Consumer’s Reports recently undertook an exhaustive
study of the medication madness in the United States. Just a few
of the sobering facts:
---- More than 50% of Americans are on some type of medication.
---- The Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration report
that in 2014 almost 1.3 million Americans were rushed to hospitals due to harmful
prescription drug effects. About 124,000 died.
---- The
market research firm IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics reports that at
least $200 billion per year is spent “on the unnecessary and improper use of
medication, for the drugs themselves and related medical costs”.
---- Many of
the problems arise when patients see and are given prescriptions from two or
more doctors. In many cases there is little to no communication between the
physicians.
---- While some
pills are not 100% safe, they are critical for treating devastating and often
deadly diseases.
---- The big
drug companies, along with busy doctors trying to see as many patients as
possible, have spawned a culture of treating even the slightest ailment or
symptom with one or more pills.
---- Drug
companies spent $6.4 billion in advertising in 2016 in the US.
---- The Pew
Charitable Trusts reports that drug companies spent $24 billion in 2012 alone on
“marketing just to doctors through ads in medical journals, face-to-face sales,
free medication samples, and educational and promotional meetings.”
The
attraction and benefits to avoiding drugs can’t be overstated.
Fortunately, there are alternatives. Not the pseudo-scientific, alternative
medicine offerings that have no evidence and are in some cases harmful. Drugs can
sometimes be avoided by simple but demanding lifestyle changes. Below are 12 of
the most common examples of the conditions that can best be alleviated by these
healthier changes. The drugs most often prescribed for these conditions are
right below. The non-drug options, meaning the lifestyle changes, and
when to consider taking the drug, are found at: https://www.consumerreports.org/prescription-drugs/times-to-try-lifestyle-changes-before-drugs/
1. ADHD
Drugs: Antipsychotics
such as Abilify and Seroquel.
2. Back & Joint Pain
Drugs: Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatories such as Advil, Aleve, and Celebrex; opioids such as
OxyContin and Percocet.
3. Dementia
Drugs: Antipsychotics
such as Abilify and Seroquel.
4. Mild Depression
Drugs:
Antidepressants such as Celexa, Cymbalta, Lexapro, and Prozac.
5. Heartburn
Drugs: Proton-pump
inhibitors (PPIs) such as Nexium, Prevacid, and Prilosec.
6. Insomnia
Drugs: Sleeping
pills such as Ambien, Belsomra, and Lunesta.
7. Low Testosterone
Drugs: Testosterone
topicals (such as AndroGel and Axiron), patches (Androderm), and injections
(Aveed).
8. Osteopenia, or Preosteoporosis (Bone Density at the Low End of
Normal)
Drugs: Bisphosphonates
such as Actonel, Boniva, and Fosamax.
9. Overactive Bladder (Sudden or Frequent Need to Urinate)
Drugs:
Anticholinergics such as Detrol and Oxytrol.
10. Prediabetes (Blood Sugar Levels at the High End
of Normal)
Drugs:
Blood-glucose-lowering drugs such as Actos and Glucophage.
11. Prehypertension (Blood Pressure at the High End of
Normal)
Drugs: ACE
inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers, and
diuretics.
12. Obesity
Drugs: The
weight-loss drugs Belviq, Contrave, Qsymia, and Xenical.
Older People and Prescription Drugs
“When it
comes to risks from prescription drugs, seniors face triple jeopardy. They’re
more likely to take multiple meds and more susceptible to side effects due to
physical changes that accompany aging. And they’re at a higher risk of drug
interactions, partly because they tend to take more meds ……. It’s not
surprising, then, that older adults are twice as likely to suffer a side effect
serious enough to require a trip to an ER, and seven times more likely to be
hospitalized as a result, according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.”
To reduce
those risks, ask your physicians these questions:
Is This Drug
Safe for Someone My Age?
Will a Lower
Dose Work Just as Well?
Do I Need to
Treat the Problem So Aggressively?
Is This
Prescription Still Necessary?
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Photo: http://treat-depression.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/medication-for-medical-depression.jpg
Jerry De Luca is a Christian freelance writer who loves perusing dozens of interesting and informative publications. When he finds any useful info he summarizes it, taking the main points, and creates a (hopefully) helpful blog post.
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