Taking medicine when sick is deeply ingrained in our thinking, but did you know that some incorrect medication practices not only fail to achieve therapeutic effects but also burden the body? Today, let's explore why certain ways of taking medicine can lead to toxicity.
Incorrect Timing of Medication
Each medication has specific functions. Not all drugs should be taken three times daily after meals.
A. Taking medication immediately after meals can cause drugs to mix with food, reducing absorption efficiency. It's best to take medication half an hour after eating, allowing the stomach to digest food and facilitating intestinal absorption.
B. Taking medication on an empty stomach is generally inadvisable unless specifically instructed. Oral intake on an empty stomach can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, harming health.This is especially true for medications like salicylates, which taken before meals may contribute to conditions such as gastric ulcers or perforations. However, most traditional Chinese medicines are typically taken before meals.
C. Irregular medication schedules. Medications treat illnesses by maintaining consistent blood concentrations over time, providing sustained resistance to disease and achieving therapeutic effects. Irregular dosing causes fluctuating blood levels, making conditions prone to relapse and prolonging treatment duration.
Incorrect Medication Practices
When medications are used to combat illness, improper administration not only hinders recovery but can also harm the body or even cause poisoning.
A. Breaking tablets or dissolving them in water before ingestion is incorrect. Some medications are harsh on the stomach; breaking or dissolving them increases gastric irritation and injury.For sustained-release medications, breaking or dissolving them can cause a sudden, excessive release of active ingredients. This leads to rapid absorption, resulting in blood concentrations that increase several or even dozens of times higher than intended, causing drug poisoning.Substances in these liquids can interact with medications, affecting their efficacy. Some drugs may even react with components in these liquids to form toxic compounds, causing poisoning. C. Arbitrarily altering medication dosage: Dosages are prescribed by doctors based on individual health conditions. Reducing doses without medical guidance may fail to achieve the desired effect. Conversely, increasing doses to hasten recovery can lead to excessive side effects or poisoning.Traditional Chinese medicine dosages must also never be altered arbitrarily. D. Taking two medications together: Not all drugs can be taken concurrently. Some require separate dosing, typically spaced at least two hours apart. E. Short intervals between doses of the same medication: Medications have prescribed dosing intervals—usually every 4-6 hours, though some require 12-hour or 24-hour intervals.Strict adherence to dosing schedules is crucial. Overdosing can lead to high blood concentrations and poisoning, while excessive intervals cause inconsistent blood levels, reducing efficacy and yielding unsatisfactory results. All medicines carry some toxicity. This principle, "All medicines carry some toxicity," originates from traditional Chinese medicine, as stated by Li Shizhen. The toxicity of Chinese herbal medicines is categorized as: highly toxic, moderately toxic, slightly toxic, and non-toxic.When used symptomatically, drugs possess dual properties of benefit and harm. While effective against one disease, they may simultaneously damage other bodily systems. Even non-toxic tonics can cause harm through overuse or inappropriate application. Hence the adage: "All drugs carry some toxicity."
Today, with the prevalence of Western medicine, drug side effects are more pronounced.Take the antihypertensive drug reserpine as an example: while lowering blood pressure, it may cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and excessive gastric acid secretion. This exemplifies the inherent toxicity within medications. Western Medicine vs. Traditional Chinese Medicine In recent years, the state has promoted traditional Chinese medicine and herbal remedies. Though effective, the development of TCM remains constrained, as public trust in Western medicine's efficacy is deeply ingrained. So how should one choose between Western and traditional medicine?
1. Advantages and Disadvantages of Western Medicine
Advantages: Rapid onset, short treatment duration, and targeted symptom relief.
Disadvantages: A. As chemical compounds, Western drugs effectively treat symptoms but may damage other organs. Long-term use can accelerate or inhibit growth in specific physiological areas, leading to cellular mutations and cancer.
B. Recurrence risk: While Western medicine provides rapid symptom relief, it lacks the capacity for systemic regulation, making recurrence common. Take coughs as an example: a cough caused by a cold or fever may require at least five days of Western medication to resolve completely, yet it can easily return if the patient catches a chill during recovery.
2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Originating primarily in China, TCM utilizes not only plants but also substances derived from animals and even human tissues. Its therapeutic principles are rooted in the TCM concepts of "strengthening the body's defenses" (扶正) and "expelling pathogens" (祛邪).
Disadvantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine
A. Slow onset of action: TCM focuses on treating the root cause of illness, resulting in delayed effects and prolonged treatment duration. Many lack patience and opt for Western medicine, which addresses symptoms.
B. Lack of symptom-specific treatment: TCM emphasizes regulating yin-yang balance and treating the source of disease, which may lead to perceived mismatches with specific symptoms during treatment.
C. Difficulty in self-dosing: Herbal formulations require precise adherence to the physician's prescription.
Advantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine
A. Safety: The safety profile of TCM is widely recognized.
B. Minimal irritation: TCM primarily uses plant and animal-based ingredients. Rooted in the concept that "medicinal and edible substances share the same origin," herbs are absorbed through the stomach before entering the intestines, minimizing gastrointestinal irritation.
C. Reduced renal burden: All medications ultimately undergo renal metabolism for excretion. Compared to Western drugs, TCM places less strain on the kidneys and reduces hepatotoxic side effects.
Both Western and Chinese medicine possess distinct advantages. However, incorrect administration methods not only diminish efficacy but may also lead to toxicity.