Are Painkillers Damaging Your Health?

When it comes to dulling headaches and soothing muscle cramps, popping a pill is often the simplest solution. In many cases, such pain relief medication is effective and harmless. But these convenient painkillers have a dark side to them. Over-relying on them could lead to long-term organ damage. This post delves into these risks and how to prevent harm from painkillers.

The hidden risks of overusing painkillers

Prolonged use of painkillers can have side effects that need to be considered if you have chronic pain. These side effects depend on the drug.

For example, ibuprofen – a common member of the NSAIDs family with anti-inflammatory properties – can irritate the stomach lining and cause ulcers if taken excessively. There have even been cases of kidney disease caused by long-term ibuprofen usage.

As for popular headache remedy acetaminophen (most commonly sold under the brand name ‘Tylenol’), there is a risk of liver disease when taken over a prolonged period. In fact, heavy usage can have a similar impact to heavy drinking.

Speaking of alcohol, if you drink regularly and take any of these painkillers, there is a risk that this organ damage could be sped up. In the case of ibuprofen, consuming alcohol can amplify stomach problems. In the case of acetaminophen, the risk of liver disease can be even greater if you also drink.

If you have taken painkillers for a long time and you start to experience stomach pains or itchy skin, it could be the first signs of organ damage. Talking to a doctor and getting these symptoms assessed will confirm whether this is the case.

How to prevent harm from painkillers

It’s possible to minimize the risks of long term painkiller usage by sticking to recommended dosage limits. Track your intake and make sure you’re not taking other medications than contain traces of these painkillers.

You can reduce harm by not mixing pain relief medication with alcohol. If you do want to drink, consider taking a break from painkillers for a day or so.

In fact, period breaks are recommended if you are a long-term user. These breaks could be painful, however there are potential alternative forms of pain relief that could help to ease your aches a little.

Alternative pain relief methods to consider

Some herbal medications can have pain-relieving qualities. Ingredients like THC and CBD found in the cannabis plant have become common alternative painkillers with minimal long-term negative health effects observed. You can consume these ingredients in the form of thc cbd gummies. Of course, some people find that these ingredients are not as strong as OTC painkillers or don’t like the side effects (THC will deliver a ‘high’ and may not be legal in some locations.

Omega-3 supplements are often overlooked as a pain reliever. They have anti-inflammatory properties and some people with conditions like arthritis swear by them. They similarly have very few long-term risks.

There may be other solutions that you can also look into for specific pains such as ginger tea for stomach cramps or acupuncture for sore joints. Exploring these alternative solutions can reduce reliance on standard painkillers to help you avoid the risks of long-term use.