I recently saw a commercial for a new medication. These types of ads are very common...but this particular commercial was different.

This was the first ad that I had seen for a drug specifically designed to combat the side effects of another medication.

At the end of the commercial, there was inevitably a list of 10-15 side effects that this drug might have, which left me remembering a statement I once heard:

When you take a medication, it does what the chemicals in the drug are designed to do. And while drugs are advertised for ONE of the ways that it could impact you, this is no more an effect than anything listed at the end of the commercial.

When you hear that a drug “may” cause bleeding, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, or death, it is because people have taken that medication and had those effects. People have taken that drug and died because of it.

But, because it’s labeled as a side effect, we think, oh well, it won’t happen to me. And yes, not all meds will kill you, but most do have unwanted consequences.

Yet we are so used to the idea of "side effects" that drug companies feel no shame in developing and promoting medications to counteract the problems of the drug they originally developed.

How did we get to the point that we are now taking drugs for our drugs?

I think there are a few issues at play:

1. Doctors are limited in their ability to help their patients (more on this below).
2. When you go to multiple doctors, they often do not look at your current medication list before prescribing a new one.
3. We have an incomplete view of our health issues, leading us to believe that drugs are the only answer.

First things first, I do not blame doctors for the issue. Doctors care about their patients, but are often left with limited options when clients do not make the lifestyle changes necessary to improve their health.

When you only see your doctor a few times a year and they see your health getting worse, they are obligated to do something to help, even if it is not necessarily the best option.

Add to this that many people have multiple doctors that do not always share information. It is not uncommon for a doctor to prescribe a medication without knowing all the other medications you are on.

This can result in a situation where you are taking multiple medications that do not interact well together and amplify the side effects.

Ultimately, I believe both of these issues are a result of point #3...that we, the patient, do not have a complete understanding of our health issues.

We are used to the idea that high blood pressure, high cholesterol, risk of stroke, cancer, etc. are just a natural part of aging and that the inevitable solution is medication.

And sometimes medication is the only path forward.

But very often, we have much more control over these things than we realize.

Diet, exercise, sleep, water...the things you already know are important for you, can make all the difference. And while it is certainly easier to take a pill, the impact of that medication on your quality of life may not be worth it.

Here are the two things I recommend:

First, reflect on the idea that your medication is a drug with effects (both good and bad). Understand the risks of medication and make an educated decision before starting down that path.

Second, if you do have health concerns, see what improvements you can make in your exercise, diet, and lifestyle to support your health goals. This does take time, but remember that the alternative is not an easy way out.

Consider this...if you take a drug that lowers your cholesterol, but makes you gain weight, gives you headaches, and makes you tired, is the life you are trying to extend getting better or worse?

Again, if this is the last resort, I can understand, but things like cholesterol, diabetes, and blood pressure are symptoms of poor health. They indicate when the body is not being taken care of and can be changed when the right steps are taken.

And the best part:

The "side effects" of exercise, diet, and lifestyle are all positive! Better sleep, better mood, mental clarity, feelings of empowerment, better digestion, improved energy, and of course keeping a healthy weight.

Improved "health" is certainly a great reason to change something in your life, but even that isn't the best part about taking a different approach to solving these issues.

Because health for the sake of health means nothing. Health is all about allowing you to do more of what you love in life.

It's about going on adventures with your kids and grandkids.

It's about traveling and playing sports with your friends.

And it's about being fully present with others, building connections and enjoying each other's company.

All of these things are enhanced when you are taking care of your physical and mental health.

Life becomes fun again.

That is really what this article is about. It’s about stepping back and thinking about what you want for your life.

And I encourage anyone who is struggling with the EFFECTS of medication to take a second look at if you are getting what you want or if it's time to take a new path forward.

Mint Condition Fitness empowers adults 50+ to take control of their fitness and live the life they envisioned.