Many people have conditions that require daily medications. Asthma is a common medical problem that needs to be controlled with daily medication. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are also conditions that require doctor’s care and daily medications. Diabetes is another condition that needs constant medical monitoring. It is important to take your medications properly and as directed. Some people find it hard to get into the routine of taking medications daily, while others have a hard time with the dosing or timing of the medications needed.
It is important to treat your medical conditions so that you can prevent a larger problem. For example, treating your high blood pressure can prevent a stroke or heart attack, and treating your asthma with a control medication can prevent life threatening asthma attacks. If taking daily medication is new to you, you might find it hard to get into the routine of taking the medications every day. There are some things that you can do that might help you remember.
Taking your medication at the same time every day is important. It is a good idea to do it alongside other daily routines, such as eating breakfast, or brushing your teeth, which is something you do every day. Keeping a “medicine calendar “beside your medication may help you remember to take it, you can mark it when you take your medication. This may also help if you can’t remember it you took your medication that day or not, you would just have to look at your calendar.
You should also be informed about your medications, know what they are prescribed for, what potential side effects and also how you are supposed to take them. If your medical routine is very complicated, a color coded system might be helpful, for example putting a red flag on all morning medications, yellow on afternoon, and blue on evening.
If you are still having trouble remembering, there are various pill containers that are sold that have reminders built in, for example, they might have a timer cap that will remind you to take your medication or they might beep loudly to alert you that it is time. If you feel like your medication is not making a difference, talk to your doctor about it. Do not stop taking your medications without consulting with your healthcare professional.