Treating the cause or just the symptoms?

General
1

Most of the patients are self proclaimed clinicians who takes medication without even proper diagnosis.They go to a pharmacy and pop pills without even knowing that symptoms can be temporarily subsided if root cause has not been eradicated completely.

For example in the beginning of tooth pain, they take painkillers and because of that root cause still persists and increases the severity of diseases. Another example of this would be in the case of viral fever, they just take anti pyretics medication to subside the symptoms.

It’s high time that we as a clinician should communicate clearly to the patients and explain them the symptoms are just the reflections of diseases.
More focus should be on the treating the root cause.

According to you what are some ways we can help patients understand as healthcare professionals ? Share your thoughts

MBH/PS

1 Like
2

Absolutely agree. Clear patient education is key. Healthcare professionals can explain the difference between symptom relief and treating the underlying cause, discourage self-medication, and encourage timely consultation. Simple language and practical examples can help patient make safer, informed healthcare decisions.

3

Self-medication is a serious issue.Health education of the public and regulation of pharmacies might help limit self-medication practices.

4

Self medication should not be encouraged. Make the patient understand that no matter what the symptom is, or if the symptom keeps recurring, it is very important to visit the doctor rather than taking the same medicine as prescribed before. This helps to understand the disease pattern and treat the cause.