Things you can do to protect your health from the Medical Profession

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 Many people have taken the necessary steps to become proactive in their health matters: exercise, cutting down on fat, sugar and salt, reading food labels and cutting down on sodium, sugar and fats; reducing stress and practicing relaxation techniques. And, most, if not all folks have experienced positive results. (I will include myself in this!)

This article will include some things that the health consumer may have taken for granted: talking to your doctor.

Don't leave everything to your MD

I have blogged before about how many patients come into the ED and do not take responsibility for their health.  Many times when I asked a patient about his/her meds, they say, my doctor knows, or it's in my chart.  These are the very people that invite adverse events such as over or under medication.  Worse yet, they become victim to taking the wrong medication all together. 

Ask questions, get involved. Read up about any medications that you may be taking or plan on taking. Remember your medication allergies.

Medication Errors

Did you know that one of the largest dangers to the public, along with cancer and heart disease is the taking of wrong medications? If inpatient, medication errors and adverse events wherein a patient has a reaction to a medication are growing exponentially.  I can truthfully say this because I have seen it happen. And, the cost of these errors is tallying up to $1 billion dollars a year.  More than the tab on treating major chronic illnesses, such as diabetes.

In the 2010 "Journal of General Medicine" records were reviewed from 1976 to 2006, it was found that 62 million death certificates stated that one quarter of a million deaths were cited as being the direct result of medication errors. And, at least 450,000 people have fallen victim to preventable medication errors and adverse events. What is the solution?  Probably, reducing the amount of dangerous medications that are taken. Many hospital admissions and ED visits are often the result of improperly taken medications prescribed by MDs.

Hospital Acquired Infections

Nosocomial infections run rampant in health care facilities and contribute largely to complications in patients.  According to the "Archive of Internal Medicine" pneumonia and sepsis killed 48,000 patients with a cost of over $1 billion dollars.

Central line infections also raise patient mortality rates and add to the overall cost of treatment.

What can be done?

Eliminate as much stress from your life, which weakens the immune system. Exercise and get plentyof fresh air and sunshine which boosts the body's levels of vitamin D, which also boosts immunity, helps depression and can play a part in prevention of breast cancer. Think positive and enjoy life.

sources:

"Kills more people than heart disease or cancer (but hardly anybody knows" www.mercola.com