An article in the Annals
of Family Medicine describes the “Prescription Cascade” wherein
prescription drugs produce side effects or adverse reactions with other drugs prompting
the prescribing of additional drugs to manage the symptoms produced by the side
effects and adverse reactions. This
prescription cascade results in added costs to healthcare and detrimental
situations for patients.
The effects of the prescription cascade are particularly
troublesome when physicians fail to recognize when these adverse reactions are
taking place. A full two-thirds of patients have reported symptoms that can be
traced to their diabetes or hypertension medications (or a combination of the
two). These types of symptoms have resulted in hospitalizations where the
medications are then changed to less detrimental medications.
The researchers in this study found that 89% of patients are
taking multiple medications at the same time with an average of 4.8 medications
being consumed every day. A whopping 51% of patients on medication are taking
more than 5 medications each day. In many of these situations, the patient is
expected to be taking medications on a “permanent” basis.
The price tag of such care is raising the cost of healthcare
to unprecedented levels. Preventive healthcare may be what saves Americans from
the spiraling costs of healthcare because by staying healthy all these expenses
and anguish are avoided.
The “Prescription Cascade” described by authors of an
article in the Annals of Family Medicine
consists of the scenario in which prescription drugs produce side effects or
adverse reactions with other drugs. These side effects or the adverse reactions
from prescription drugs prompt doctors to prescribe more drugs to combat the
symptoms produced by the side effects and adverse reactions. The prescription cascade has rapidly been
adding additional costs to healthcare and it is a situation that is detrimental
(and may be fatal) for patients caught in these downwardly spiraling circumstances.
One family physician quoted in the study related that he
“tells most new diabetics the sad news is that they’re going to be on 5 meds.” Another
physician relates that one of his patients was taking a total of 11 mediations
that have led to the development of severe indigestion and breathing problems. It
is because of scenarios like these that the authors of this study have called
for reform of how much influence the pharmaceutical industry has on the
practice of medicine. However, the best route for patients to take may be to
look toward natural healing methods of healthcare such as chiropractic and
nutritional counseling instead of falling into the prescription cascade where
they may never escape.
Is there a better way to avoid the prescription cascade? Yes
there is but many people are unwilling to accept that they have to give up
their self-destructive lifestyles. Giving up smoking, junk food, sedentary
lifestyle, over-the-counter drugs, and prescription medications is a good start
to avoiding the prescription cascade.
However, many people are unwilling to accept a healthy
lifestyle encompassing regular chiropractic adjustments, regular exercise,
getting adequate rest, eating more raw vegetables and fresh fruits, and
limiting their exposure to environmental toxins. Staying healthy will help you
avoid the pitfalls of the prescription cascade.
If you are interested in making these changes to your
lifestyle see your local Doctor of Chiropractic for help with avoiding the costly
and health depleting “Prescription Cascade.”
If you have more questions about our services, contact us at 410-256-9650 or sign-up at www.phcpt.com for a free consultation!
Perry Hall Chiropractic and Physical Therapy
8817 Belair Road
Perry Hall, MD 21236
410-256-9650
