Self-medication is becoming more common these days, especially among young people. This may be due to easy access to over-the-counter drugs. However, this practice poses serious risks to their health, sometimes leading to mental health problems or, in severe cases, even loss of life.
What is Self-Medication?
Self-medication is the practice of using drugs or other treatments to manage health conditions without consulting a medical professional.
The dangers of self-medication cannot be overlooked. Some of its harmful effects include:
Drug Interactions: Some medications can react negatively with others, leading to dangerous side effects.
Overdose or Underdose: Taking too much of a drug can cause harmful effects, while taking too little may render the medication ineffective.
Addiction: Frequent self-medication can lead to dependence on certain drugs.
Mental Health Issues: Overdosing on certain drugs can have negative effects on mental health.
Organ Damage: Long-term or excessive use of some drugs can damage vital organs such as the lungs, kidneys, and liver.
My Unforgettable Experience
One fateful afternoon, after returning from work, I felt extremely tired. I had a severe headache, and my skin was itching terribly, making me very uncomfortable.
I went straight to the bathroom for a cool shower, hoping it would help, but it didn’t. I then tried to sleep to ease the headache, but the itching kept me awake. At that moment, I was desperate to feel better. So, I picked up my last 1,000 naira and rushed to a nearby pharmacy, where I bought a painkiller and another drug I was familiar with. I didn’t wait for the pharmacist’s prescription, I just wanted to get home and take the medicine.
Once home, I took three tablets of the painkiller and two tablets of the itching drug. A few minutes later, my headache started to ease, but the itching persisted.
I thought to myself, Why not take one more tablet of the itching drug to make it work faster? Without hesitation, I took another tablet. That was the moment I made a terrible mistake, hahahaha!
A few minutes later, my vision became blurry, and I felt extremely dizzy. I tried to step out of the room but staggered and fell back on the bed. To this day, I still don’t know how I managed to fall asleep.
Fortunately, my neighbor returned home and decided to check on me. After knocking several times without getting a response, he suspected something was wrong. When he entered my room, he tapped me on the back, but I didn’t respond. He tapped again, still no response. After several attempts, I finally managed to open my eyes.
When I woke up, I felt extremely weak. I couldn’t talk or even sit up on my own. My neighbor helped me by preparing a meal and giving me a sachet of glucose, which I managed to take. He also opened the windows for fresh air. After a few hours, I fully regained consciousness. It was a scary and unpleasant experience.
When I narrated the story to him, he laughed and told me I was supposed to take only one tablet of the itching drug, but I had taken three! Hahaha! Truly, God saved me that day.
In summary self-medication is dangerous and can have serious consequences. Always seek medical advice before taking any medication. Say no to self-medication!
I am 
