The Problem With Painkillers

www.theatlantic.com:

Talking a low daily dose of aspirin has long been a recommendation for heart health, and many of us pop a Tylenol or an Advil to knock out a headache, muscle ache, arthritis pain, or menstrual cramps. Because of the accessibility of over-the-counter (OTC) medications like aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, many may think nothing of grabbing a pill to ease what ails us, or, in the case of aspirin, to actually improve our long-term health and reduce our risk for disease.

Newer research is demonstrating a downside of OTC painkillers. Some studies suggest that taking these medications over the long run -- even in low doses -- may be associated with more health risks than benefits. And some can be serious. Here we'll outline the new studies that have suggested that, while the risks may be rare, OTC medications are not as gentle and safe as we may be tempted to think.

Read the whole story: www.theatlantic.com

Comments

[Gregg-O]

04:58 AM on 02/27/2012

I have come to the conclusion that everything in moderation is the only way to go. Be it fast food, eggs, milk, asprin....If I want it, I have it, I just don't make a habit of it. If I want a double cheeseburger I have it...about once every 2 months. If I want a couple eggs over-easy, I have them, Not everyday, but once or twice a week ...what the hell. You only live once....and do you really want to live forever?

[J R M]

10:45 PM on 02/24/2012

I adapt very slowly to these studies. I have been taking a daily 325 mg Aspirin pill for 30 years now - I am 60. I have been taking daily 1.5 grams of sloNiacine for the past 10 years. Since I seem to be doing well with it, I don't intend to stop. I have a family history of heart attacks and my father has a clotting problem and has to take coumadin daily. I also have a family history of prostrate cancer.

Given the anti-cancer impact of aspirin, and its impact on heart attacks, I am knowingly taking the risk in the expectation that the benefit I receive is (statistically) likely to exceed that risk.

You have to make decisions with partial and conflicting information - some of which is in error. You do the best you can and take the consequences.

[donnyraindog]

10:14 PM on 02/22/2012

Screw I'm going back to oxies!

[DonsBlog]

08:23 PM on 02/22/2012

The FDA sent out a warning that taking an aspirin a day raises the chances of macular degeneration. I'll stick to focusing on anti-inflammatory foods like garlic and ginger, thank you.

[SisterAnn]

07:55 PM on 02/22/2012

I read last week that aspirin prevented cancer, now it is not good for us.

It is the same with salt. They say not to use any salt, then they decide salt doesn't hurt you.

I am gonna do like Dharmabumiii. I am going to eat a salty egg and take aspirin.

[maxom]

08:48 PM on 02/22/2012

Those that get paid to do these studies have to have something new every once in awhile to justify their paycheck.....and reversals are about the only thing they can come up with.....so good this week is bad next week and so on....

[robjh1]

04:20 PM on 02/22/2012

For the love of humanity what is going on???!!!! First we here we should take. Then we shouldn't. It's all so confusing.

[Marcin A Mazurek]

05:20 PM on 02/22/2012

Its like the great Egg debate
First eggs were good, then Eggs were BAD, then they're GOOD again, then its just the whites and godammitmakeupyourmind! - Lewis Black

[Dharmabumiii]

06:31 PM on 02/22/2012

I am gonna take three advil and eat a damn egg!

[Ystorm]

09:05 PM on 02/23/2012

how can the whites of the eggs have anything good in them when its the yolk that sustains the baby chicks. obviously we don't eat fertilized chicken eggs but that is the same yolk that has those same enzymes and nutrients that are good for you. how can that be bad? I can't stand the 'experts' they are mostly a bunch of people that really don't understand the big picture.