Health
Drug treatments
Medicinal drugs are substances than can cure, arrest, or prevent disease, relieve symptoms, or help in the diagnosis of certain disorders. Over the past 50 years, the number of drugs available has increased enormously, and new drugs have been developed that are more effective in restoring health and saving lives than ever before. Researchers continue to improve the effectiveness of existing drugs and to develop treatments for as yet unconquered areas of medicine, such as cancer and HIV infections.
Understanding drugs
All drugs, even the familiar ones such as aspirin, may have potentially harmful as well as beneficial effects. Whether you are prescribed drug treatment or you choose remedies for yourself, you will gain most benefit from drugs if you understand how they are likely to act and how to use them safely and effectively.
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Dietary supplements
For most people, dietary supplements are unnecessary. However, certain people are vulnerable to vitamin or mineral deficiencies.
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Drugs for infections and infestations
With the introduction of immunization against major childhood diseases, they are more rarely fatal to children in the developed world.
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Drugs for endocrine and metabolism disorders
Some disorders of the endocrine system and metabolism may have wide-ranging effects, and in some cases may be fatal if left untreated.
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Drugs for reproductive and urinary system disorders
Recent advances in our understanding of how the reproductive and urinary systems function have led to improved drug treatments.
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Drugs for brain and nervous system disorders
Many of the drugs that act on the brain and nervous system relieve symptoms such as pain, insomnia, and anxiety.
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Drugs for blood, immune system disorders and cancer
Improved understanding of blood and immune system disorders has led to advances in certain drug treatments.
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Drugs for skin disorders
Drugs acting on the skin are used to relieve dryness and itching, to reduce inflammation, or to treat skin infections and infestations.
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Drugs for digestive disorders
Minor digestive problems, such as indigestion or bouts of vomiting or diarrhoea, are short-lived, and most do not require treatment.
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Drugs for eye and ear disorders
Eye and ear problems need prompt attention because they affect our most important senses of sight and hearing.
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Drugs for musculoskeletal disorders
Muscoskeletal disorders, or pain in the bones, muscles, or joints are common. More serious disorders may even cause disability.
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Drugs for cardiovascular disorders
Some cardiovascular disorders ease with lifestyle changes; others require drug treatments to act on blood vessels, heart or kidneys.
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Drugs for respiratory disorders
The symptoms of some long-term respiratory disorders, such as shortness of breath, can be severe and require special medical treatment.
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