Overwhelmed by Medications?
Overwhelmed by Medications? by Mary Lynn Merriman
Prescription medications play an important role in our health as we age. They can also come with risks which require them to be managed effectively. What you should know.
Raise your hand if you take at least one prescription medication on a regular basis. Keep it up if you take two or more prescriptions. Now, keep your hand raised if you take three or more.
Statistics vary, but for those 65 or older as many as half would still have their hands up when we hit five or more prescriptions, with nearly 20 percent having hands still raised at 10 or more. This doesn’t even include adding in over-the-counter medications or supplements.
Next question. If you take medications, has it proven to be complicated and confusing? When do I take this medication or that one? Do I take this one with food and that one without food? Even, have I taken this medication yet today? If I missed a dose, how can I catch up – by doubling up?
If you have ever had any of these questions, or so many others, related to your medications, you are not alone.
The help and the hazard of medications
Every day more than 10,000 people in the United States turn 65; people are living longer, healthier lives. However, even healthy aging can bring medical problems that require specific medications. While these medicines can improve lives — and save them — by regulating blood pressure, curing infections, calming restless minds and aching joints, helping to control life-threatening illness, and so much more, taking multiple medications can be complicated and even dangerous.
