A recent study entitled “Acetaminophen Use and Risk of Asthma, Rhinoconjunctivitis (allergy), and Eczema in Adolescents: ISAAC Phase Three.” The researchers wanted “to investigate the risk of asthma and other allergic disorders associated with the current use of acetaminophen in 13-14 year old children in different populations worldwide.”
The study participants were 322,959 adolescent children from 113 centers in 50 countries.” The children were divided into two different groups. The “medium use” group was children who used acetaminophen once or more per year and the “high use” group was children who used acetaminophen once or more per month.
Tylenol is not the only product that contains acetaminophen it just happens to be one of the most popular and most advertised products. Other products that contain acetaminophen are: Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Sinus, Anacin, Comtrex Cold and Cough, Dayquil, Excedrin, Midol PMS, Nyquil Cold/Flu Relief, Robitussin Cold, Cough, and Flu, Sudafed PE Cold & Cough, and Vicks 44 Cold, Cough, and Flu to name a few. According to the dosage charts anyone over the age of 4 months can use acetaminophen “safely”. This study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association appears to contradict the manufacturer’s use of the word “safely”.
The study results showed:
· “The reported use of acetaminophen in the past 12 months was associated with a significant exposure-dependent increased risk of current asthma symptoms.”
· “The reported use of acetaminophen in the past 12 months was associated with a significant dose-dependent increased risk of current symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis (allergy) and eczema.”
· “These findings extend our previous observations from ISAAC Phase Three, that the use of acetaminophen in infancy and current use was associated with an increased risk of asthma symptoms in 6 to 7 year old children.”
Medium Users, 1 or more times per year, had a 43% increased risk for asthma symptoms, 33% for rhinoconjunctivitis (allergy), and 32% increased risk for eczema.
High users, 1 or more times per month, had even reactions with a 151% increased risk for asthma symptoms, 118% for rhinoconjunctivitis(allergy), and 87% increased risk for eczema.
Now, we all should be wondering what definition for “safely” the manufacturer is using. When these are the reactions for adolescents what might be the problems for our children who are closer to the manufacturer’s 4 month age criteria? We should also be concerned with the possible effects on an older population and even pregnant mothers to be and their developing babies.
In closing and to quote the publisher Donald Peterson, Jr.: Imagine the Vice-President of Tylenol Marketing: “I have some good news and some great news. The good news is that the sales of products containing acetaminophen are up. The even better news is that the use of these products is associated with asthma, allergy, and eczema symptoms.
Assuming a causal relationship, we have projected that an adolescent taking our acetaminophen products just once a month will potentially develop other symptoms that result in greater use of asthma drugs, decongestants, antihistamines, and corticosteroids at the very least. These new products, in turn, have the potential to elicit even greater health problems, resulting in even greater use of higher priced drugs.
We estimate that a 13 year old will consume an additional $328 worth of drugs per year and an additional $20,000 over their lifetime.”
The point to be made is that even with “safe” drugs there are always side effects it is just a matter of how long it will take the researchers to find them all.
There are herbal solutions that we can use which do not have the above side effects.
· Willow Bark- Saliciin is the active ingredient as a pain killer for headaches and joint pains.
· Andrographis for acute infections.
· Astragalus for chronic infections.
· Echinacea for prevention and active immune problems.
· Boswellia for inflammation. Ginger in teas, Turmeric and Garlic in foods all act to help with fevers and as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial/antibacterial.
As you can see you have already been using herbs in your daily lives without any negative side effects so all we need to do now is expand that knowledge and use herbal alternatives as your health care solution.
Info from Dynamic Chiropractic
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