Drug Ads

[digitS']

Have you ever wondered about those thing on teevee and in magazines?

You know, the US is one of the few countries where drug companies can advertise directly to the public.

Here's a thought that I had this morning after looking at all the possible side-effects listed. Do you suppose that these constant ads encourage Americans to take serious risks, not only with treating a health problem but with their bodies generally and in other aspects of their lives? Caution to the winds ...

Steve

 

[Zeedman]

Do you suppose that these constant ads encourage Americans to take serious risks, not only with treating a health problem but with their bodies generally and in other aspects of their lives? Caution to the winds ...

Steve

It's entirely possible. The constant exposure to danger causes you to eventually accept a higher level of danger in your life... which can make you less cautious. That is, unfortunately, one of the normal responses to stress. I've always felt that tobacco usage had a similar effect, that those who accepted that risk were more likely to engage in other risky behavior.

I remember reading a published article many years back, in which the author postulated that resistance to the government-imposed 55 MPH speed limit was the beginning of disrespect for law in general. He made a very convincing argument. Sometimes apparently minor events can have ramifications far greater, and longer lasting, than the event which spawned them.

And about those ads & commercials... I can't help but notice how many of these new biological drugs can weaken the immune system. Quite frankly, I find that frightening. The commercials show smiling, happy people in social situations. If someone sneezing on you could potentially cause your death, would the average person really expose themselves to that risk? And all for the sake of clear skin??? If true, that may indicate, @digitS' , that we really are becoming accustomed to comparatively high risk for relatively low reward - which would not bode well for our future.

 

[baymule]

ALL medications come with side effects. I take none of them. Once in a blue moon I might take an ibuprofen, but even that is very seldom. Big Pharma is not going to make me healthy--I am--and my garden, the eggs and meat we raise.

 

[canesisters]

AMEN @baymule !

I use essential oils as medicine when needed. It AMAZES me what a drop of oil can do

 

[seedcorn]

While I agree that meds may cause more problems, there are many valid reasons to use them. Do not throw out the baby with the bath water. Eating better will not deter some problems. Although eating incorrectly will cause many problems-increased glucose levels.

The main reason they are so expensive in USA vs other countries—LAWYERS & PEOPLE WHO USE THEM. GUARANTEED, you sell a product someone will sue with some immoral lawyer. Lawyer don’t care about right or wrong, just legal, illegal.

 

[canesisters]

While I agree that meds may cause more problems, there are many valid reasons to use them.

Agree - if you are sick, get well and try to stay well. If something is not working properly, then you NEED to do what's necessary to fix it. I tell folks that one of my blends can help them to not get a cold... but it won't do much if they are already have a cold. No amount of proper eating or applying oils will fix a broken leg.

 

[seedcorn]

Foods react differently to different people. Recently I’ve had to undergo a lifestyle change-food, exercise-to stay off of certain meds. Seems to be working but may not for others. Still in testing stage. To see what foods my body reacts positive or negative to.

 

[ninnymary]

I see the ads come on but I don't pay attention to them. I couldn't tell you what they even are! I'm like Bay, I try to stay healthy and well by taking good care of my body. I don't like to take meds unless I really have too and that is rarely, thank goodness.

Mary

 

[Ridgerunner]

I regularly take 4 "medicines". One is an aspirin regimen. I have a strong history of heart problem in my family, my father had a triple bypass at 62, one brother and one sister died of heart attacks in their 40's. My blood pressure, cholesterol, and all that are great but it's still one little bitty aspirin a day.

I spray a generic nose spray each day. I started that many years back when I was getting three or so sinus infections a year. The last sinus infection I had was over 10 years ago when I checked to see if I still need it. I do.

Then I take vitamin D and calcium. My doctor recommended those. But I noticed when I get blood work those were in the higher portions of the good range so I cut them in half. Test results are still in a real good place. If they remain there after my next tests I may drop them back even further.

When I go to a specialist or some new medical professional and tell them what medications I take they are usually amazed that is all I take for someone my age. They are also amazed at my blood pressure after I get off the scale. I wonder how much it would help if I lost that 20 to 25 pounds I really need to lose?

Steve, I watch the evening news daily. The drug advertisements seem to be what funds those shows. I'd probably recognize several of the drug names they advertise but I also would not know what they are used for. I tune them out.

 

[canesisters]

It always "amuses" me to try and catch the super-speeded-up disclaimer at the end of the drug ads. A drug that is to help with itchy skin and shows people frolicking at a fall festival is followed by "may-cause-brain-bleeds,seizures,sudden-explosive-abdominal-emmisions,sudden-death-or-other-serious-side-effects"