Over counter pain medications such as Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen are one of the mainstream type of chosen medications when it comes to pain and aches. But how safe is it and can it be harmful?

Facts are pharmaceutical medications have been found to be quiet harmful in more than one way to the human body, especially when taken over longer periods of time. They are very acidic and contain ingredients that are foreign to the system, thus making the body work harder to alkaline and balance itself. It could affect every cell, organ and aspect of the system. But here we have a research done for hearing loss purposes. We still can not over look all the other harmful factors that are involved with utilizing OTC (over the counter) analgesics. Analgesic harmful effects are not limited to hearing loss or kidney only, but they can effect the liver, stomach and other parts of the organ and system as well.

Ibuprofen and Hearing Loss

A study done in "Nurses Health Study II" which took 14 years to examine analgesic use in a risk factor for hearing loss in women followed 60,000women. Founding's were that over 10,000 women developed hearing loss. The individuals who had taken the ibuprofen for one day a week had an increased risk of developing hearing loss ranged from 13%. Those who used ibuprofen for 2-3 days per week had 24% increased risk and 24% were for those who had used it for 6 or more days per week.
Acetaminophen Use and Hearing Loss Risks

For acetaminophen, the founding's were that those individuals who had used it for 2 or more days per week were from 11-21%. It was found that the risk were increased with more use of acetaminophen.

Aspirin and Hearing Loss

There were no founding's between aspirin and hearing loss.

Why Hearing loss with these Analgesics?

There could be different theories and explanations for why pharmaceutical analgesics would cause hearing loss. One factor that we should understand and consider is that these analgesics do effect the internal system and the kidneys, which are correlated to hearing. Kidney health is integral to human life, but it effects the hearing in particular, in addition to water balance of the body.

Another proposed reason for the hearing loss would relate to hearing organ, cochlea. There are cells that protect the cochlea from damage. Every time that an analgesic is taken to shut off the pain, cellular damage could be taken place on those protective cells that are surrounding the cochlea organ. This would result in impairment of the cochlea's function which in return would affect the hearing.

In addition, analgesics are acidic to the system and do take away vital antioxidants that are part of the protective mechanism, resulting in an acidic system which would not only damage the kidneys but other organs within as well.

Importance of Taking Care of Your kidneys and Organs

I cannot stress how important it is to be aware and take care of your organs. Each organ has a vital function within the system that cannot be underestimated. Especially the kidneys, which are marked as pre-root of life in ancient Chinese Medicine. The vitality of kidneys are very much connected to the vitality of our body thus our life. Thus its importance of being in vital health.

Manipulation of kidneys are a far mistake, as they have such effect on the rest of the system. Making sure that your body is hydrated and kidneys are in optimal health will take you through a much healthier happier life.

What to Do to Preserve Kidney Health?

Drink plenty of pure water, eat and drink vital whole fresh foods, such as vegetables and fruits--which will give the system plenty of water, vitamins, minerals and nutrients that it needs. Avoid depleting its vitality from things such as diuretics (cola's, process foods, acidic foods, junk and fast foods, hydrogenated oils and chemicals, over use of pharmaceutical drugs and even herbal medicines).

What to Do For Pain?

There are really many ways to address pain other than reaching for a pharmaceutical analgesic or pain medication. To address your personal issue, it would be best to consult with a natural health practioner who can help you in detail. Here are some ways that would assist with pain, in general:

• Making sure you have enough liquid intake, such as water
• Eating plenty of foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals and nutrients, such as whole fresh vegetables and fruits
• Avoiding junk, processed foods that would contain hydrogenated oils, chemicals, preservatives, colas that would rid your body of nutrients and make it acidic
• Practicing healthy therapeutic ways that would be calming yet healing to your body, such as meditation, exercise, deep breathing, fresh air, sunshine, relaxation and such
• Stress reduction (this may be of challenge but one more efficient yet permanent way of taking care of the pains and aches)
• Being social
• Doing fun and enjoyable things with family and friends
• Seeking good herbal supplements that are healing yet would assist with pain