Before you read this quote, I'd like you to consider 2 things:
What is the cause of your pain and how can you heal it, not medicate it?
If the cause of your pain requires time to heal, what alternatives to pain medications can you pursue? I will make suggestions at the end of this post.
“One of every three people age 65 reports some level of hearing loss. Evidence is growing that over the counter pain relievers may account for some of hearing loss in these older Americans. A new study, from the American Journal of Epidemiology, shows that six more years of use of non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such ibuprofen, and other over-the-counter pain medication like as acetaminophen are associated with hearing loss in women over 60. According to the National Institutes of Health data, as many as two–thirds of women in the United States in this age group have some degree of hearing loss.
A team from Harvard–affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) analyzed data from the Nurses’ Health Study and found evidence that the duration of use of over–the–counter medications for pain relief, including ibuprofen or acetaminophen, is associated with higher risk of hearing loss. The data was drawn from more than 54,000 women between the ages of 48 and 73 enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study. They analyzed information on their use of aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen, as well as self–reported hearing loss.
“Hearing loss is extremely common in the United States and can have a profound impact on quality of life,” said senior author Gary Curhan, a physician in the Channing Division of Network Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “Finding modifiable risk factors could help us identify ways to lower risk before hearing loss begins and slow progression in those with hearing loss.”
Source: Today’s Practitioner”
Questions
If you have routinely used these pain medications and want to stop, there are several things to look at. Is your pain directly related to a physical trauma? Is your pain chronic or intermittent? Have you been evaluated by a professional and/or do you know the cause of your pain? Is the pain medication you have been taking effective?
Alternatives
There are many alternatives to pain medications that can help in your healing. Among them:
bodywork - shiatsu, acupuncture, Reiki, chiropractic, physical therapy, therapeutic massage, Alexander, Feldenkrais
nutrition - adopt an anti-inflammatory diet - contact me for details
use pain relief herbal remedies, including ginger, turmeric and curcumin - check with your physician if you are taking any prescription medications before using these.
move - unless moving causes more pain, the simple act of moving will improve circulation which is vital to healing.
hydrate - without adequate hydration, the body cannot heal. Drink up.