While browsing through a
magazine Grandma brought with her, I expected to see advertisements,
but not this many. Out of 218 pages, almost half of them were paid
advertisements. I counted 134 advertisements..........and the
advertisements for medications were usually 2 pages and sometimes 3
pages long! With the sad understanding that many medical
professionals are in the business of treating symptoms instead of
promoting good health through prevention, I wasn't entirely
surprised. I decided to read the details of one of the advertisements
for a medications.
Eventhough not surprising, I
still find it shocking what some people are willing to risk and put
up with just for the sake of a quick fix. Maybe they just don't have
a full understanding of the ramifications or they don't understand
them. So, what are people willing to put up with? This particular
medication can cause serious effects including low calcium levels in
your blood, severe kidney problems, severe jaw bone problems, bone,
joint or muscle pain, and unusual thigh bone fractures. This
medication can cause allergic reactions, such as hives or, in rare
cases, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. And, the most
common side-effects include flu-like symptoms, fever, muscle or joint
pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
After reading the long list
of side effects for just that one medication, I decided to read more
about some of the others. Many side effects listed were the same and
then the list just kept on growing as side effects others listed
included kidney failure, liver damage, chest pains, digestive
problems, heartburn, groin pain, numbness or tingling in fingers,
toes or around the mouth, cancer, lump or swelling in neck and the
list goes on and on. Is that insane, or what?
Too many times, I have also
seen the rows of medication in people's medicine cabinets. Many of
which are to “take care” of the side effects of other medications
they are taking. It can become quite an insanity. So not only are
people taking medication that have effects, some of which can even be
deadly, but they then are taking more medications because of what the
first medications are doing to them. What a viscious cycle!
There are lifestyle choices
one can make to have and maintain good health. There is a time and
place for medications, but prevention is the best medication.
