The Dangers of Over-The-Counter Pain Relief

Just because a pain medication is "over-the counter" doesn't mean it's safe.

For instance, Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is the leading cause of liver damage and liver failure in the world. It's the most common call to poison control centers in the U.S. And it's responsible last year for...

• 56,000 emergency room visits
• 26,000 hospitalizations
• and 458 deaths

Another over-the-counter drug are the NSAIDs which stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Here's what you need to know about these "safe and effective" little pills:

• Aspirin is responsible for more internal bleeding than any other drug (save blood thinners). Many people have died in their sleep bleeding to death after taking aspirin.

• Ibuprofen, found in famous-name drugs like Motrin, Advil and Nuprin, has been shown to cause bleeding ulcers, breathing difficulties and blindness....PLUS it increases the risk of a heart attack or a hemorrhagic stroke. 

• Naproxen, the active ingredient in products like Aleve, has been proven to increase your risk of heart disease.

And even if you don't succumb to these extreme side-effects you are still facing the more common dangers including

• dizziness
• sores in the mouth
• headaches
• heartburn
• nosebleeds
• abdominal pain
• nausea
• diarrhea
• constipation
• hypertension
• Insomnia
• burning or tingling in the arms or legs
• ulcers

It's amazing to think you could be simply looking for relief from back pain or a knee injury or a headache and you end up with liver failure.