Pain Relief Meds: To Use or Not to Use?

Pain relievers are found in almost every household medicine cabinet. Few people have never taken some form of pain medication.

Pain is an unpleasant sensation usually arising from a specific area of the body. It's a warning mechanism: a signal from the body that something isn't right. When you take painkillers, you suppress this 'alarm bell' that tells you to take action.

Pain helps protect our bodies. Just as we avoid touching fire because it harms us, pain keeps us at bay. Feeling pain is beneficial; it's our body's way of signaling that it needs help.

Despite its importance, pain can be hard to endure. It can even incapacitate us, like in the case of backaches or headaches. Some pains can be detrimental, such as those preventing us from sleeping. Sleep is crucial for recovery, so sometimes pain relief is necessary, especially after accidents or trauma.

Excessive use of pain relievers disrupts the body's natural balance. The body has its defense mechanisms, and consuming medications in large amounts undermines its protective abilities.

Pain relief medications can be addictive and have the potential for overdose, especially with prolonged use. Common side effects include digestive issues like constipation, itching, nausea, vomiting, and even respiratory difficulties.

The chemicals in these medications contribute to a sense of well-being, even calmness, and fear reduction, which increases the risk of overuse and addiction.

For those with temporary pain, medications can be effective. However, for chronic and ongoing pain, pain relievers might lose their ability to help, making it necessary to increase dosage to achieve the same relief.

Most at-home medication complications involve poisonings related to overdosing on pain relievers due to their accessibility.

If you're unwell or in pain, don't take medications lightly, even those available without a prescription. Be cautious with painkillers, try to overcome the pain, and focus on identifying the root cause rather than just silencing it.

Zohara Sharvit is an N.D. naturopath and iris-based diagnostician with extensive experience in treatment, consulting, and workshop facilitation. To book a complimentary workshop, call 073-2221290