Side Effects of Prescriptions and Over-the-Counter Medications in Snellville GA

No such thing as a “wonder drug” actually exists, no matter what you may hear to the contrary. Every medicine in Snellville GA, from those available over-the-counter to those that require a prescription, has negative side effects. This is not to say that you should stop taking pharmaceutical drugs completely—especially if you need them to survive. But here at Hand and Heart Chiropractic, we feel that you should adopt a more natural approach rather than immediately putting the responsibility on medications, and here are three reasons why.

Nausea

Nausea is a common adverse effect of most drugs, especially pain relievers. Depending on the severity of your nausea, it might range from minor discomfort to severe, trapped-in-the-bathroom anguish. Although this side effect appears minor enough to risk on the surface, it is nevertheless unpleasant to deal with and can lead to further complications. Constant vomiting might harm your esophagus and teeth, and recurring digestive issues from medication can cause severe dehydration. In some cases, this can lead to worsening of symptoms, or even the negation of all positive effects. For instance, nausea with some anti-addiction medications can stop the addict from taking the medication, making them more prone to relapse.

Liver Damage

Liver damage is a typical adverse effect of acetaminophen, a common pain reliever that may be purchased over-the-counter. Even though there’s a lower risk of liver damage when taken in the appropriate doses, the trouble emerges when it is combined with other medications, as many prescription and over-the-counter treatments contain acetaminophen as an ingredient. This means that if you don’t check the contents of your drugs thoroughly, an overdose is quite likely to happen.

Addiction

There are various medicines that can lead to addiction, but opioids are the most common to fall into this category. These are the high-grade medications used to relieve severe pain, such as codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and others in the same vein. Even though opioids can only be legally obtained with a prescription, addicts will often seek out illegal sources to acquire their fix, and even the best doctors have a tendency to overprescribe them. These medicines, by their very nature, develop a tolerance in the brain, putting addicts at risk of overdosing as they increase their own dosage to fulfill their powerful cravings.

Chiropractic as an Alternative in Snellville GA

Chiropractic is a non-invasive treatment that focuses on the structure of the body, particularly the spine. For example, Dr. Dionne Anderson will adjust the spine to ease pain, improve function, and promote the body’s natural healing process. A chiropractor’s main goal is to encourage internal healing, and a good chiropractor will promote overall wellness and health over simply targeting a symptom or two. With this in mind, there’s a fair chance that chiropractic may eliminate your need to take medications entirely.

Contact us today or visit our Snellville office if you want to get started on the road to being free from medication. We’d be delighted to teach you the way to better health and wellness through natural and safe chiropractic care.

SOURCES

Chenoweth, Meghan J., et al. "A Genome-Wide Association Study of Nausea Incidence in Varenicline-Treated Cigarette Smokers." Nicotine and Tobacco Research 23.10 (2021): 1805-1809. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntab044

Theisen, Katherine, et al. “The United States Opioid Epidemic: a Review of the Surgeon’s Contribution to it and Health Policy Initiatives.” BJU International 122.5 (2018): 754-759. https://doi.org/10.1111/bju.14446