In my career as a doctor, I have witnessed the rise and fall of many treatments, but none have impressed me as much as the "butt needle". It used to be synonymous with treatment, whether it is acute pain or high fever that does not go away, a single injection, the condition seems to be miraculously relieved. However, over time, this once ubiquitous form of treatment faded into obscurity. Today, I'd like to share some of my own observations and reflections on why the "butt needle" has gone from its former glory to its current marginalization.
I remember one time, a young mother hurriedly came to the clinic with her baby in her arms. The child has been suffering from a high fever for almost three days, and the parents are so anxious that they almost cry. In those days when there weren't many options, I decided to give my kids a "butt needle". At that time, we believed that this was the fastest way to get results. Sure enough, in less than half a day, the child's fever began to subside, and the parents' faces showed a long-lost smile. This incident gave me great satisfaction and deepened my trust in the effect of the "butt needle".
1. What is the sacredness of the "butt needle"?
First of all, let's figure out that the so-called "butt needle" is actually a intramuscular injection. Because it usually chooses the buttocks as the injection site, it is commonly known. This injection method was once a "panacea" in hospitals because it could make the drug work faster and at a lower cost.
2. Why was it so popular?
Imagine a parent anxiously coming to the hospital with a child with a fever in her arms, and the doctor gives a needle, and the child's body temperature quickly drops. This kind of quick-acting scenario is the direct cause of the popularity of "ass needles". Not only that, but its cost advantage has also benefited countless patients.
Third, behind the scenery is no longer there
However, with the advancement of medicine and the diversification of treatment methods, the aura of "butt needle" gradually dimmed.
With the rise of new drugs and treatments, many oral medications and intravenous administrations have been significantly more efficient, making treatment no longer limited to intramuscular injections.
The emphasis on pain management, the pain and discomfort caused by intramuscular injections have become an increasingly unacceptable part of people. People are looking for more comfortable treatments.
The deepening of medical research and the deepening of the understanding of the potential risks of intramuscular injection, such as infection at the injection site and local reactions to drugs, have prompted the medical community to seek safer ways to administer drugs.
4. Intramuscular injections: pros and cons
Intramuscular injections do have their irreplaceable advantages, especially in emergency situations where rapid administration is required. However, unavoidable pain, the risk of infection, and restrictions on the rate at which a particular drug is absorbed are all significant drawbacks.
5. Position in modern medical care
While "butt injections" are no longer a regular for routine treatments, it is still one of the best options in some special cases. For example, intramuscular injections can come in handy when patients are unable to take oral medications, or when they need to quickly control their condition.
6. New options for patients
Today's patients are more concerned about the comfort and safety of the treatment process. Through interviews with several patients, I found that many people still have the impression of "butt injection" in the memory of pain, and are open to choosing a more humane and less painful treatment.
The decrease in the use of "butt needles" reflects the continuous improvement of medical practice and the increasing demand for medical experience. As physicians, we need to constantly learn and adapt to these changes to serve our patients in the best possible way. While some of the old ways may fade into obscurity, the essence of medicine – treating the sick, alleviating suffering, treating the sick – will never change.