Dealing with unusually scary and repetitive dreams
Most of us suffer some kind of mild reaction after taking prescription and nonprescription medication. But in some cases, the side effects can be dangerous and potentially life threatening.
Click through and find out some of the side effects associated with medicines, and how to deal with them.
There are many minor side effects of prescription and nonprescription drugs, the most common of which involve the gastrointestinal system, an upset stomach for example, which can cause constipation or induce induce vomiting.
The effects of nausea can be lessened by moderating food intake. Eat several smaller meals throughout the day rather than indulging in two or three large meals. And here's a tip: peppermint is known to settle a dodgy belly.
To relieve constipation, drink more water, and eat more fiber—bran and other whole-grain cereals and high-fiber fruit and vegetables.
Headaches should dissipate as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, if symptoms persist ask your doctor for advice on what best to take to help combat the pain.
Some common allergy medications can trigger side effects simply because of their chemical structure. Dry mouth occurs when you can't make enough saliva and your mouth gets dry and uncomfortable.
Never underestimate the potential side effects of any drug. For example, aspirin, a common over-the-counter drug, is used to relieve minor aches, pains, and fevers. Side effects may include stomach or gut irritation, indigestion, and nausea.
Overuse of aspirin, however, can also worsen asthma symptoms, cause stomach inflammation, and induce vomiting, among other adverse effects.
In extreme cases, aspirin can also have very serious side effects, including bleeding in the brain or stomach or kidney failure.
Paracetamol, another common and freely available mild pain medication, is well-tolerated when administered in therapeutic doses.
Side effects from paracetamol are rare, but can include an allergic reaction, which can cause a rash or swelling.
Administered intravenously in hospital, paracetamol has been known to induce flushing, low blood pressure, and a fast heartbeat.
Antidepressants are generally prescribed for the treatment of clinical depression. Mild side effects can include nausea and headache, for instance. But intake of antidepressants is particularly associated with poor sleep continuity.
Antidepressants can cause insomnia because they tend to suppress rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and instead increase the time it takes to reach this unique phase of sleep. You can help yourself get a better night's sleep by abstaining from caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, for example, and avoiding exercising in the later afternoon or evening.
Complementary and alternative medicines are increasingly used to diagnose or treat a range of health conditions. While numerous studies have reported benefits of this type of medicine, adverse side effects do exist.
Herbal remedies may lead to allergic contact dermatitis, for example.
Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when a substance to which you're sensitive (allergen) triggers an immune reaction in your skin. Treatment includes applying an anti-itch cream or lotion to the affected area.
In rarer instances, organ toxicity has been associated with various herbal preparations involving the liver, kidneys, and the heart.
Mild, short-term side effects of acupuncture can include bleeding or bruising where the needles puncture the skin, and feeling dizzy or nauseous. More worryingly, infectious complications after acupuncture, including hepatitis and bacterial endocarditis, have been recorded. This is why acupuncture should only be carried out under strict hygienic conditions.
Any vaccine can cause side effects, though most are minor and short-lived. A sore arm for example, or a mild fever.
Millions of people across the world were inoculated against coronavirus disease (COVID-19). There have been reports of a few isolated cases involving blood clots in a small number of those who received the jab. However, scientists are yet to establish a definite causal relation between the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and blood clots.
The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. But even receiving regularly recommended vaccines such as those against influenza, hepatitis, or yellow fever can pose a risk, albeit remote. Always consult a healthcare professional before opting for any kind of jab.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Inform your doctor if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
Mixing alcohol and medication is always dangerous. The combination can lead to serious health consequences, including overdose and even death.
Major effects of using alcohol with antidepressants include, not surprisingly, inhibiting the medicinal effect of the antidepressant drug. The combination can also reduce motor function, and increase potential for damage to organs, such as the liver.
One welcome side effect of minoxidil, originally marketed as an oral high blood pressure medication, was its ability to grow hair in patients. It's now used to treat baldness in males and females.
Zolpidem is primarily used for the short-term treatment of sleeping problems, and is effective for those needing a decent night's sleep. However in some instances, the drug actually roused patients into sleep walking, sleep eating, and even sleep driving. Furthermore, they had no memory of their dream-like actions the next morning.
And incredibly, some patients taking the cancer drug capecitabine have on rare occasions lost their fingerprints as a sub-side effect of hand-foot syndrome, a condition that causes redness, swelling, and pain on the palms of the hands and/or the soles of the feet.
Sources: (Web MD) (Medical News Today) (Sleepio) (National Library of Medicine) (CDC) (Pharmaceutical Technology) (Verywell Mind) (American Addiction Centers) (Pharmacy Times) (Better Health Channel)
See also: The dark side of extreme weight loss
Medicine side effects and how to deal with them
Mild and more serious reactions to the medication we take
HEALTH Human body
Most of us suffer some kind of mild reaction after taking prescription and nonprescription medication. But in some cases, the side effects can be dangerous and potentially life threatening.
Click through and find out some of the side effects associated with medicines, and how to deal with them.