We are prescribed over the counter pain pills with very little thought as to any possible negative side effects. It’s as if Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, Aleve and the rest are completely safe and we can take them without a second thought. We tend to forget that every drug carries the potential for causing adverse effects, particularly if used in combination with other drugs, which unfortunately is often the case.
We know not to give young children aspirin as it can cause Reye’s Syndrome, which causes brain and liver damage. In adults who have had a heart attack and are prescribed daily aspirin, it can cause dangerous bleeding in the brain and stomach.
It’s now known that Tylenol (acetaminophen) is extremely toxic to the liver and in fact people have ended up on the liver transplant list who didn’t abuse it, just took it as directed! In fact it’s responsible for almost half of all acute liver failure cases in our country.
If you thought that Advil (Ibuprofen) or Motrin for that matter, were a completely safe option, not so fast. First of all they’ve been found to triple the risk of strokes and increases the likelihood of a heart attack when taken over a long period of time (which often they are). Even more frightening was what happened to this teenager simply from taking Advil.
I’ve said it many times – a headache isn’t an “Advil deficiency.” We have to stop just automatically looking to medicate ourselves and stop pain without looking for the cause. A headache may mean you’ve been focused on the computer too long and need a break, or you are hungry or tired! There are natural supplements that work very effectively and safely when you have pain that should be a first choice while you figure out what is causing your pain.
How often do you take over the counter pain medications?
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An excellent point Ann, a headache is not an Advil deficiency. To answer your question, I only take over the counter medications after all other options have been exhausted, less than once a month.
Thank you Holly and that’s great – you are obviously using wisdom and using them when truly needed.
Ann, I like your line, “I’ve said it many times – a headache isn’t an ‘Advil deficiency.’” I took these meds to avoid taking prescription pain meds when I had knee surgery thinking I was protecting myself. I appreciate you sounding the warning, Ann.
Thanks so much Debbie. The more I am learning about essential oils the more I realize we have some powerful natural remedies at our fingertips!