A headache
or a back pain are some of the reasons why most people take painkillers—ibuprofen,
paracetamol, and others—without knowing the consequences that this simple but
risky decision may have, in this case, for women.
According
to a recent study made by Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, United States, in which 62.000 women between 31 and 48 years
old were surveyed, the ones who took two or more of
these pills per week had more chances to develop a hearing loss than women who
took only one painkiller per week.
Women were monitored for over twenty years: for
the first fourteen years there was not any sign of hearing loss, but by the end
of the study, around one in six women had shown some degree of hearing loss.
The
reasons why certain painkillers have this side effect and how the chemicals in
the drugs affect hearing are still unknown by scientists. However, it is thought
that hearing loss is related to reduced blood flow produced by the
anti-inflammatory properties of painkillers.
It is
important to mention that not all painkillers are associated with hearing loss:
the study made by Brigham
and Women's Hospital (which is going to be published in American Journal of Epidemiology with the name "Analgesic Use and
the Risk of Hearing Loss in Women”) proved that aspirin, for example, did not
have the same effect as ibuprofen or paracetamol.Many of us have gotten used to taking painkillers to get rid of headaches, back pains and even sore throats. Also, there are other people who abuse of painkillers and use them as the only way out of their pains. But are we aware of the risks that the use (and abuse) of these drugs may have?
Government and pharmaceutical companies tend not to tell people about the cons of certain product, they only focous on the pros and this is wrong! They should tell people the risks of every pill not only in the label but also in advertising.
ReplyDeleteI personally don't like to take pills because I think they make you dependent, but of course this is personal and you may think otherwise.
I agree with Macarena. I also think pills and other medications make us dependent. If there are other ways of throwing off pains such as relaxation and exercise why people choose to take drugs? I think it is just an easy way out of the pain.
ReplyDeleteAnd the fact about hearing loss among women that María José presented is just another reason for me to support natural therapies.