Why Pain Killers Are Harmful to Health
When you're in pain, you want to find the fastest relief possible. Painkillers are usually a quick fix, but they can also be harmful to health. If you're not careful, you could be trading in temporary relief for long-term problems.
There are numerous risks associated with painkillers, regardless of whether they're prescription-strength or over-the-counter. Read on to get the facts before you reach for the medicine cabinet.
Painkillers Are Highly Addictive
Every day, more than 100 Americans die from an opioid overdose. Most of these tragic cases began from developing a dependency on painkillers. People falsely believe that because a doctor prescribes a pill, it's safe or non-addictive. Sadly, a large percentage of those prescribed painkillers misuse them. This is the inherent danger in relying on a pill to numb pain.
Many of those patients who misuse painkillers develop a dependency and a portion of them go on to experiment with stronger, more dangerous opioids like heroin. We're in the middle of an epidemic. But there are alternative ways to get rid of pain without relying on drugs.
Long-Term Harmful to Health Side Effects
Opioids are not the only potentially harmful variety of painkillers. Overdosing on acetaminophen (Tylenol and generic versions of it) is the leading cause of liver failure in America. In the majority of these cases, the overdose is accidental. People aren't aware they're taking too much Tylenol until it's too late. With so much inconsistency in the labeling and instructions, there's no wonder why 80,000 Americans end up in the ER every year with acetaminophen-related problems.
If you have liver disease or drink regularly, you should avoid acetaminophen altogether. Read labels carefully to avoid accidentally overdosing. Hundreds of over-the-counter medications contain acetaminophen. If you're taking two or three types of treatments to fight a cold, for example, it's highly probable that they all contain the drug.
Painkillers Don't Fix Your Pain
Though it can be hard to remember in the moment, pain is a symptom., not the underlying problem. It indicates that something is wrong that needs our attention. So while painkillers can make you feel better, they don't deal with the root issue. They just mask it.
It's important that you address the cause of your pain so you can make the necessary life changes to eliminate it. Not doing so could make you continue to rely on painkillers and can be very harmful to your health. Be open to changes in diet or lifestyle. Solving the actual problem is a process that requires commitment and patience with yourself. But you can do it!
Relying on pills alone will only trigger a dependency on them to constantly numb your pain. You deserve a better quality of life than that.
Live a Pain-Free Life
Painkillers aren't inherently bad. When used sparingly and according to instruction, they can provide necessary temporary relief. But they're no substitute for actually healing what's causing your symptoms. At Busch Chiropractic we've been helping our friends in the Fort Wayne area find lasting relief for years -- without harmful drugs. If you're suffering from chronic pain, we can work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to help you relive the pain, not just mask the symptoms.
Schedule an appointment today so can be on your way to living a pain-free, drug-free life.
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