Many people tend to think of "every medicine has some toxicity" when it comes to drugs, and this concern affects every chronic disease patient who needs medication.
Many patients with chronic diseases feel conflicted when it comes to medication - they either believe in the superstition that "natural dietary supplements" and "health products" can replace regular treatment, or worry about the so-called "side effects" and arbitrarily reduce or discontinue their medication.
In fact, compared to the potential risks that may exist in the drugs themselves, the misconceptions about medication that are commonly regarded as "common sense" are often more likely to lead people astray.
These misconceptions may seem reasonable on the surface, but in reality, they may delay the treatment, increase physical burden, and even pose unnecessary health risks.
one
Just because a chronic disease has no symptoms does not mean the disease has been cured
Chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and coronary heart disease are different from colds and fever - they are "silent killers", and the symptoms are completely unrelated to the severity of the condition.
Hypertension: Many people may experience blood pressure soaring to 160/100mmHg without experiencing dizziness or headache. However, the blood vessels, enduring high pressure for a long time, are like water pipes that are continuously overloaded, gradually becoming hard and brittle. The risks of myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, and kidney failure are quietly soaring;
Diabetes: In its early stages, there may be no signs of increased thirst, appetite, or weight loss, but blood sugar is quietly damaging the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and blood vessels. By the time symptoms such as numbness in the hands and feet, blurred vision, and foamy urine appear, the damage is already irreversible;
Hyperlipidemia: There are almost no discomforts, but excess lipids accumulate in the vascular wall as plaques. Once the plaque ruptures, a thrombus instantly blocks the blood vessel, directly leading to sudden death.
The role of chronic disease medications is not to "treat symptoms", but to control indicators, delay the progression of the disease, and prevent complications. When you take the medication and feel no effect, it is precisely the efficacy of the medication at work, nipping the danger in the bud.
two
The "poison" of not taking medication is more terrifying than the side effects of drugs
"Every medicine has some toxicity" is true, but this phrase has been severely misinterpreted.
Prescription drugs for chronic diseases, when administered properly, have undergone extensive clinical trials and their therapeutic benefits far outweigh the risks of side effects. The dosage and treatment duration prescribed by doctors are tailored to individual conditions, and regular monitoring of liver and kidney function is conducted to minimize the risk of side effects.
Think about it the other way around: the "poison" of not taking medication is ten thousand times more terrifying than the side effects of drugs.
After discontinuing medication without authorization, blood pressure and blood sugar levels experience a "rebound increase," with fluctuations being even greater than when not taking medication. This can lead to doubled damage to organs. At the very least, the condition may recur and worsen, and at the most severe, it can result in sudden cerebral infarction, myocardial infarction, or uremia. Not only will this require more money for treatment, but it may also leave permanent disabilities or even endanger life.
three
These 3 excuses for stopping medication are the most deceptive!
Get rid of these wrong ideas as soon as possible
Excuse 1: Once the indicators return to normal, the medication can be stopped
Reaching target blood pressure and blood glucose levels is the result of drug control, not the body's self-healing. Once the medication is stopped, the indicators will quickly rebound, equivalent to all previous efforts being wasted.
Excuse 2: Health supplements and dietary therapy can replace medications
Fish oil, propolis, miscellaneous grains, and tea drinks can only serve as auxiliary treatments and absolutely cannot replace prescription drugs. Relying on health supplements to cure chronic diseases will only delay the optimal opportunity for control.
Excuse 3: Long-term medication can damage the liver and kidneys, so it's better not to take it if possible
For individuals with normal liver and kidney functions, prescribed chronic disease medications are highly safe. It is uncontrolled blood pressure and blood sugar levels, rather than medications taken as prescribed, that truly harm the liver and kidneys.
four
For chronic disease medication, please keep the correct approach in mind
Following doctor's advice is the bottom line: take medication on time and in the prescribed amount, and do not adjust the dosage, change the medication, or stop taking medication on your own;
Regular monitoring + review: measure blood pressure and blood glucose at home, and regularly visit the hospital to check liver and kidney function, as well as blood lipids, so that the doctor can keep track of the patient's condition;
Don't bear side effects alone: If you experience discomfort after taking medication, seek medical advice in time to adjust the treatment plan, and do not stop taking the medication on your own;
Coordinating with lifestyle interventions: taking medication + controlling diet + engaging in regular exercise + quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, these two approaches should be taken simultaneously to better manage the condition.
A final reminder: Managing chronic diseases is a long-term battle, not a short-term one. Don't ignore long-term risks just for the sake of temporary comfort. Taking your medication obediently and keeping your indicators in check is the most responsible thing you can do for yourself and your family. Don't let "fear of medication" turn into "suffering a huge loss".
Expert Introduction
Lin Xiaoming, Chief Physician
Director of Cardiovascular Medicine
Medical expertise
Proficient in the diagnosis and management of common and complex cardiovascular diseases, emergency treatment of critical illnesses, routine coronary heart disease intervention techniques, emergency coronary angiography and stent implantation for acute myocardial infarction, and cardiac pacemaker implantation.