The human body was built in such a way that evolution is a necessity for survival. Ever since man's very conception on earth, the ability to adapt to anything is perhaps one of our greatest assets and a tool we will continue to use to solidify our place in the planet. There are different organisms on earth that has the human anatomy beat in terms of raw power, speed and senses, the ability to think is the only thing that gives man an edge over other animals. The human brain has continued to evolve over time and with it the body as well. This has ensured that mankind has become masters of their environment. However, this very evolution which has been a catalyst towards our development is also a double edged sword sharp enough to cut us as well when it reaches a certain level.
As much as evolution is relevant, there certain times when instead ensuring survival, it becomes a threat to human life. This is a predominant occurrence in the tug of war between diseases and medications. The very drugs which were created to relieve pain and treatment illness start to lose their effectiveness until they gradually become harmful substances to the body, a total aberration from its intended purpose. This does not in any way mean that the medications are useless, it is just a sign that nature is fighting back and evolving to combat the foreigner in the form of the medicines.
Taking a particular drug constantly over time will eventually make the body used to it until the body becomes less and less responsive to the effects. Adaptation looms its head even when it is not needed and what was once a relief with a few doses slowly starts to struggle in terms of effectiveness. To make that the desired outcome is achievable, the dosage continues to increase untill it eventually morphs into a full on substance abuse or stops working completely.
My younger sister struggles with intense pain from menstrual cramps every month which compels her to take pain killers all through this period just to manage through it all. I know this because I am responsible for getting her the drugs from the pharmacy when she is in pain. The sad part about this she uses different pain killers for every month because once she takes one a month, her body adapts to it and renders it completely useless unless it is very effective and this case it can I lay fight for about two months. There was a time when the pain was so strong and her so used to pain killers that we had to buy five different varieties for it to work which inevitably caused more damage sending to the hospital the next day😞. Currently when she takes a painkiller and it doesn't work we just tell to fight with the pain because doing anything extra will be detrimental to her health. She is also on the path of dealing with this without the painkillers entirely, I just hope she is strong enough to push through it.
Self medication is also problem that triggers evolution in this way. A lot of Nigerians (myself included) don't even go the hospital for a doctor's prescription before engaging in treatment. We either buy drugs that have been used previously to treat ourselves if the symptoms seem the same or just straight buy any medicine we think is good. Another major issue is the inability to complete the dosage largely because we feel we are getting better and the medicine has served its course ignoring the fact that we have to take it all to complete the treatment.
With the problem evolution poses to humanity, there is still a light at the end of the tunnel. The quest for knowledge which is the foundation of science will continue to be our source for victory in this neverending battle. As evolution reacts, science responds with the development of new vaccines, unique drugs that work for specific body systems and many more. I believe with the direction the world is moving, scientist will soon be able to innovate medications capable of curing any sickness faster that the body can react and no matter have fierce nature fights back, it will inevitable lose to scientific growth tipping the scale to the favour of humanity..
Thank you
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