Some painful truths about painkillers

Some people pop it into their mouths as if it was the most natural thing to do. Fact is, some people live on it. Undoubtedly, it’s the world’s most popular drug. Of course, you’ve taken aspirin at least once in your life. It’s fast (relief is just a swallow away, to borrow the words of an old Alka Seltzer ad), safe and effective. But this most used drug is also the most abused, writes Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa with Cameron Stauth in the book The Pain Cure (available at Goodwill Bookstore). Did you know, for instance, that too much aspirin (active ingredient: salicylic acid) can cause internal bleeding especially in the stomach? According to the US Food and Drug Administration, excessive use of aspirin and similar drugs like ibuprofen causes some 200,000 cases of gastrointestinal bleeding and thousands of deaths.

Aspirin boast a three-pronged action: It relieves pain, reduces fever and decreases inflammation, making it to the category of drugs known as NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. On the other hand, acetaminophen (the most popular brand is Tylenol) only relieves pain and reduces fever but does not relieve inflammation. According to doctors, inflammation should be treated with NSAIDs even if there’s no significant pain. Why? According to Dr. Kalsa, "When inflammation is not treated, it can grow worse and become embedded in the nervous system as chronic pain." It will then be too late to cure the inflammation with a simple therapy like NSAIDs. Thus, if you sprain your ankle (ouch!), don’t wait to feel pain – use NSAID as soon as possible.

If you’re suffering from menstrual cramps, a reasonable dosage of ibuprofen, according to Dr. Khalsa, is 400 mg every four hours. Your daily intake of ibuprofen should not exceed 2,000 mg.

Another common problem associated with NSAID abuse is kidney and liver damage. In some cases, it can cause kidney failure in less than a week. People with autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are particularly prone to the side effects of NSAIDs.

Aspirin can also damage cartilage – if you have arthritis, it can only make it worse. The reason is that aspirin slows down the absorption of water which our sponge-like cartilage needs to keep our bones from touching.

Then there’s the nervous system damage. Taking high dosages of NSAIDs for a long time can cause the nervous system to lose its ability to fight pain on its own. You’re tempted to take a higher and higher dosage but when the effect of the NSAID wears off, you’d be in more pain than ever.

Is all this making you anxious? A lot of those manifesting symptoms of chronic pain syndrome (like depression, anxiety and insomnia) often turn to minor tranquilizers (among the most popular brands are Valium and Xanax). But sad to say, the minor tranquilizers can even make your depression worse. And they can even be very addictive.

Bone-tired after a hard day’s work? Dr. Khalsa wouldn’t prescribe muscle relaxants like most doctors would. The reason is that they don’t really relax the muscles; they relax your mind and your mind relaxes your muscles. Then, too, they can be habit-forming and have numerous side effects.

Got a migraine? Before you pop that pill, read this: "I almost never prescribe prescription medications because of their potential side effects," Dr. Khalsa points out. "These medications include narcotic analgesics like demerol, morphine and codeine, and anti-dopaminergic drugs such as thorazine and compazine."

Did you know that abuse of headache medication can give you a "rebound headache"? The reason, according to Dr. Khalsa, is that when a pain medication is taken every day for headaches, the body and, yes, the brain become dependent on it and pain sets in when it wears off. It is estimated that as little as four aspirins a day can trigger a tension headache.

Instead of forever being on the pill – that is, painkillers – Dr. Khalsa prescribes that you avoid foods that trigger migraines (or foods that constrict the blood vessels, thus causing migraines). Migraine sufferers could get a "nutritional migraine" from taking any of the following: red wine, caffeinated beverages, peanut butter, pickled foods, frozen prepared foods, processed or cured meats like hot dogs, bacon, ham (these contain the vessel-dilating additives sodium nitrites and nitrates), soy sauce, potato chips, corned beef, raisins, banana, salad dressings, milk, milk products, eggs.

Another thing that triggers migraines is MSG (monosodium glutamate), which is commonly found in Chinese food and many packaged, processed foods. Be forewarned, too, that MSG sometimes appears on food labels in the guise of "hydrogenated vegetable protein," "natural preservatives" or "seasonings."

And here’s a sweet little reminder to all: The artificial sweetener aspartame contains amino acid phenylalanine, which is known to constrict blood vessels.

Another potent vasoconstrictor is caffeine. Fact is, many nonprescription pain relievers contain caffeine. Chocolate, too, contains some caffeine as well as chemicals that can trigger migraines. Citrus fruits have the same effect.

For a good dose of analgesic therapy, try combing your hair and scalp with a wooden comb, so Dr. Khalsa suggests.

If everything else palls, reach out for a cold pack or a hot pack (or hot towel) – it never fails to ease a headache or a migraine.

Don’t let worrying over a migraine give you a migraine. Have a nice, migraine-free day!