[Lao Dong Newspaper] Bringing disaster upon oneself due to self-treatment based on word-of-mouth advice

Many people suffering from hand numbness, wrist pain, or trigger finger do not seek early medical attention, choosing instead to self-treat based on unverified advice or internet sources, which worsens their condition and delays treatment.

Dr. Do Vu Anh examines and advises a patient against self-treating based on word-of-mouth remedies.

Taking 11 types of medication a day due to... imitating an acquaintance

MSc. Dr. Do Vu Anh from the Department of Upper Extremity Surgery and Sports Medicine (an expert in orthopedics, traumatology, and sports medicine) at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital shared that during clinical practice, he has recorded numerous cases of patients experiencing peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes such as carpal tunnel syndrome or trigger finger. Despite directly affecting daily activities, work, and quality of life, quite a few people still choose to self-treat at home instead of visiting specialized medical facilities.

Take the case of a female patient in Ho Chi Minh City suffering from neck and shoulder pain. Although the doctor prescribed 2-3 types of medication, she arbitrarily took up to 11 types of medication a day after listening to an acquaintance's advice. Another case is an elderly patient whom doctors advised to undergo early surgery, but because neighbors scared her that the success rate was only 50/50, she stubbornly refused surgery despite her children's earnest persuasion.

Dr. Do Vu Anh stated that these are not isolated stories. Many people see neighbors or acquaintances who had similar symptoms and were cured, so they immediately ask to buy the exact same medication to use, without realizing that each person's medical condition is different. Quite a few people also place too much trust in information on the internet, turning themselves into their own doctors.

A patient who underwent bilateral total hip arthroplasty via a minimally invasive surgical approach was able to walk 6 hours postoperatively.

According to doctors, the biggest barrier does not lie in the rarity of the disease, but in the psychological mindset of "grasping at any straw when sick." When experiencing pain, fatigue, or hand numbness, many people often ask for experiences from acquaintances and neighbors, or even follow unfounded word-of-mouth advice instead of seeking professional consultation.

Another common misconception is assuming that hand numbness is merely a sign of old age, aging, or joint degeneration. Stemming from this belief, patients self-treat in various ways, from taking oral medication and receiving local injections of unknown substances, to stopping treatment abruptly when they feel temporary relief. When the condition repeatedly recurs or medications become ineffective, many people become discouraged and give up because they do not know where to seek medical examination or how to treat it.

Dr. Do Vu Anh added that nerve entrapment pathologies such as carpal tunnel syndrome are not rare conditions, and to a specialist, the treatment is not overly complicated. What mainly causes anxiety for patients is that they have not been fully explained about their medical condition as well as the specific treatment roadmap.

"Same-day surgery" solution addresses patients' psychological concerns

Dr. Do Vu Anh emphasized that to alleviate psychological fear, doctors need to spend time clearly counseling patients, ranging from the current extent of injury to prioritized treatment steps such as medication, injections, or rehabilitation. Patients also need to be clearly informed that if conservative treatment is ineffective or the condition relapses multiple times, surgery is a necessary, safe, and appropriate solution.

Not only reluctant to seek medical examination, many people are also afraid of surgery thinking it requires a long hospital stay, is costly, and disrupts work and family life. However, for cases indicated for current intervention, many techniques have helped limit invasiveness, ensure aesthetics, reduce complications, and provide greater convenience for patients post-surgery.

According to doctors, many surgeries can now be performed as day-case procedures. After the intervention, patients can go home to rest, gradually recover, and return to normal life soon.

Amidst the development of social media and AI, online medical information has become a "double-edged sword": while it spreads quickly, it is easily distorted by unprofessional channels or even fraudulent ones. This forces doctors to change their mindset, requiring not only clinical expertise but also a focus on communication, and the enhancement of healthcare quality and medical services.

Source: Lao Dong Newspaper