Living a healthy life not only means paying attention to what we consume in terms of food, but also in terms of medicines. Anyone who is sick goes to the doctor and that is the intention, but it does not hurt to keep an eye on which medicines are given for the ailment. Care must also be taken to ensure that these medications do not get in the way of each other. It happens far too often that people become ill from medications that do not match. This still occurs regularly, especially among the elderly, who often use multiple types of medicines for different ailments. The doctor and your pharmacist will pay attention to this, but it is wise to keep an eye on this yourself.

As a patient, keep a close eye on your medications

You know your own medicine. Sometimes you have been using them for years and have no problems with them. However, any new medicine can affect the effect of the medicines you are taking. Its effect may even prove negative for your health. It is therefore wise to ask the doctor whether this medication can be taken with your other medications. The GP usually has the medicines you are taking on his computer, but he can also sometimes forget one or another side effect.

Sometimes not all your medications are entered by the specialist in the hospital

If you are treated by a specialist in the hospital, you often have to fill in a questionnaire about which medications you are taking. The information on that form must be transferred to the computer. Sometimes something is forgotten to mention. You would not be the first to be prescribed a medication that is not compatible with the medications for your hiatal hernia, your asthma or your blood pressure.

Also pay close attention yourself

It is therefore important to take care yourself and provide information, as well as asking questions. After all, it is your own body and if there are problems with the medicines, you are the one who suffers from them. Not the doctor and not the pharmacist, but you yourself. It is therefore wise to keep an eye on the various side effects.

Homeopathic medicines

Don’t forget to mention any homeopathic medicines if you have them. Most of those medications do not cause a problem, but it is good to mention these medications to the doctor. So also write these medications on the list that you take with you to the doctor in the hospital. Some doctors still shrug it off, but certain homeopathic medicines really help and who has the right to deny them to you?

The pharmacy can inform you whether the new medications do not cause a conflict

You have been to the doctor and received a prescription. You then go to the pharmacy and pick up the prescribed medicine. If you have forgotten to ask your doctor whether this medication can be combined with your other medications, the pharmacist can also provide you with information about this. Many pharmacists pay close attention to the composition of the medication package of every patient who comes to them to collect medication.

How do you respond to the doctor about side effects of new or modified medications?

Every drug has side effects. However, the manufacturer often lists so many possible side effects on the package leaflet that the patient becomes dizzy and he or she no longer dares to take the medicine. If you are familiar with that feeling, ask your doctor or pharmacist about it. Many possible side effects occur only rarely and usually the improved effect on your health is more important than the side effect. If you do experience any troublesome side effects, let your doctor know immediately.

Another medicine with the same effect

There are increasing cuts in healthcare. As a result, many people are faced with a sudden change to a medication they have been taking for a long time. It contains the same medicine, but the tablet or capsule is formed with different substances. That can cause problems. For example, some people have a lactose intolerance, while the newly manufactured medicine actually contains traces of lactose. This will cause a problem for the patient in the long run. There are many more examples to mention.

Be careful when taking a new medication, such as blood pressure lowering agents

If you have asked the doctor or pharmacist about matching your medications, take the new medication. However, if you notice a less pleasant change in your body over time, read the package leaflet and see if it could be due to the new medicine. For example, taking a certain type of blood pressure-lowering medication can make you chronically tired. This does not apply to everyone, but it is very difficult for the patients this concerns.

Ask for a different medicine if it makes you feel unwell

In such a case, go back to the doctor and ask for another medicine. There are usually different types to lower blood pressure, for example. After all, one patient reacts the same way and the other the same way. The doctor cannot know this in advance. Explain clearly to the doctor what you feel and how you feel. If the explanation is unclear, the doctor cannot help you.

The doctor is not infallible either

A doctor does human work. There is nothing wrong with that, because we all provide that, but it is good to let your own mind play a role in his work. After all, the doctor has many patients, but you only have one life. After all, you want to keep the quality of that life as high as possible for as long as possible.

If you are not confident, go back to the doctor

If you do not trust something, or do not feel well when you are using the new medicine, go back to the doctor. There are often more types of medicines for a disability or illness and you can easily switch to a different type. It is known, especially with regard to medications for high blood pressure, that not everyone feels comfortable taking the same tablets. There are also various types of tablets for the stomach.

It’s your life

In most cases, general practitioners and specialists will do their best for you, but it is your life and you are ultimately responsible for it. Also for that of your immediate family members and your children. General practitioners and specialists have many patients. Most also feel responsible for their patients, but it is never about their own lives. Your life is first and foremost your own responsibility.

Be vocal

Therefore, decide for yourself what happens to you. Have each medication and treatment explained thoroughly and then decide whether it is beneficial to you or not. If you notice that something is not working properly, let the doctor know as soon as possible so that something can be changed. Finally, the doctor also depends on your response in order to take the right measures.

You only have one life

However, a person only has one life and he has to make do with it. They provide their expertise, as far as their knowledge extends. You cannot always accurately judge whether the decisions made are correct. If you have serious doubts, seek a second opinion so that you have more certainty. However, only do this if you really think it is necessary for someone else to look at the diagnosis.

read more

• Medications: Keep a list and take it with you to the doctor