Replace Damaging NSAIDS and Find Natural Solutions for Pain

This past week the FDA released a statement announcing they are strengthening the warnings tied to NSAID use.

The new warning states, “...that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke, either of which can lead to death. Those serious side effects can occur as early as the first few weeks of using an NSAID, and the risk might rise the longer people take NSAIDs.” See it in full HERE

This upgraded warning is not to be taken lightly. “There is no period of use shown to be without risk,” says Judy Racoosin, M.D., M.P.H., deputy director of FDA’s Division of Anesthesia, Analgesia, and Addiction Products. People who currently have cardiovascular disease or who have recently had bypass surgery or experienced a heart attack are at EVEN GREATER RISK for having another heart attack or dying of heart attack related issues.

HOWEVER….“Everyone may be at risk – even people without an underlying risk for cardiovascular disease,” Racoosin adds.”  

HMMM, if you ask me, these NSAIDS (including the OTC over the counter variety) sound like they come with a PRETTY HIGH RISK FACTOR.

So, if you are one of the many millions of people who reach for NSAIDS on a daily or regular basis for symptoms such as headache, arthritis, gout, muscle aches, chronic back pain etc., you will definitely want to check out the rest of this post!

THE PROBLEM

Aside from the dangers of NSAIDS, the problem is that as a society we are accustomed to easy fixes and they surround us daily. It is so mainstream to pop a pill for this and down some medicine for that, almost nobody stops to think for a minute what the heck they are putting in their body and what the side effects of these drugs may be. We need to make a little conscious effort here, so I have a question for you to ponder the next time you need some pain relief.

When treating a symptom of pain, would you rather swallow something that ultimately is HARMING you, or would you rather find a solution that works for pain relief AND actually BENEFITS your body in the long term?

Increased risk of heart attack and stroke are not options that excite me. The way I look at it is... if I can find solutions that benefit my body, why would I choose anything else?
 

A FEW SOLUTIONS

The first solution would be to determine the reason for your NSAID use in the first place. Do you get re-occurring headaches? Chronic back pain? Does inflammation cause your arthritis to flare? In these cases I suggest getting to the bottom of the cause. Could your headache be brought on by mineral deficiency? Is your back pain caused by carrying 25 extra pounds on your belly or not following an exercise regimen? Does your diet include inflammatory foods like wheat, sugar and processed oils that cause arthritis to flare? In fact, NSAIDS themselves cause inflammation in the gut! So do a little groundwork and find out  - what is the REASON for your pain - PAIN is a SYMPTOM.

Some research has shown magnesium deficiency to cause migraine headaches. Would you risk taking a harmful NSAID regularly when it could be possible you are simply deficient in one of the body’s most needed minerals? If you have a stress or tension headache, guess what? Magnesium is proven to relax the body and ease stress, so it is a win- win. As it turns out Magnesium is also showing in studies that “it can help prevent and better manage high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes” (Migraine.com).  

OK important to note here - NSAIDS can CAUSE heart attacks and strokes...MAGNESIUM can PREVENT them. There is a perfect example of using a solution for your pain that benefits the body in the long run while easing symptoms!

Another solution for chronic pain is to supplement with turmeric. Turmeric (curcumin) has a long history of being very useful for relieving the pain of inflammation such as arthritis, gout or tendonitis etc. You can take it in capsule form or ingest it with your food (check out my FREE smoothie book HERE for a great smoothie recipe using turmeric!). The University of Maryland states that a recommended dose for arthritis pain is 400-600 mg of turmeric (curcumin) powder 3x daily. This will not only help resolve pain issues but adds great benefit to your health through the powerful antioxidants found in turmeric. These antioxidants can neutralize free radicals which, if left unchecked, can cause cancer. BOOM! Another example of solving the problem of pain with something that provides an incredible benefit as well.

Last (in this article), but not least - essential oils are another method of pain relief support that have been used for thousands of years in cultures around the globe. If you dab peppermint essential oil on the temples and back of your neck during a headache you may not only experience pain relief but also feel more energized and notice wonderful respiratory effects as well. The essential oil of Basil is known to be a great support to the body in times of chronic, severe pain. Rub drops of the oil on the affected area or diffuse in the air and you may experience relief from pain while supporting your body in the areas of the respiratory system, immune system, digestive system and more.

These are just a few examples of how natural solutions can not only support pain relief but ENHANCE your body’s overall health and well being! If you have questions regarding essential oils or a wellness issue please contact me at sally@free-rangehealth.com

The takeaway

Find the root cause of your pain issue, then find a solution that contributes to the overall health of your body.

Why risk heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular disease when you can - CHOOSE HEALTH!