[Warning] Popular Pills Causing Dangerous Falls?!?
By
Natalie Moore
Posted April 22, 2017
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
For years, we’ve been told the best way to stop pain — emotional or physical — is with risky drugs.
And while your doc may warn you that they can be addictive, he will likely fail to mention they come with another danger — falling.
You see, researchers from the University of Arizona have just discovered that some popular pills can significantly up your chances of taking a nasty fall that could cost you your independence.
And believe it or not — they could be in your medicine cabinet right now.
I’m talking about opioid painkillers and antidepressants.
Experts have known for decades that these drugs can make you drowsy and even affect your balance, but they had yet to study if they up your chances of falling.
Until now.
In this first-of-its-kind study, researchers looked at the medical records of over 4,200 participants aged 45–79, some with osteoarthritis (OA).
The scientists tracked medication use for the following three years and falls for the next four years.
And after a few careful calculations, they found something amazing…
Folks suffering from OA and taking opioid painkillers were 22 percent more likely to fall two or more times than those not taking them.
Even worse, for those with OA taking antidepressants, the risk of taking two or more nasty falls shot up 25 percent.
Experts believe recurring falls are more significant than a single fall because they could signal major cognitive deficits and increase your risk for subsequent falls.
If you’re taking an antidepressant or opioid and are concerned about falling, talk to your doctor about other options.
Or you could give acupuncture a shot. Studies have shown acupuncture can help with pain and depression.
To find a certified medical acupuncturist near you, visit www.medicalacupuncture.org.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
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