There's a common affliction that's rampant in my practice, but it's not a gastrointestinal condition. It's called polypharmacy, and it refers to patients who are receiving a pile of prescription and other medications. I see this daily in the office and in the hospital. It's common enough to see patients who are receiving 10 or more medications, usually from 3 or 4 medical specialists. Of course, every doctor feels that he is prescribing only what is truly necessary. If an individual has an internist, a cardiologist, a gastroenterologist, a urologist and a dermatologist – which is not unusual - and each prescribes only 2 or 3 essential medicines, then polypharmacy is created. Each day, the patient swallows a chemistry set. First of all, I don't know how these patients, who are often elderly, manage the logistics of taking various medicines throughout the day and evening, before meals, after meals and at bedtime. Who can keep track of this? Nurs
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