What? Ibuprofen Can Make You Deaf?

Chronic pain is a major cause of disability, affecting more people than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that half the adult population in the world has experienced a headache in the past year.

To control pain, many turn to ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) often prescribed after an injury, to treat menstrual cramps and to calm a headache.

Sales of over-the-counter (OTC) analgesic medications, used to treat discomfort and pain, have continued to rise over the past decade.

 In the past three years alone, annual sales have jumped by $300,000.

Many of the available pain relief medications come with a long list of potential side effects. 

In recent research, scientists have linked the use of ibuprofen and acetaminophen, two popular OTC analgesics, with hearing loss. 

Hearing loss as a result  of regular use of NSAIDs has greater impact in younger individuals.

Other Health Conditions triggered by NSAIDs 

• Higher risk of miscarriage in pregnant women who use NSAIDs for more than one week or during the week of conception
• Skin reactions
• Increased chance of having a heart attack or stroke within weeks ofu taking OTC analgesics . This risk increases with longer use and higher doses
• Gastrointestinal disorders 

Prevention is the best medicine

Pain is the body’s way of communicating that something is wrong.

 Pain is not the disease, but rather powerful feedback that some activity or lifestyle choice is triggering your discomfort.

Physical pain may be the result of an underlyingbb lifestyle choice, overuse injury or emotional trauma that you may have discounted.  

When searching for the underlying cause of your pain, consider the following potential sources, and take steps to address them:

• Emotional trauma 
• Poor sleep 
• Postural control 
• Magnesium deficiency
• Lyme disease

Sedentary lifestyle increases pain

Leading a sedentary lifestyle may also increase your risk of developing a chronic pain condition, as your body was designed to move consistently throughout the day. 

Researchers have demonstrated that sitting for eight hours increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, even if you exercise for 30 to 60 minutes during the day. 

Sitting for more than six hours a day is linked with heart disease, diabetes and premature death from all causes.

A study from Finland found a link between children who had a sedentary lifestyle and those who experienced a higher amount of chronic pain as they grew older. 

Another study found adults who got up more frequently throughout the day also suffered less pain.

We know that emotional trauma and depression changes your perception of pain. 

A recent study demonstrates that remaining sedentary increases your risk of anxiety and worsens mental health.

Do something now

You have many choices to manage chronic pain, but the first is to discover the reason for your pain so you aren’t throwing medication or treatments at a symptom rather than addressing the root cause.