Painkillers WREAKING HAVOC on Your Health?!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted July 8, 2020
Dear Reader,
Recently, Jim, a friend of mine, was talking about how miserable his life had become following a motorcycle accident.
Sitting across from me, he explained was having trouble working, sleeping, and he felt nervous all the time.
It surprised Jim to find out the poor sleep and anxiety were probably a side effect of painkillers he was taking.
And, unfortunately, Jim is not alone. A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests that one in ten Americans over the age of 20 use prescription painkillers (and many more use non-prescription meds!).
But there is another way to find pain relief that doesn’t come with these life-altering side effects.
Painkillers come in many forms.
There are over-the-counter medicines (like Tylenol, ibuprofen, aspirin) and stronger prescription versions of over-the-counter drugs, to even stronger prescription drugs (like codeine, oxycodone, morphine, Vicodin, and hydrocodone).
The bottom line, when it comes to pain killers is: they ALL carry risks.
The other thing to know is taking an ever-increasing dose is part of the deal because your body adapts and the drugs stop working. So you need more and stronger doses in order to get the desired effects.
Pain killers are not alone — alcohol, nicotine, even your coffee stops giving you the buzz you get the first time you take it.
Combine those increasing doses with the side effects and you get over 56,000 emergency room visits for acetaminophen ALONE. Other over-the-counter pain meds cause stomach bleeding and kidney damage (leading to even more hospitalizations and deaths).
But it’s opioids that do the most harm. About 130 people die every day from opioid overdose, all because drug companies convinced doctors they were non-addictive. Opioids are damaging even if you don’t overdose — they cause drowsiness, mental fog, and slow your breathing.
And, once you’re addicted (like Jim), they increase agitation, anxiety, and insomnia.
You don’t want to travel down the painkiller road. And you don’t have to.
I’ve pulled together the most effective pain-relieving cures from our natural world:
- People have been using willow bark for thousands of years for pain relief. Willow bark contains a chemical called salicin, which is a key building block of aspirin. So you get the benefits of aspirin WITHOUT the side effects. (However, if you are sensitive to aspirin, then you may want to choose another natural pain reliever from this list.)
- Turmeric is a spice and a powerful medicine. Turmeric, and its extract curcumin, have so many excellent uses that you should be taking turmeric or curcumin every day. Not only does turmeric block pain, but it also reduces inflammation, which is one of the main drivers of pain.
- Epsom salt, which contains magnesium, is great for those sore muscles you get when you overdo your work or exercise. Try an Epsom salt bath next time you hurt your back – it will work wonders.
- Fish oil is something I never get tired of talking about because most of us don’t get enough Omega-3 fatty acids in our bodies. When you get enough Omega-3s, the result is a lot less inflammation and pain in the body.
I also believe a great way to ease your pain is to exercise and move your body. That may sound counterintuitive, but just keeping your muscles strong and your body flexible can help with any pain you might have.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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