Most of us choose to self-medicate when we are not well. It is okay to go to your local pharmacy once in a while for over-the-counter medication to treat the odd headache or stomach ache. But as we shared in our previous post about headaches, your mild symptoms could be a sign of more serious problems.
Remember, self-medication is not just about swallowing paracetamol by the handful, it could be drinking alcohol excessively, smoking, or taking recreational drugs to cope with emotional stress. The dangers of such behaviours are many, potentially leading to addiction. This is a much bigger discussion to be covered in another article.
If you frequently self-medicate when you don’t feel well, consider creating a process: practice healthy habits that can often resolve issues – rest, drink lots of water, eat good foods and get a good night’s rest. If these do not quickly help, or you are experiencing more severe symptoms such as fever, breathing difficulties, or more, please see a doctor. Do not delay. It could be malaria, but it could also be more serious.
