The Troublesome Side-Effects of Long-Term Pain Pill Use
The use of pain pills has become almost a knee-jerk reaction in our society. Even the slightest hint of a headache or a minor pain has most Americans reaching into their pill cabinets for a quick dose of Tylenol. And with the “more is better” philosophy we tend to have, people may take double or even triple the recommended dosage.
There seems to be this belief that because it’s sold over-the-counter, that it’s somehow safe to take any way you wish. This couldn’t be further from the truth and is, in fact, the reason that pain pill overdoses are one of the most common types of calls made to the Poison Control Center every year.
The truth is acetaminophen, the primary ingredient in many OTC pain medications, is the leading cause of liver failure in Western countries.
And that’s not all.
Over-the-counter pain pills can cause serious side effects including high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart attack, stroke, and gastrointestinal disorders.
Users of prescription painkillers fare much worse. Addiction is common and long-term narcotic use can even worsen your pain.
Getting to the Bottom of Your Pain
Perhaps the largest problem with long-term pain pill usage is that they only serve to mask the real problem.
Pain is a way for your body to tell you something is not right. While your goal is to eliminate the pain, it should be done by treating the cause, not by hiding behind pills.
To begin, find a nearby chronic pain specialist who can help you identify the cause of your pain. Once the cause has been found, a treatment plan can be created that will set you on the path of eliminating your pain once and for all.
