side effects as conventional medications. You should speak to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.
© Copyright 2020 Michael Lam, M.D. All Rights Reserved.
There are a few ways to prevent adverse drug reactions. Speak to your health care practitioner and pharmacist about how the prescribed drugs or over the counter medications could interact with other supplements, foods and additional drugs you are taking. Be knowledgeable about the side effects, and detox if needed. The team at Dr. Lam Coaching can help. We offer a free** no-obligation phone consultation at +1 (626) 571-1234. We will privately and confidentially discuss your concerns. You can also leave us a question through the Ask The Doctor System by clicking here.
