It annoys the crap out of me too. I didn't mind so much in Morrowind because Morrowind was a proper old school RPG, but Skyrim is a casual action adventure where most of the fun comes from the flow of combat, sword swinging and magic flying and stuff... pausing to drink potions doesn't feel right. I usually run away and use restoration spells, then turn back to fight. I only stop to use potions if I absolutely don't have any other choice.