【Disclaimer】The content of the article is for reference only, the storyline is purely fictional, intended to popularize health knowledge, if you feel unwell, please seek medical treatment offline.
On a late autumn night, the cold wind howls. Uncle Li sat in the consultation room, anxiously waiting for the doctor's diagnosis. He's been coughing for over a week and can't get better.
"Uncle Li, you have acute bronchitis." The doctor pushed his glasses and said, "I'll prescribe you some cough and phlegm medicine." "
Uncle Li hurriedly waved his hand: "Doctor, don't be so troublesome." I have compound licorice tablets at home, a few dollars a bottle, and it works well after eating. "
The doctor frowned when he heard this: "Uncle Li, I suggest that you still follow the prescription I prescribed." Although the cheaper medicine can relieve symptoms, it can be risky to use in the long term. "
Uncle Li looked confused. He didn't understand why the doctor didn't recommend such a cheap and effective medicine.
With this question, Uncle Li embarked on a journey to explore the truth. He first found Uncle Zhang, an old Chinese medicine doctor who had been retired for many years. Uncle Zhang stroked his beard and said: "Compound licorice tablets do have a certain cough and phlegm effect. However, abuse may cause side effects such as edema and high blood pressure. The ancients said: 'It is a medicine with three parts of poison'. Medication should still be taken with caution. "
Uncle Li nodded thoughtfully. He remembered that his neighbor Aunt Wang was hospitalized a few days ago, and it seemed that it was caused by taking a certain drug for a long time.
The next day, Uncle Li came to the community health service center and found Nurse Liu, who had been a doctor for many years. Nurse Liu patiently explained: "Compound licorice tablets contain monoammonium glycyrrhizinate. Although this ingredient has a cough suppressant effect, it may interfere with the body's hormonal balance. Long-term use may cause problems such as hypokalemia and muscle weakness. "
Uncle Li was confused, and he decided to go to the library to check the relevant materials. There, he met Xiao Zhang, a medical student who was writing his dissertation. Xiao Zhang introduced a study published in the Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin to Uncle Li. The study showed that the glycyrrhizic compounds in the compound licorice tablets may inhibit the 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, thereby affecting glucocorticoid metabolism.
Although Uncle Li didn't know much about these technical terms, he realized that there were complex scientific principles behind this seemingly simple drug.
In order to further understand the situation, Uncle Li came to the local pharmaceutical factory. An engineer surnamed Chen told him: "The main ingredient of compound licorice tablets is licorice extract powder. A small amount of heavy metals may remain during the manufacturing process. Although the levels are low and do not cause immediate harm, there are still potential risks associated with long-term use.
Uncle Li suddenly realized. It turns out that there are so many hidden dangers behind this cheap drug. He remembered what the old barefoot doctor in his village used to say when he was a child: "Ancestral recipes don't always work, and cheap medicines don't always work."
On the way home, Uncle Li passed by a pharmacy. He saw rows of compound licorice tablets on the counter, and the price was indeed very cheap. The shopping guide next to him is recommending to customers: "This is cheap and easy to use, you can eat coughs and colds."
Uncle Li couldn't help but step forward and share what he had seen and heard in the past few days with the shopping guide and customers. They all looked surprised.
In the end, Uncle Li returned to the original clinic. He apologized to the doctor and said he understood the dangers of substance abuse. The doctor smiled with satisfaction: "Uncle Li, it's great that you can have such an understanding. The use of drugs should be based on the doctor's advice, and should not be taken at will. "
Uncle Li nodded and took the doctor's prescription. He understands that cheapness shouldn't be the only consideration when it comes to medication. Safety, appropriate amount, and symptomatic treatment are the keys to correct medication.
Walking out of the clinic, Uncle Li looked at the sunset in the sky and was full of emotion. This experience gave him a new understanding of medicine and pharmacology. He decided to share what he saw and heard with the people around him, hoping to help more people understand the importance of drug use.
After returning home, Uncle Li opened his diary and solemnly wrote the following paragraph: "Although cheap drugs can solve urgent needs, they may bury hidden health risks. Scientific use of medicine and following the doctor's advice is the long-term solution to protect health. "
Closing the diary, a relieved smile appeared on Uncle Li's face. He knew that this experience not only taught him valuable knowledge, but also gave him a deeper understanding of life and health.
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(The story in the article is purely fictional, if there is any similarity is purely coincidental, if the body is not well, seek medical help in time)