Medication Side Effects: One of the Top 10 Challenges in Public Health

In this modern era, competition and stress are at high peaks. So, keeping our health in the best state is really very important. But what is health? Health is an overall entity of a person’s physical, mental and social well-being. 

If you want to contribute for the betterment of a nation, you should enhance your knowledge in public health. Therefore, studying masters in public health from a renowned university is a good decision so that you can turn your aspiration into a reality.

In this blog, we will discuss different public health issues, mostly focusing on medication side effects towards public health.

Health Status of the Indian Population

Health problems in India lie in changing population, environment, and lifestyle. In fact, in early 20th century India, various outbreaks occurred because of infectious diseases. Public health, however, improved with the low-cost yet effective medications against tuberculosis as well as malaria, besides developing a treatment for cancer. 

However, diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria still afflict many people. Unhealthy lifestyles are day by day bringing a larger increase in diabetes and heart problems. With that, one gets to consume medicines which they are aware of the dangerous side effects too. So, studying masters in public health from one of the best universities in the world, students can gain knowledge and raise awareness for the betterment of public health.  

Disease Burden in India

Disease is the primary burden of the country, which makes it a topic of great interest among graduate students pursuing masters in public health. 

1. India has the maximum cases of TB in the whole world: nearly 1.9 million cases every year.
2. Millions throughout the year suffer from diseases including malaria, HIV, and diarrhea.
3. There are many other infections that breed new diseases and become the vital cause of deaths.
4. Lately, it is quite common that heart disease, respiratory diseases, and cancers are highly increasing and affect the holistic development of the nation. 

Top 9 Challenges in Public Health: 

Today, public health faces various challenges that affect communities worldwide. Therefore, if we want to improve the quality of life, we should sort out these challenges. Before contemplating on the betterment of public health we have to get to know the top 10 challenges prevailing across the world. 

1. Chronic illnesses: We must focus on chronic illness as this may lead to diabetes, heart disease, and cancer later in life. So, we should follow healthy lifestyles to prevent and manage such conditions.
2. Infectious diseases: A clear reflection of this need is coming from recent outbreaks these days, for instance, in diseases like COVID-19, malaria, and tuberculosis.
3. Medication side effects: With the advent of various chronic diseases and, of course, infectious diseases, we all go to medications. But the side effects of those medications come into play when you tend to depend much on it. So, it’s a great challenge to get rid of side effects caused by medication occurrence.
4. Access to Health: Due to the large population it is a great challenge to provide affordable and quality healthcare services to all. 
5. Health inequalities: Social and economic disparities lead to unequal health outcomes on a very big scale. Making this gap smaller is a major priority.
6. Environmental health: Air pollution, climate change, and water quality harm public health. Solutions require world cooperation.
7. Nutrition and Obesity: Poor diet and obesity are growing problems for public health well-being. 
8. Global pandemics: Preparedness for and response to pandemics presents one of the largest set of challenges to population health. 
9. Health Education: Most health problems can be prevented through proper awareness and education. Therefore, public health professionals play a significant role.

So, studying Masters in Public Health at the best university in India equips you with the skills and knowledge to tackle these challenges effectively. This degree focuses on prevention, policy-making, and community health improvement. 

What are Medication Side Effects? 

Adverse effects are associated with all medicines. From the common drug calpol or flexon to the most highly advanced prescription medications may cause side-effects. Some are mild, some are mere inconveniences, and some are very severe. 

There are a bunch of unwanted and undesirable effects, which preferably have something to do with drugs: side effects. The dissimilarity can go from sneezing to lifetime effects like heart attack or liver damage.

Commonly accepted side effects include nausea, dry mouth, and drowsiness. Adverse events resulting in critical issues such as anathema, hospitalization, disability, or permanent damage are said to be serious side effects.

Top 10 Medication Side Effects You Should Not Ignore

Medications can improve our health, but they can also cause side effects that shouldn’t be overlooked. Being aware of these can help you take timely action. Here are 10 common side effects we must be aware of:

• Anxiety: It is a very common side effect of medications. And this side effect can lead to chest pain, inability to concentrate, sleeplessness, and loss of appetite.
• Digestive Problems: Side effects like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration enhance digestive problems and adversely affect overall health.
• Drowsiness: Being too sleepy makes it hard to perform daily routines and work, and it can cause deadly situations such as traffic accidents.
• Dizziness: Dizziness is another side effect that makes falling and injury more likely, primarily in older individuals.
• Dry Mouth: Dry mouth leads to tooth plaque, tooth decay, and gum diseases. 
• Insomnia: Sleep-disrupting medications are detrimental to mental and physical health, provoking weight gain and diabetes and mood disorders.
• Rash: Drug allergy is usually manifested by rashes or hives. Rarely, severe allergic reactions can cause breathing difficulties as well as life-threatening skin conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
• Heart Palpitations: Certain medications tend to induce fast or irregular heartbeats with, at times, associated symptoms like chest pain. Do not ignore experiencing chest pain; it may signify severe problems.
• Shortness of Breath: Allergic drugs can make you gasp for breath. At times, they manifest with wheezes, chest pain or coughing, and for these conditions, it warrants seeking medical help immediately.
• Swelling: Medications can cause swollen arms and legs. 

However, if you want to begin your career journey in the field of public health, studying for a masters in public health program is a wide decision.