A Physician Assistant and Founder of Careline Health Solutions, Jessie Kolugo, has cautioned the public against the practice of self-medication, describing it as a dangerous habit that can delay proper diagnosis and treatment of illnesses.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Thursday, May 28, Kolugo explained that taking medication without professional medical consultation can be dangerous to patient’s health.
According to him, individuals should avoid taking medicines that were prescribed for previous illnesses or medications that happen to be readily available at home whenever they experience symptoms of sickness.
“You don’t need to pick any drug simply because it is available to you or because it was prescribed for a previous condition. Do not use a medication prescribed for one diagnosis to treat another set of symptoms because many diseases can present similar symptoms,” he advised.
Kolugo noted that many health conditions share common symptoms, making it risky for people to assume they are suffering from the same illness they experienced in the past.
The healthcare professional emphasized that symptoms that appear familiar may be linked to a completely different medical condition requiring a different course of treatment.
“What may seem like the same sickness could actually be an entirely different condition. Without proper medical assessment, there is a risk of treating the wrong illness while the actual condition worsens,” he explained.
Kolugo further identified some of the medicines commonly abused through self-medication, including paracetamol, tramadol, and antibiotics.
He warned that the indiscriminate use of such drugs can lead to serious health complications, drug resistance, and delays in receiving appropriate treatment.
The physician assistant added that self-medication often causes patients to postpone seeking professional healthcare until their conditions have deteriorated, making treatment more difficult and sometimes more costly.
Kolugo therefore urged members of the public to seek medical attention from qualified healthcare professionals whenever they feel unwell rather than relying on self-diagnosis and self-prescribed medication.
He stressed that early diagnosis and proper treatment remain essential for preventing complications and ensuring positive health outcomes.
Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo | Elizabeth Apusaama
