ASK IF THE BENEFITS OUTWEIGH THE RISKS

      Many people go to doctors and blindly take a host of medications that are prescribed.  I have seen countless patients in the emergency room who, not only don't seem to know why they are on particular meds, they often don't even know the names of the pills they are taking.  “I'm on that little heart pill.  My doctor said to take it”.

   Now, understand that the majority of doctors are trying to do what is in the best interests of their patients and do not want to cause any harm.  But the realities that should be kept in mind are these.

   Firstly, though doctors are taught pharmacology in medical school, once they are out in practice the majority of the information they receive regarding new medications coming on the market, comes from pharmaceutical company representatives, “drug reps” as we call them.

    I'm sorry to tell you but information coming from that source is not education.  It is advertising. 

    Pharmaceutical companies are responsible, not to you and me, but to their shareholders, as are all publicly traded corporations.  This is not wrong.  It is merely the nature of corporations.

    Secondly, doctors do not get paid to practice good medicine.  They get paid to get as many people as they can in and out of their offices each day.  It might sound unfortunate to you that the system is set up this way but that is the reality of the present situation, whether we like it or not.  More patients seen equals more money made.  More time taken to educate and council patients equals fewer patients seen. 

    Thirdly, every medication works by interfering in some way with a natural process in the body. In that regard all pills are poisons, of one kind or another.  As with poisons in general, some are worse than others and effects are dose related.

   Fourthly, many of the ills of modern society are the direct result of the lifestyle we “enjoy” in the west.  Often changes in lifestyle can halt and even reverse pathological conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and vascular diseases.

    I'm not telling you to refuse to heed your doctor's advice.  Just bear in mind the facts I have mentioned and, if you find yourself being ushered out of the office with a prescription in your hand, make sure you have discussed with your doctor whether there is a natural way to achieve the same hoped-for result.  He or she will listen and consider what you have said and wisely advise you one way or the other.  If your physician refuses to consider alternate treatment options or cannot convince you why the medication is the best resort in your particular situation, find yourself another doctor.

    When dealing with any medicine, whether over-the-counter or prescription, always ask yourself and your doctor if the benefits outweigh the risks.

 Marlene Buckler, MD, FACEP  www.StayOutOfMyER.com

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