Putting The 'Killer' In Painkillers

Like any pharmaceutical drug on the market, side effects are expected…especially after excessive use of the drug. Although GPs and doctors who prescribe painkillers tend to ensure that their patients' medical histories are evaluated to reduce the risk of side effects, they have no control of whether their patients will follow the correct dosage of the drug.

Those who purchase over-the-counter painkillers are most at risk because they may not be aware of any underlying medical issues which could complicate any potential side-effects associated with taking a specific painkiller.

Why are pharmaceutical drugs prone to side effects? Well, it comes down to how they work. Drugs used for medical purposes act on the body by influencing one area in order to affect the intended area. By forcefully shutting down or stimulating one aspect of the human body against its normal functioning processes, you're increasing the likelihood that something is going to go wrong somewhere along the line. Painkillers are no different.

It's like trying to add a synthetic ingredient to the perfect recipe…it will have an impact and not necessarily a good one. This cause-and-effect associated with painkillers can result in the following side effects:

• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Cardiovascular and Respiratory Effects
• Mental Side Effects

One of the worst side effects of painkillers is that some people can become addicted to them. It's quite a common problem that affects people who initially started using painkillers for the intended medical reasons the drugs were made for.

For example, painkiller addicts may consume as much as 30 tablets a day while only 5 tablets is the recommended safe limit. By abusing these over-the-counter painkillers, addicts may be putting themselves at risk of an array of other diseases and health conditions like liver failure, stomach damage, respiratory ailments and problems with the gall bladder.

Painkiller Addiction Symptoms

The sad reality of painkiller addiction is that most people suffering from the addiction aren't aware that they have a problem. Some of the common symptoms associated with painkiller addiction are:

In addition to being one of the main causes of almost all diseases and health ailments, inflammation is also associated with pain. Effectively reducing inflammation is a good way to support pain management.

Omega 3 fish oil is widely known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which means that you may help your body cope with inflammation and even minor pain by supplementing with a product like Xtend-Life's Omega 3 / DHA Fish Oil.

It's also been proven that our Omega 3 / DHA Fish Oil is a viable alternative o aspirin…and without any of the negative side effects! In addition to this, it has two and a half times the anti-inflammatory properties of 'normal' fish oil and even double the anti-inflammatory properties of highly refined and concentrated fish oil.

If you are taking medicated painkillers and would like to use our Omega 3 / DHA Fish Oil (or any of our other supplements) in combination with your prescription, please check with us to ensure that there are no interaction risks with the drug. If there is any doubt you may need to consult with your doctor.