Where in Erie is Creating Wellness? Week 4

Greetings and salutations, Erie!

It has been a historic week. Last Tuesday was a wonderful day for our country. I don't know about you, but I am inspired and very optimistic. I think good things are on the horizon.

Where in Erie is Creating Wellness this week? This one may surprise you, but this week it is in in your medicine cabinet! I want to discuss the dangers of NSAIDs. This stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Some examples include Aspirin, Tylenol, Celebrex, Advil (Ibuprofen) and Aleve. The general public and physicians alike regard these drugs as safe and relatively harmless. Most would believe their side effects to be relatively mild.

It has been estimated, conservatively, that there are 16,500 NSAID related deaths every year among arthritis patients! This ranks up there with the number of annual AIDS deaths and more deaths related to multiple myeloma, cervical cancer, Hodgkin's, or asthma. If gastrointenstinal toxic effects from NSAIDs were calculated separately, those effects would constitute the 15th most common cause of death in the United States!

(At the time I write this, there are now seven (7) confirmed deaths nationally related to salmonella tainted peanut butter. The FDA and public are in a panic over seven deaths from peanut butter, but not 16,500 deaths related to a common over the counter drug.)

Pain is a good thing. We were designed to experience pain in order to tell our brains that we need to make changes within our immediate surroundings. Pain is essential to our survival. Quieting our pain senses without addressing the source/cause of pain is idiotic and detrimental to our existence.

When we are in pain we need to ask ourselves, "What does this mean?" "Do I need to take my hand of this hot stove?" "Why did I drink eleven beers last night?" NSAIDs were designed for short term, temporary relief. They are reasonable to use for acute conditions while you address the actual cause of discomfort. Unfortunately, too many people take NSAIDs as if they were candy. Most are unaware of the damages occurring to their stomach lining, liver, and kidneys.

Living a lifestyle rich in wellness choices dramatically decreases the need to use NSAIDs. This doesn't mean people who live a wellness lifestyle don't experience pain. A wellness lifestyle greatly diminishes or eliminates chronic pain.

We were born to be healthy. It is imperative we listen to and honor our body's warning system. In today's day and age with multi-billion dollar marketing campaigns from drug companies, it is often easier and quicker to listen to their ads than it is to listen to our body. This is why it is important now, more than ever, to be consciously aware of all of our thoughts and actions. Don't be afraid to ask, "Why?" or "Does this really make sense?"

It is time we reclaim our lives from drug companies! It is time we reclaim our lives from fast food restaurants! It is time we reclaim our lives from irresponsible living! Our lifestyle choices do have consequences, whether it is tomorrow morning or 25 years later. Reclaim your life today! Start living healthier one day at a time for a lifetime!

Until next week, Be Fit, Eat Right, Think Well.


- Dr. Steve