So many medicines - Which one helps for what? Information for teens

If you go to a pharmacy you will see rows and rows of medicines.  For every disease or illness you can think of, you will find a few types of medicine that claim will make it better. This can be quite confusing.  Lets have a look at what the functions are of medicine and what they do.

          

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Some medication you can buy without prescription from the doctor, some your will need a prescription and other types of medication you will only find at hospitals.  It all depends on the type of medication, how strong it is and what it is used for.

Unfortunately some people misuse medication and are even addicted to it, but the main function of medicine is to make you feel better or cure an illness.

Medicines are chemicals or compounds used to cure, halt, or prevent disease; ease symptoms; or help in the diagnosis of illnesses. Advances in medications have enabled doctors to cure many diseases and save lives. 

Medicines come in many forms, not only in the form of a pill.

• it can be a liquid (these are mostly cough syrups or medicine for kids, since it is difficult for small children to swallow a pill)
• if you have a problem with your ears or eyes, you will use special medicine in the form of a liquid that is used as drops
• it can also be different creams or ointments, or patches 
• some forms of medication is given as an injection or part as a drip

All new types of medicine is tested and only when it is seen as safe it will be sold to the public.  Many medicines have 'side effects' which mean it can have a negative outcome on a person, like for instance bleeding or nausea or feeling lightheaded etc.  If the patient experience some of these effects, the doctor will try another medication that is also made to help for the specific illness.

If it is discovered that a certain medicine has too many side effects, it can be taken off the market and you will not be able to buy it anymore.

Medicines will work in different types of ways, that is why it is important to get the right medicine for your illness.  It is never a good idea to drink somebody else's medication that was prescribed for them, because it can be harmful to you or be the wrong type of medicine for the illness you have.

Medicine can treat from a common flu to cancer.  There are so many types with different functions

• it can be medicine that will kill the virus or bacteria in your body
• it can be medicine that prevent cancer cells from multiplying
• it can be antibiotics that will kill certain bacteria or prevent them from spreading so that the body can fight off the infection
• it can be a medicine that helps your body produce enough hormones or 'insulin'
• it can be medicine that eases pain 

'Vaccines' are very important types of medicine, because these can help your body to build a good immune system that can fight off certain diseases.

Most immunizations that prevent you from catching diseases like measles, whooping cough, and chickenpox are given by injection. No one thinks shots are fun. But the diseases they prevent can be very serious and cause symptoms that last much longer than the temporary discomfort of the shot. 

Even thought some medicines are available without prescription, it does not mean that you do not have to take it  in the correct dosages or that it does not have any side effects or can even be addictive.

Whenever you are taking medication. you have to make you use it correctly and be sure to do the following

• if the medicine makes you feel worse or gives you a rash, you have to let the doctor know
• follow the direction correctly and make sure that you are drinking the correct medicine for the illness you have
• make sure if the medicine will make you feel sleepy because it can affect your concentration at school or when you drive
• do not overdose on the medicine - use only the amount that is save to consume
• if you are pregnant you will have to tell the doctor, since some medicines are bad for the fetus
• do not consume alcohol when using certain medication
• do not share anybody else's medication with them (especially if it is prescribed for them)
• if you drink antibiotics, make sure you complete the whole course, do not stop drinking it when there are still pills left over
• make sure that your store the medicine in a cool and dry place and very importantly away from little children and animals
• you need to inform your doctor if you are allergic to anything

Some people prefer not to take medication and will rather opt for the 'alternative' and more natural remedies.