Prescription Medicines

Prescribed medication is on the rise in the United States. Particularly among the elderly as they are more inclined to be taking medications. According to the textbook, about thirty percent of people who are sixty-five or older take eight or more prescriptions daily. (Snyder, 62) With that comes an increase in medication misuse and abuse. The difference between the two has to do with the intentions or motivations the person has. Medication misuse is an unintentional or willful use of a medication in a way that differs from prescribed dose or intent. (Snyder, 61) The first example found in the textbook includes taking several unused antibiotics for strep throat from last years prescription, thinking the sore throat is strep throat. The second example is a person who takes a double dose of Tylenol, thinking the higher dose will clear the symptoms faster. The last example from the book is failing to take entire course of antibiotics prescribed for them. (Snyder, 61) On the other hand, medication abuse is deliberately taking a drug for non-medical reason. For example, taking a prescription medicine that was prescribed to someone else, taking the medicine in a different form such as snorting it, or taking a certain medicine with the intent to get high. Both medication abuse and misuse in the elderly population is of concern on the grounds that it can bring mental and physical debilitation. Older people misusing or abusing medications puts them at greater danger and may lead to

Prescription drug abuse is as dangerous to your health as illegal drug use. According to the article “Prescription Pain Medications: What you need to know,” there are many pieces of evidence that show the danger of prescription medications. Three examples of theses dangers from prescription medications in the article is that people can stop breathing, can begin addictions that may get worse, and overall overdosing on prescription medications. These prescription medications, opioids, such as OxyContin, Vicodin, Percodan, etc. are made with a plant called the Poppy Plant, which is also an ingredient for illegal opioids such as heroin. In paragraph five it says, “In fact, they now outnumber deaths from heroin and cocaine combined.” Furthermore,

The very same items a doctor prescribes to help people get well might be making them sick. Prescription drugs are being taken for reasons other than the ones they are being prescribed for, fueling an addiction that impacts as many as 48 million Americans ("Prescription Drug Abuse" WebMD). According to MedLinePlus, "an estimated 20 percent of people in the United States have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons. This is prescription drug abuse." While a considerable amount of time, resources, and attention are focused on the problems associated with illicit drugs, prescription drug abuse is "an increasing problem," with very serious consequences for individuals, families, and communities (MayoClinic Staff). The United States Office of National Drug Control Policy claims, "Prescription drug abuse is the Nation's fastest-growing drug problem, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified prescription drug abuse as an epidemic." Because prescription drugs are viewed as safe due to their being part of the doctor's pharmacopeia, the same psychological, legal, ethical, and social barriers to abuse might not be present. However, prescription drug abuse creates a wide range of problems, including dangerous or lethal side effects, long-term addiction, and the dismantling of family and community

America has long been hailed as “The Land of Opportunity”. The nation has drawn refugees and immigrants from all over for more than two hundred years. However, as our country has expanded and the population diversified, we are facing more issues than ever before. From Women’s rights to voting rights and issues regarding National Security, the government and the people are rarely in agreement. One issue that has been heavily debated is the people’s right to privacy. This issue in particular brings forth a whole host of questions. Is privacy actually a “right” as defined in the constitution? Or can the government pervade its people’s private lives as it so pleases? Should the government have easy access to everything about you, such to

Prescription drug abuse is not a new problem within our society. Prescription drug abuse has in fact been an ongoing problem that is currently spinning out of control. There are many people within our society that are currently dealing with prescription drug addiction. Prescription drug abuse is the intentional use of a medication without a prescription; in a way other than as prescribed; or for the experience or feeling it causes (The Science of Drug Abuse & Addiction, 2014). Prescription drugs are developed to assist with various medical problems, and when prescribed by a medical professional are helpful for patients. The using prescriptions for those other than intended for may cause a number of serious issues

How would you like to meet the most expensive drug dealer in the world? There are thousands of them. They live in your town, they work with you, and can live right next door, your own primary doctor. Some people are not aware how wide spread drug addiction is. Most drugs come from our primary doctor. Prescription pain medication are the number one cause of addiction. There are three ways to help with the prevention of pain medication addiction, through education, monitoring, and enforcement.

Health is a diverse process because it is always changing. Sometimes our health is good, other times we may acquire a sickness & we can maybe even at times have a serious illness. Our health changes as much as our lifestyle changes. In order to stay healthy, you have to have that mindset every day to remain physically and mentally fit. I believe healthy nutrition is one of the most important things to keep your body going. Healthy nutrition is basically having a healthy balanced meal throughout the day’s length. Having a meal consisting of each food group is an example of a good balanced healthy meal.

Prescription medications serve the purpose of helping individuals with symptoms that are occurring in the short term. The perception people have on prescribed medication is widely positive due to the high number of daily consumers, but the world is only viewing the positives on this controversial topic. Consumers who have illnesses should not rely on prescription medications due to the negative side effects, high addiction rates and potential increase in crime proving that home remedies are much more reliable, healthier and safer alternatives.

You see on characters on TV shows and movies, and even real life, that struggle with addictions. Most of the time when you hear the term “drug addict” you automatically think of street drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, or LSD. Not too often do you hear a storyline of someone addicted to painkillers, but the reality of that type of abuse if very real. It has been said that an estimated 2.4 million Americans abused prescription painkillers in a year. This addiction has to have a starting point. A patient could go to the doctor because of a toothache. The doctor then may write a prescription for a simple prescription painkiller. That medication may have a side effect of a relaxing feeling, therefore when the patient experienced this they decided they wanted to have that feeling more. Eventually they will

Craving is called an addition and the more you smoke the more your body will crave the nicotine. As many of you may have heard, Smokeless cigarettes are safe. Smokeless tobacco is not safe, if anything, smokeless tobacco delivers more nicotine then the average cigarette. This type of smoking, like the rest, gives you bad breathe, discolored teeth, diseased gums causing one to loose teeth, and tobacco has sugar which then mixes in the your plague and then the acid eats away your tooth enamel which then causes cavities and chronic pains of the mouth and gums. Tobacco also causes Cancer of the gums, lips, tongue, cheek and throat. Surgery may be required to remove the cancer and parts of your face such as the tongue, cheek, or lip may be removed. You could also get another type of cancer called Leukoplakia which is leathery-patch form in your mouth. These patches can vary in the size and shape. You can also develop heart issues. The constant flow of nicotine going through your body can cause side effects such as: high blood pressure, increased heart rate, or irregular heartbeats which could cause sudden death. The new smokeless tobacco that I mentioned earlier can even cause nicotine poisoning. This smokeless tobacco looks and taste like candy and can be extremely

An important, and often overlooked issue that school administrators face is the widespread use of pharmaceutical drugs to address mental health problems. Statistics show that prescription of mental health drugs has been on an upward trend. In 2001, thirty-nine out of a thousand children were using antipsychotics (Harris, Sorbero, Kogan, Schuster, & Stein, 2012, p. 1). While these drugs may have a short-term positive impact, this tactic is not effective long-term due to the side effects and the potential for abuse of these drugs. According to Compton and Volkow, “prescription drug misuse was second, after marijuana, in terms of prevalence among the illicit substances among 12th graders”. They further state that utilization of pharmaceuticals

In addition to the short term effects nicotine addiction also has severe long term effects. A person that is addicted to nicotine has an increased chance of getting cancer. Nicotine can cause a cell mutation in a user’s body that can lead to cancer. Smokers are more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers. People who are addicted to nicotine through the use of cigarettes are likely to cause damage to their lungs as a result from prolong use. The damage caused by nicotine to the lungs can result in pulmonary diseases such as

To begin let’s talk about the many, many health risks that are caused from smoking. I’ll start off with the biggest consequence smoking causes. Cancer. According to the CDC.gov website, nine out of ten lung cancers are caused from smoking cigarettes. And although lung cancer is the most common cancer associated with smoking, it is definitely not the only one. Smoking can cause cancer anywhere in the body. From the mouth to the colon, nothing is safe from cancer when you smoke. According to betobaccofree.gov, the chemicals in cigarettes harm your blood cells and damage your heart, increasing your likelihood of developing aneurysms, cardiovascular disease, Coronary heart disease, and strokes. Smokers also develop mouth sores and ulcers and as stated on deltadentalins.com, smokers are about 4 times more likely than non-smokers to develop gum disease. Smokers experience muscle deterioration because blood and oxygen are restricted and can’t reach the muscles.

Smoking increases the risk of suffering from heart diseases, stroke, other lung diseases and other respiratory illnesses. The body develops horrific reactions to the daily onslaught of smoking. It damages the blood vessels in the legs and arms for example, which lead to restricted circulation and even amputation of the limbs. Also, a smoker addict will eventually start getting eye irritations (which leads to blindness), foul smelling hair, hair loss and even start developing a loss of smell. All of these reactions are due to the dangerous chemicals cigarettes contain.

There are many dangerous side effects of smoking such as cancer, lung disease, heart failure and much more. There are also some minor effects such as yellow teeth, nicotine stains on fingers, bad breath and your home and body can constantly smell of smoke. Smoking is not only a danger to you but can be to others as well through passive smoking. Inhaling other peoples smoke can cause dizziness, eye irritation, headaches, coughing, nausea and sore throat. It also increases the risk of cot deaths and if a pregnant woman smokes it can affect the baby's development.