Overview:
- Researchers from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) polled gastroenterologists and their patients about the use of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers.
- The team found 43% of chronic pain sufferers take more than the recommended amount of OTC medicines to relieve symptoms.
- The pain specialists at Tulsa Pain Consultants share data from the study and explain why it can be dangerous to not follow dosing instructions.
When a headache or slight muscle pain develops, non-chronic pain patients may reach for an over-the-counter pain reliever to mitigate their symptoms. For chronic pain patients, however, a “slight muscle pain” or “headache” can cause intense, lasting discomfort, which may require more than a mild pain medication.
If you’re a chronic pain patient and have already taken your prescription pain medication for the day, you may have no choice but to take an over-the-counter pain reliever to deal with this breakthrough pain. Unfortunately, this can cause negative side effects, and over time, lead to long-term health problems such as stomach bleeding, ulcers, and liver damage.
Unfortunately, taking more OTC pain medication than recommended is nothing new for some chronic pain patients. According to the American Gastroenterological Association, 43% of chronic pain sufferers knowingly take more than the recommended dosage of an OTC pain reliever to combat their symptoms.
Many people don’t understand how dangerous this is, and it could be due to misconceptions about OTC painkillers like Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, and Aleve. Acetaminophen, which is Tylenol’s active ingredient, is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States, and when taken in large amounts, can result in death. According to ProPublica, more than 1,500 American have died over the last decade from taking too many OTC pain relievers.
Fortunately, there is an easy way to prevent this from occurring: visit a credentialed pain specialist. The physicians at Tulsa Pain Consultants specialize in pain management, and they value a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Pain medication, steroid injections, ablation therapies, and other techniques may be used to help control your pain symptoms.
If you’re suffering from chronic pain, call Tulsa Pain Consultants today! We will develop a pain management plan that is safe, effective, and right for you!
Tulsa Pain Consultants is a multi-location pain management practice in Oklahoma that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain. We are dedicated to helping those who are suffering find the relief they deserve. Our team uses a balanced approach by incorporating minimally invasive, outpatient procedures, complementary and alternative medicine, and medication to help patients take control of their pain. Call 855-918-PAIN or click on our “Request An Appointment” tab to meet with one of our talented pain management specialists today!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.