Pain is an unfortunate part of life that impacts many of us. Often we seek to reduce pain once it starts, and many of us turn to pain medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. It’s what we were taught to do, and it helps the pain subside. However, did you know these popular pain remedies have terrifying side effects if taken too frequently?
Note: Drug abuse is a very serious concern. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, please seek medical and professional attention. Too often, we treat the symptoms of an issue as opposed to addressing it at its source. Whether it’s physical, emotional, or psychological pain, substance abuse never solves the problem. We all have our struggles in life, and sometimes those struggles can feel absolutely unbearable, but you don’t have to go at it alone. If you are hurting and need someone to talk to, there are a lot of options; please seek them out. Getting help can be the most difficult step, but reaching out to someone who truly cares can make all the difference on the road to recovery. We wish you the best and hope that you can achieve health and wellness naturally and safely.
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen, Motrin, or Advil, is a common anti-inflammatory and fever reducer. This medication can be bought over the counter or prescribed. Improper use (or abuse) of ibuprofen can lead to problems such as diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding, upset stomach, heart failure, nausea, stroke, kidney damage, and liver toxicity, to name a few. These side effects can occur if you have too much of the drug in your system (from taking it too often or taking too much at once). Ibuprofen can also cause stomach bleeding and raise your blood pressure; the problem with elevated blood pressure is that it can put additional strain on your organs, such as the heart and kidneys.
Acetaminophen
Tylenol, or acetaminophen, is a fever-reducer that is used to reduce minor aches and pains like headaches, menstrual cramps, minor arthritic pains, and toothaches. Unlike Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen is not an anti-inflammatory. But it is less likely to raise your blood pressure or cause stomach bleeding. Improper use happens when a person ingests too much of the medication, and it can lead to liver damage and a whole host of undesirable side effects. Generally, you don’t want to exceed 4,000 milligrams per day (for adults). Preexisting health conditions, alcohol consumption, and liver problems can greatly increase the risk of liver failure or even death if too much Tylenol is taken. Overdosing on acetaminophen can lead to appetite loss, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting.
The risk of accidental overdose
Both ibuprofen and acetaminophen can take about 24 hours to leave the body completely, but that doesn’t mean that their effects don’t linger in the body. For example, Tylenol has been shown to lead to a rise in liver enzymes which can cause abdominal pain, jaundice, appetite loss, nausea, and vomiting. Ibuprofen, when used for long terms (especially at high dosages), can damage your kidneys and even lead to chronic interstitial nephritis (chronic kidney disease).
Remember, these symptoms can occur in the case of taking too much at once or by taking the medication too regularly for a prolonged period of time.
It can be easy to accidentally overdose on ibuprofen and acetaminophen because many pain medications contain them, and you might not realize how much you’re taking. For example, if you take Motrin for a headache and follow it up with Advil, you could have taken more ibuprofen than you intended. Ironically enough, it is safe to take ibuprofen and acetaminophen together (not in excessive amounts, mind you). Consult your primary care physician if you have any questions about what is and isn’t aft to take.
Another risk is that medications and substances can interact with each other and lead to or increase your risk of bodily harm, overdose, or organ damage. Also, read over-the-counter medication instructions carefully before taking them.
What do you do if you take too much ibuprofen or acetaminophen?
In the case of an overdose, seek medical attention right away or call poison control. Overdoses can usually be treated, but it’s always best to act as quickly as possible as time is a critical factor. If you suspect you or someone has overdosed, seek help right away, It’s also really helpful to have the following information:
- Age
- How much of the substance was ingested
- When the last dose was taken
- Whether the drug was taken with another drug, supplement, or alcohol
Pain is usually the cause of inflammation or something wrong in or with the body often times; inflammation plays a role in this. The problem with many pain medications is that taking them daily for long periods is generally not advisable, and they don’t usually solve the problem; they just mask the pain. Additionally, it’s not safe to take pain medications every day for prolonged periods of time. You shouldn’t have to trade current comfort for future complications.
How BSO Honey can help
BSO Honey or Black Seed Oil Infused Honey is a natural and safe way to reduce pain (it’s a natural anti-inflammatory) and help stop pain at its source. It does a bit more than the aforementioned pain medications by reducing blood pressure, helping wounds heal faster, reducing bad cholesterol, increasing your energy, and much more!
If you don’t want to risk your health in the future to stop the pain now, then consider Black Seed Oil Infused Honey. Just give it a try. You can take it every day; over time, you’ll see and feel a difference. Check out our shop and pick up a bottle today!