You Are Responsbile For Your Health

A few months ago, I read an article that said that 70% of Americans have no idea of what the prescription medications they take, do.

You go to a doctor for a problem you're having, and more often than not the doctor says either, a) Take two of these and call me in the morning

or

b) Take two of these for the rest of your life.

And you start taking the pills and have some side effects. Do you go to the doctor and say, "Am I supposed to feel like this aftr I take these pills?" Too many people don't. They just keep taking them and taking them, regardless of how they make a person feel, or long after they dont' need to take them anymore.

(Then of course, a lot of people leave these old prescriptions around where their kids can get at them. Why kids would think they could get high on some unknown pill from their parent's medicine cabinet is beyond me, but apparently it happens all the time. SO trash all those pills you no longer need, regardless of how smart and responsible you think your kid might be! They have friends, don't they? You never know!)

Anyway, to come to the nub of my post, while it is important that you trust your doctor and follow his or her instructions...that doctor has to earn your trust first.

And the only way for him or her to do that is for you to educate yourself on whatever illness or condition your doctor says you have. Research the medicines you're being told to take - and if you are having side effects, ask your doctor about them.

(My mom, who has congestive heart failure, could walk along slow, but fine. One of her medications was doubled in strength, and within a week she had to start walking with a cane because her balance was going. The timing was too soon to be a coincidence, so I told her doctor and her medication was adjusted, and now she's fine again. Well, as fine as she can be. If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, take your medication every damn day and don't even think about "curing" yourself with natural remedies - lest you end up with congestive heart failure, too.!)

Many medical books are written in language that the layperson can't understand, but there are also books out there written for the layperson, and you need to read those and educate yourself about your health.