It’s easy to assume that if something is sold over the counter or even prescribed by your doctor, then it is safe. But this isn’t always the case. In fact many of the seemingly harmless bottles in your medicine cabinet can carry some dangerous risk. Pay close attention to what these dangers are, learn the risk, read the instructions carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask your doctor question. Here are some common dangers hiding in medicine cabinets:
- NSAIDs such as Advil, Motrin or Alive, which are sold over the counter (OTC) or by prescription are often thought to be harmless. But they can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke (especially for someone with a history). NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal bleeding and other stomach problems. And they can be even more damaging to your kidneys if you take them consistently before working out.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is for the most part safe. But it can cause liver damage in high doses or when combined with heavy alcohol consumption. It’s also important to remember that some Opioids like Percocet and Vicodin contain acetaminophen, so to take them together can lead to toxic levels in your system.
- Opioids (Percocet or OxyContin) long-term use of these drugs has been found to be unsafe. They carry the risk of addiction and can lead to increased risk of heart failure, heart attacks and certain cancers in men and women. Long-term use of these painkillers has actually shown to increase sensitivity to pain.
- Ambien isn’t a pain killer, but it is in a lot of medicine cabinets and it’s worth discussing the risks. Ambien is the most common sleeping pill found in blood and toxicology reports for suicides and accidental suicides. It can have very serious interactions with alcohol. Diet, exercise, behavioral cognitive therapy and other natural treatments can be used to help insomnia and additional sleep problems.
Pain medication carry less risk when used properly, but it is important to be aware of all the risk and to learn the different ways that you can more naturally relive pain. Here are some ideas to naturally relieve pain.
