Paracetamol is an incredibly safe, remarkably effective, cheap and easily available painkiller. I realise it can be a bit nasty in overdose and cats definitely wouldn't agree with me. But in a world of overrated treatments which are distinctly toxic and with dubious benefits to humankind it is just about one of the best that exists.
But some patients just do not want to take painkillers. So let me ask: If you have a headache and you take paracetamol and the headache goes, do you still have the migraine? Have you somehow masked a problem which is still there?
It reminded me of the philosophical chestnut - Does a tree falling in a forest make a sound? Now I am not much of a philosopher but health beliefs are important to patients. The pragmatist in me is infuriated at the contrariness of the patients who would rather be in pain than try a simple remedy. Of course, I realise that what is needed is to appreciate their perspective in a little more depth and root out their concerns.
An idea!
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I have a suggestion for our latest health ministers. Now, let me see, who
are the health ministers this month? Ah Yes, Mr Andrew 'Andy' Burnham MP and
Mr M...
2 hours ago
2 comments:
That question was first posed to me (and our class) by the headmistress of the school. My immediate reaction was 'yes, of course it does' but now I realise it is a much more complex question than I realised.
She also told a joke about a person who went to the baker to order a cake in the shape of an S for someone's birthday. It was a long story involving repeated trips back to the baker by the person ordering the cake to demand that it be replaced and increasing frustration on the part of the baker.
In the end the baker pressed really hard for an explanation of what was wrong with his prior efforts.
The response was ' it was supposed to be a CAPITAL S'
This joke met with silence from most of the class and sycophantic laughter from some.
It is amazing how I still remember both some 50 years later
many countries mandate the antidote to paracetamol in the pills with the drug itself, i really dont see why the UK doesnt do this, and help save the countless needless deaths from overdose
very modest cost for the lives saved
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