Recent News Surrounding Pain Medication Has Some Consumers Nervous About Safety
Albuquerque, NM (PRWEB) December 19, 2013 -- As the American population ages, pain has become more prevalent. Pain affects more than 30 percent of people in the U.S.(1), which is more than heart disease, diabetes and cancer combined. The most common types of pain amongst Americans include lower back, joint and muscle pain.(2) Recent news surrounding pain medication has some consumers nervous about safety.
Safety Concerns for Pain Products
A recent study published in The Lancet, shows high dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may double the risk of heart attacks and heart failure, and NSAIDs may also cause damage to the liver and kidneys, and raise the risk of high blood pressure in certain populations.(3) Also, a recent report on the dangers of acetaminophen showed that approximately 150 Americans die each year from acetaminophen poisoning(4), and that as many as 78,000 Americans are sent to the emergency room annually due to acetaminophen overdose.(5) What’s concerning is that many people don’t even consider the risks of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. According to a Pharmacy Times survey, 43% of the consumers who take OTC analgesics are not aware of the potential adverse events.(6)
But it’s not just OTC products that cause concern. Prescription drugs can have dangerous side effects as well. In fact, more than 200,000 emergency department visits for opioid misuse or abuse were reported among women between 2004 and 2010.(7) Shockingly, drug poisoning has superseded motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of injury death in the country.(8) These deaths are mainly in the form of overdoses from prescription drugs.(9)
Alternative Options for Pain Relief
Due to the risk associated with pain relief products, complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are becoming more popular. According to the Mayo Clinic, nearly 40 percent of adults report using CAM, and physicians too are embracing CAM therapy – often combining it with traditional therapy.(10)
“Many physicians recommend traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for musculoskeletal pain without taking into account the serious side effects, such as gastrointestinal bleeding and increased cardiovascular disease risks,” said Steven Sampson, DO, of the Orthohealing Center in Los Angeles, CA. “But safer and effective options do exist. For example, I recommend Traumeel® to my patients who struggle with minor back, joint and muscle pain.”
Traumeel®: Tough on Your Pain, Gentle on Your System
Traumeel® provides pain relief through a combination of 12 natural active ingredients (out of 14 actives). Traumeel® is easy to use and offers natural relief that works with your body to temporarily reduce minor joint, back and muscle pain. For flexibility of use and to maximize convenience, Traumeel® is available in multiple dosage forms including Traumeel® 50 g Ointment, Traumeel® 100 g Ointment, Traumeel® 50 g Gel, Traumeel® 250 g Gel, Traumeel® Oral Drops 50 ml, Traumeel® 100 ct Tablets and Traumeel® Combo Pack.
Traumeel®’s effectiveness was recently verified in a clinical study (TAASS) in Spain. Additionally, Traumeel® has not been associated with the type of side effects linked with NSAID use, like increased risk of ulcers and stomach bleeding, and is safe to use for more than 10 days. Traumeel® has been used by millions of people for more than 60 years. For more information about Traumeel®, please visit http://www.traumeel.us.
About Heel Inc.
Heel is a homeopathic pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and distributes medicines. Heel medicines are available through healthcare providers and fine natural product stores throughout the United States. For more information on other Heel products and their use, please visit http://www.heelusa.com.
Note: These statements have not been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration. They are supported by traditional homeopathic principles.
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(1) The prevalence of chronic pain in United States adults: results of an Internet-based survey. J Pain. 2010 Nov ;11(11):1230-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2010.07.002. Epub 2010 Aug 25.
(2) National Pain Survey, conducted for Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, 1999.
(3) Coxib and traditional NSAID Trialists' (CNT) Collaboration. Vascular and upper gastrointestinal effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: meta-analyses of individual participant data from randomised trials. The Lancet, 2013; DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60900-9.
(4) Gerth J. & Miller T. C. (20 Sept, 2013). Use Only as Directed. ProPublica. Retrieved from http://www.propublica.org/article/tylenol-mcneil-fda-use-only-as-directed.
(5) Gerth J. & Miller T. C. (20 Sept, 2013). Use Only as Directed. ProPublica. Retrieved from http://www.propublica.org/article/tylenol-mcneil-fda-use-only-as-directed.
(6) Cham E, Hall L, Ernst AA, Weiss SJ. Awareness and use of over-the-counter pain medications: a survey of emergency department patients. South Med J. 2002;95(5):529-535. http://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/otc/2013/OTCGuide-2013/Pain-Control-Using-Nonprescription-Analgesics#sthash.C61xn0qe.Tu2k2yzV.dpuf
(7) CDC Vital Signs (July 2013). Prescription Painkiller Overdoses: A growing epidemic, especially among women. CDC. Retrieved from http://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/Opioid-Overdose-and-Death-Rates-Skyrocket-in-Women
(8) Osterweil, Neil (12 Nov, 2013). Prescription Drug Deaths Rise With Opioid Sales. Medscape. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/814200
(9) Osterweil, Neil (12 Nov, 2013). Prescription Drug Deaths Rise With Opioid Sales. Medscape. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/814200
(10) Mayo Clinic (2011). Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alternative-medicine/PN00001.
Laura Amarillas, Chandler Chicco Agency, +1 (702) 263-5254, [email protected]
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