Social media is an integral part of our life. It is considered to be the most important means to connect with people, express their feelings and know the things going on in society. But using it in the wrong way can have serious side effects for you, even fatal.
One such recent case is in the headlines these days where a person used an overdose of medicine mentioned in a YouTube video for toothache, which led to his death.
The matter is of Jharkhand. According to media reports, a man named Ajay Mahato, who searched for a remedy for toothache, allegedly consumed an overdose of oleander seeds based on the remedies mentioned in a video, which led to his death. Mahato's health deteriorated after consuming oleander seeds, after which he was taken to the nearest community health center, where he was confirmed dead.
Information was obtained from social media videos
The father of the deceased told that his son was preparing for the competitive examination, and a week back he had a severe toothache. She adopted the oleander seed remedy after watching a lot of videos. It is important to know here that there is no known medical record that says that oleander seeds can cure toothache. Health experts have noted that oleander seeds or leaves can cause serious poisoning.
Oleander plant with toxic effects
The oleander plant has been used in herbal medicine since the 15th century, say experts in Medical Reports. Its use as an antiviral is beneficial, but the dosage and method of use are recommended by experienced clinical herbalists or other practitioners. Since it is a dangerous and toxic plant, its use by itself can be fatal.
What do health experts say?
Talking to Amar Ujala, Dr. Nandan Sameer of Intensive Care, Gurugram says, this is not the only case. Often, many such cases come to hospitals in which patients first start treatment themselves by looking at the internet and then reach the hospital when the condition worsens. This is a very frightening trend, there is no measure of authenticity of social media videos, especially medical videos. People share anything to get views in the name of content.
A medicine doesn't need to be beneficial for all.
Dr. Nandan says we all have different body structures and mechanisms. The prescription drug which is giving
to one person doesn't need to be beneficial to all. If the effect of the medicines prescribed by the doctor can vary from person to person, then using social media or YouTube to use a remedy as medicine is like inviting serious complications.
Whatever the disease, neither use the remedies mentioned on the internet nor use the medicines written in someone else's prescription. Doctors always prescribe medicines based on your medical history.
(PC: Freepik)
