All drugs are dangerous. Before a person suffering with a migraine headache takes an over-the-counter medication they should be asking the question “Is the possible benefit worth the risk of taking that drug?” William Osler, M.D. once said “The person who takes medicine must recover twice; once from the disease and once from the medicine.” Sadly, this can be all too true.

Dr. William Bennett, head of nephrology at Oregon Health Sciences University, estimates that over-the-counter painkillers are responsible for as many as 20% of the 125,000 cases of end-stage kidney disease in the United States.

Some medications have side effects that can be more serious than the painful migraine headaches themselves. Aspirin can cause internal hemorrhaging, or bleeding in the stomach. According to the Dec. 1996 issue of Health News and Views taking Tylenol once every 4 days increases the chance of liver damage by more than 400%.

The main pain-relief ingredient in Tylenol is acetaminophen which has been shown to cause liver disease. “Tylenol,” as reported in the January 1998 issue of Forbes magazine, “can be very dangerous in doses not much greater” than the recommended dose. In 1989, Lacy Keele, a 5-year-old, took four extra strength tablets in one day, or twice what a child should receive. The overdose destroyed Lacy’s liver. Within a week she was dead. A jury found Tylenol to be a cause in her death.

There have been hundreds of fatalities and serious liver injuries attributed to acetaminophen, Tylenol’s active ingredient, since Lacy’s death. The biggest reason for these deaths is because people “tend to use Tylenol in a casual fashion.” Think about it: You have a migraine headache so you take a few pills. The migraine doesn’t go away so you take a few more. The difference between a proper dose and an overdose is so small that dangerous amounts can easily be ingested accidentally. “No other over-the-counter drug has a more narrow range between therapy and toxicity than acetaminophen,” says Dr. William Lee, a professor of internal medicine at the University of Texas’ Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

L.F. Kebler, M.D. once said “Why should a patient swallow a poison because he is ill, or take that which would make a well man sick?” And O.W. Holmes, M.D., Professor of Medicine at Harvard University said “If all the medicine in the world were thrown into the sea, it would be bad for the fish and good for humanity.”

In the September 29, 1996 issue of the Los Angeles Times Magazine it makes it known that Ibuprofen kills thousands every year. Ibuprofen, the active ingredient in many pain relievers, including Advil, Motrin IB, and Nuprin, is known as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). People that take NSAIDs like ibuprofen regularly to ease their chronic migraine headaches are prone to gastric (stomach) disorders. Dr. James F. Fries, a leading arthritis expert and professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, says “there’s an epidemic of adverse drug reactions to NSAIDs. The FDA believes anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 deaths each year are the result of severe bleeding caused by NSAIDs. It’s a big problem.”

When taking medication to relieve migraine headaches it’s always a good idea to read the label carefully. If you decide to take pain-killing medications for your migraine headaches be sure to follow the directions. Using common sense can reduce your chances of experiencing adverse reactions.

—
Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.C. has treated many patients with migraine headaches. He has patented a unique neck cushion that was designed as a natural approach for the relief of migraine headaches. For information visit http://www.soothe-a-ciser.com.

>> Article Source: http://www.Marketing-Seek.com

Please Note: The author of this article has authorized its distribution with the requirement that it be published in its entirety, without changes, including the author’s resource box. Please respect the authors’ wishes by getting their permission to reprint their articles if they so request.

There is little poison in every medication. However, sometimes one has to grin and bear the side effects of a drug for the greater benefit it confers. Here are some of the problems that can be caused by antidepressants – and how to deal with them:

Dry mouth is possibly the most common side effect of virtually all the antidepressants. Unless you are in heart failure, you should drink as much water as you need to quench your thirst. If necessary, chew sugarless gum to stimulate the production of saliva in your mouth. Since a dry mouth predisposes cavity formation, gum infection, and tooth loss, rinse your mouth twice a day with a fluoride preparation and see your dentist three or four times a year for oral hygiene.

Constipation is another common complication of antidepressants. It can be prevented by eating bran cereals every morning, drinking at least six 8-ounce glasses of water daily, eating salad twice a day, and exercising at least thirty minutes three or four times a week. Also, take a bulk-forming agent such as psyllium to make your stools easier to pass. But whatever you do, don’t fall into the laxative trap.

Bladder problems. If you have a large prostate, the tricyclic drugs can interfere with the flow of urine out of your bladder. If it takes you longer than five minutes to get things going after you arrive at the urinal, tell your doctor about it.

Blurred vision is a common side effect of the tricyclics. Chances are they won’t affect your distant vision, but you may have trouble reading. Most people adjust in a few weeks, but if you don’t and are apt to need these drugs for any length of time, have your glasses changed.

Dizziness is another complication of the tricyclics. This symptom worries me because it can lead to a fall and serious injury. If it persists, you’ll have to stop taking the drug. While using tricyclics, change position slowly to avoid a drop in blood pressure when going from sitting to standing, or when getting out of bed. Also, make sure you are consuming enough salt and fluids.

Drowsiness is frequently produced by virtually every antidepressant, though less so with the newer selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Most people adapt to it in time, and it is rarely a reason to quit taking the medication. However, while you are adjusting, don’t drive or operate dangerous equipment an extra cup of coffee will often perk you up.

Loss of libido is a common effect of the SSRIs. That is often hard to evaluate in someone who’s depressed, since lack of interest in sex often accompanies depression anyway. But if it is a real problem, ask your doctor about some of the new sex medications. And if they don’t work, there’s always golf.

Raymond Lee is one of the foremost experts in the health and fitness industry and is the Founder of Bodyfixes Group specializing in body health, muscle development and dieting. He is currently the author of the latest edition of “Neck Exercises and Workouts.” Visit http://www.bodyfixes.com for more information.

Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_229575_17.html