HEADACHES

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MAGNESIUM & TURMERIC VS IBUPROFEN & ACETAMINOPHEN

What are The Benefits vs The Risks? 

I’m guessing almost everyone has experienced a headache at some point in their life, for one reason or another.

There are many causes of headaches: Dehydration, Hormonal Imbalance, Illness, Physical Trauma, Tension, Eye Strain, Sinus Pressure, Migraine – are some that come to mind.

And there are many treatments too.

IBUPROFEN

As a pharmacist, my go to headache remedy was always ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). This worked for me most of the time and logically made sense. Most causes of headaches create some type of inflammation in the body and ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID). NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, temporarily reduce the amount of prostaglandins made by your body.

PROSTAGLANDINS

What are these things called prostaglandins?

Your body releases prostaglandins when you have an injury. These hormone-like substances contribute to inflammation, which includes swelling, fever, and increased sensitivity to pain.

Great! Ibuprofen! – A simple solution for a simple problem. Right?

BENEFITS VS RISKS OF IBUPROFEN

I’ve been taught to weigh the benefits versus the risks for any medication or treatment. This is good advice for anyone contemplating a health decision.

So the next logical question: 

Does the use of ibuprofen to treat a headache outweigh the risk?

Getting rid of a headache is definitely a benefit but ibuprofen has many potential side effects.

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF IBUPROFEN

The more common side effects of ibuprofen are related to the  GI (gastrointestinal) system: :

  • Stomach Pain / Irritation of the Stomach Lining
  • Heartburn
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Gas
  • Constipation or Diarrhea
SEVERE SIDE EFFECTS OF IBUPROFEN

There are other side effects, they are more uncommon but more severe, and definitely more concerning risks:

  • Heart attack and stroke
    • This is a rare side effect, but your risk increases if you use too much ibuprofen or use it for too long. 
    • Your risk is even higher if you:
      • Have other risk factors for heart attack or stroke
      • Have a clotting disorder
      • Take other medications that affect how your blood clots
  • Decreased Kidney Function and Increased Blood Pressure
    • This is related to ibuprofen’s effect on prostaglandins.
    • Prostaglandins help keep the pressure in your kidneys at the right level to filter the fluids in your body and maintain blood pressure.
    • Since ibuprofen changes your body’s production of prostaglandins, this can cause an imbalance in your body fluid pressure, which can decrease kidney function and increase blood pressure.
      • Your risk is even higher if you:
        • Are an older adult
        • Have kidney disease
        • Take blood pressure medications
  • Ulcers and Bleeding in the Stomach and Intestines
    • Prostaglandins again! – they help maintain the constant repair of your stomach lining, which protects it from the stomach acid.
    • Since ibuprofen decreases prostaglandin production, it increases your risk for stomach damage such as bleeding and ulcers in the stomach and intestines.
    • This is not a common side effect, but the risk increases the longer you use ibuprofen. 
    • Other factors that increase your risk include:
      • Again, older age
      • History of ulcers or bleeding in your stomach or intestines
      • Use of oral steroids or blood thinners 
      • Smoking
      • Alcohol use
IS THE BENEFIT WORTH THE RISK?

That is a lot of potential risk for the benefit of getting rid of a headache!

What are your other options?

ACETAMINOPHEN

There is acetaminophen (Tylenol). This has not worked well for me personally for getting rid of a headache, but it is a top recommendation of many doctors and pharmacists, especially if there are reasons that a person should not take ibuprofen or NSAIDs.

It’s not fully known how acetaminophen works. It doesn’t reduce swelling or inflammation. Instead, it’s thought to block the release of certain chemicals in your brain that signal the sensation of pain.

CONCERNING SIDE EFFECTS OF ACETAMINOPHEN

Acetaminophen doesn’t have many of the more common side effects like ibuprofen but the potential harm it can do to your body’s liver is very concerning and worth considering before taking a dose for a headache.

Your liver is your main detox pathway in your body. It processes environmental toxins, pesticides or other toxins from your food and water, medications, alcohol and everything else that you put into or onto your body.

  • Severe liver damage
    • Acetaminophen poisoning can happen from taking too much acetaminophen. 
    • Your liver processes acetaminophen and converts it into a different substance. If you take large amounts of acetaminophen, your liver produces more of that substance. And when there is too much of it, that substance can damage your liver. 
    • Permanent liver damage is not likely if you take it at the recommended dose for a short period of time.
    • Unfortunately acetaminophen overuse is more common than you think. This can occur in:
      • Adults who take more than 3 g (3,000 mg) of acetaminophen in a 24-hour period – That is just 6 tablets of 500mg each.
      • Children who take more than five doses in a 24-hour period
      • People who already have liver disease or who take other medications that can damage the liver
      • People who drink three or more alcoholic drinks per day, even when they take acetaminophen at the recommended dosage

The risks of ibuprofen or acetaminophen are a lot to consider but those aren’t your only options.

MAGNESIUM

Magnesium is a vital nutrient that plays a part in more than 300 of the body’s processes. Magnesium deficiency can cause many issues, including headaches. 

MUSCLE MOVEMENTS

Because of the role magnesium plays in muscle contraction and relaxation, it can be effective for reducing tension headaches and migraines.  Magnesium has the potential to both prevent headaches as well as eliminate an existent headache.

NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION

Magnesium plays a role in regulating neurotransmitters, which send messages throughout your brain and nervous system. This is part of the body’s stress response system. A reduced magnesium level in the body can decrease your ability to deal with stress, which can lead to headaches, among other things.

DEHYDRATION / SWEATING

Most people aren’t consuming enough magnesium per day and some people may be more susceptible to magnesium loss. When you sweat – due to exercise, menopausal hot flashes or illness – you lose water and electrolytes (sodium, magnesium, etc). This can lead to dehydration if both water and electrolytes (sodium, magnesium, etc) are not replenished. 

MAGNESIUM IN YOUR DIET

Adding magnesium rich foods into your diet is essential. These include:  dark leafy greens, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds (almonds and pumpkin seeds), and even organic dark chocolate.

Many people are deficient in magnesium. This can be a result of eating refined and processed food, the increasing prevalence of chronic disease and because of mineral depletion in our soil, and subsequently in our food. 

MAGNESIUM SUPPLEMENTATION

Magnesium supplementation is a great option. Choose a supplement that is readily absorbed like Natural Vitality’s Calm (Mg carbonate) or Advanced Magnesium (Mg Malate, Mg Glycinate).

Magnesium is a safe and well-tolerated option for preventing headaches and can be used as an acute treatment option as well. 

Magnesium supplementation does have the potential to cause diarrhea for some people. This occurs with certain forms of magnesium that are not well absorbed, like magnesium oxide or when taking high doses of any form. 

Too much dietary magnesium is typically not a problem for healthy people, as any excess will be processed by the kidneys and be excreted in urine. 

TURMERIC / CURCUMIN

Turmeric is an herb closely related to the ginger family. It is native to India and is one of the main ingredients in curry dishes. The bright yellow color of turmeric is due to the curcumin it contains. Whether you love curry dishes, dislike them or have never tried them, the benefits of turmeric / curcumin are amazing.

Most of the research on turmeric centers on its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This can be helpful with preventing and managing headaches since Inflammation is one of the underlying causes of headaches and migraines. The research is not conclusive but it is promising. 

Most studies test the effects of curcumin — the active component in turmeric — because it’s much stronger than the powdered spice.

It’s important to know that curcumin supplements contain a much higher concentration of the beneficial polyphenols than the amount you’d get from eating curry — even if you love curry and eat it every day.

SIDE EFFECTS OF TURMERIC / CURCUMIN

There are many more benefits than side effects with turmeric / curcumin when eaten or taken in typical amounts (turmeric: consumed in teas, soups or curry dishes or curcumin: 400 – 600 mg per day) . When taken at higher doses, curcumin can cause some unpleasant side effects like nausea, diarrhea — and yes —  even headache.

Pure turmeric powders are considered safe for most people. When you are consuming turmeric, make sure you are buying it from a trusted source. Your best bet is to choose turmeric that has been certified by a reputable agency. Many powders, unfortunately, are adulterated. This means that cheaper and potentially toxic ingredients have been added and are not listed on the label.

Some commercial turmeric powders may contain fillers like barley, wheat or rye flour, which can cause adverse symptoms in people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Some turmeric powders may also contain questionable food colorants, which are added to improve color when the powder is diluted with flour. Some turmeric powders may also be high in lead, a heavy metal that is especially toxic to the nervous system.

CURCUMIN SUPPLEMENTS

Weighing benefits vs risks is always the best way to decide if this supplement is something that may work for you. 

Curcumin has many benefits beyond preventing or treating headaches. It has anti-inflammatory properties; inflammation is the root cause of almost all diseases. It is rich in antioxidants, promotes liver health, improves brain function, improves heart health, lowers cholesterol, lowers blood glucose and helps to prevent blood clots.

The typical daily dosage is 400 to 600 milligram of curcumin per day, this is equivalent to approximately 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder.

You can try this to prevent or manage a headache.

Because of the effect that curcumin supplements have on the different functions of the body they may conflict with other medications you are taking. If you are taking medications for various disease states, consult your physician before taking curcumin supplements.

My go to curcumin supplement is  Super Bio-Curcumin Turmeric Extract. It contains 400 mg of curcumin per capsule.

DECIDE WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU

Next time you have a headache or if you suffer from recurring headaches, weigh your options and the benefits and risks they have to offer.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical advice.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

ALCOHOL’S EFFECT ON YOU AND YOUR LIVER

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ALCOHOL IS PART OF OUR SOCIAL DYNAMIC

It can add an element of fun, silliness or sophistication to our experiences. However, it is helpful to be aware of the benefits and risks behind anything we choose to put into our body.

ALCOHOL CAN ADD HAPPINESS AND ENHANCE OUR EXPERIENCES

It is fun to have a cocktail with friends. It can help us relax and unwind. Spending time with friends and family is good for the spirit. Of course, it is possible to take things a little too far. Getting a little carried away and having a few too many might make your next morning a bit of a challenge, but how much harm can a few drinks really cause?

YOUR LIVER HAS MANY RESPONSIBILITES

The liver performs hundreds of functions, including metabolizing the fats, carbohydrates and proteins in our diet. The liver’s primary job is to filter toxins from the blood. Drinking alcohol gives your body extra work to do which keeps it from performing other jobs, like removing other harmful toxins and metabolizing your fats, carbohydrates and proteins.

ALCOHOL IS HIGH PRIORITY FOR YOUR LIVER

Once you have a drink containing alcohol, your body makes metabolizing it a priority because, unlike fats, carbohydrates and proteins, your body doesn’t have a way to store alcohol.

YOUR LIVER WORKS HARD TO GET IT ALL DONE

When you have a cocktail, beer or wine, your liver detoxifies and removes the alcohol thru a process called oxidation. The liver first converts the alcohol to another toxic substance called acetaldehyde. When oxidation is complete, acetaldehyde becomes water and carbon dioxide, which is excreted from the body.

A healthy liver can metabolize one alcoholic drink per hour. Have more than that, and the toxic acetaldehyde builds up in the body, causing a hangover. Drink too much too often, and the liver suffers damage.

FAT CONSEQUENCES OF TOO MUCH ALCOHOL

When you drink alcohol, the liver must choose to burn acetaldehyde for fuel instead of fat. If you drink too much too often, damage can result. Acetaldehyde damages the liver, and fat is stored in the liver instead of elsewhere in the body or being burned off altogether. This can lead to a condition called fatty liver disease. This is an early stage of liver disease and can typically be completely reversed in a month or two from simply abstaining from drinking alcohol and supporting your liver. Once liver damage has progressed beyond the fatty liver stage, damage typically becomes irreversible.

ALCOHOL’S EFFECT ON THE REST OF YOUR BODY

IMMUNE SYSTEM

Alcohol can weaken the immune system. If you drink every day, or almost every day, you may notice that you catch colds, flu or other illnesses more frequently than people who don’t drink.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Drinking can upset the balance of the microorganisms in your digestive system. It can also damage the tissues in your GI tract and prevent you from digesting food and from absorbing nutrients and vitamins. Drinking alcohol can also lead to gassiness, bloating, and diarrhea.

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

Alcohol can affect your heart and lungs. Chronic use of alcohol puts you at higher risk for heart related issues including: high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, stroke, heart attack and heart disease.

SKELETAL AND MUSCLE SYSTEMS

Long-term alcohol use may prevent your body from keeping your bones strong. Thinner bones may increase your risk for fractures if you fall and these fractures may heal more slowly.

Drinking alcohol may also lead to muscle weakness and cramping.

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Slurred speech is one of the first signs you’ve had too much to drink. Alcohol can reduce communication between your body and your brain, impairing coordination.

THE GOOD NEWS: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Your liver is very resilient and capable of regenerating itself. It can develop new cells, but prolonged alcohol use over many years can reduce your liver’s ability to regenerate. Be kind to your body and support it in the best ways you can.

Empowered with this knowledge you can make your choices. “How much is too much?” is ultimately up to you.

WHY I LOVED TO DRINK

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HELLO ALCOHOL MY OL’ FRIEND….

I had a roller coaster relationship with alcohol, both ups and downs. Yes, nothing is all good or all bad in life, and I learned some lessons on this ride.

ABOUT ME

I was the first born of three, to young parents, in their early 20’s. They loved me very much, this I have always known. I had a happy childhood and I think I had a more active social life between the ages of 1 and 3 than I do at 50. I went everywhere with my parents, softball games, bars, card club, … you name it and I got to come along and always felt included.

I EXPERIENCED ALCOHOL AS A HAPPY THING

I have a warm memory associated with the smell of beer and cigarettes; and the feeling of laying my head on my mom’s chest, listening to her heartbeat and the voices of the adults talking and laughing as I drifted off to sleep. I felt safety, comfort and love. Some people may judge this scenario, but I don’t. It was part of my happy childhood. I saw alcohol as a happy thing, as an adult thing and something I wanted when I “grew up”.

I DIDN’T WAIT ‘TIL I WAS 21

I did a bit of underage drinking in high school, but very carefully. I didn’t want to disappoint or embarrass my parents, and I didn’t want to experience the consequence of my choice. I did want to be like them and feel grown up and happy. I have many fun, and some scary, memories of my high school years, some around alcohol and some not. As an adult, I know this was against the law and not something I was supposed to do.  I knew it was something my parents, my teachers and my coaches would have frowned upon and may have even been shocked about, but it was fun, formed deeper bonds with my friends and made me feel included.

DRINKING AND THE OL’ COLLEGE TRY

It seemed that EVERYONE drank in college, it was just part of the culture. It was fun, and being a shy introverted person, I found alcohol to be a vehicle to opening up faster and to giving me a sense of belonging. However, the consequences of drinking started to become more apparent. The trade off to going out to parties became my struggle with grades. I had never had this before, and I didn’t particularly like this new struggle. However, it did teach me that I always have a choice and a consequence. If I didn’t go out with my friends I might miss out on something super fun. What if they stopped inviting me if I said no too many times? My grades improved when I focused my energy on studying and away from drinking. This was obviously a positive outcome, but I didn’t like making that choice. Why could other people I knew do both? It wasn’t fair. I spent a lot of time in “victim mode” when I chose studying over drinking and fun, but I pushed through and graduated with the knowledge I needed to become a successful member of society and to help people thru medicine.

ALCOHOL MADE ME SICK

After graduating, I became an adult. I had my own apartment, my own car, my own bills, and my own job. I could make all of my own choices with no consequences, right?!?  Well, one thing that followed me from high school, to college and into adulthood was what my dad likes to call the “Krohn Curse”. I never tolerated alcohol well. Almost every time I drank, I would have nausea and a headache the next day at minimum. At maximum, I would be physically sick for 2 to 3 days. This was usually dependent on the quantity of alcohol consumed, but not always. I was only responsible for myself at this point, so I would often choose the fun alcohol brought over the known consequence of consuming the alcohol. So many fun memories were created at this time in my life as well, but the consequences were always there. From wasting the whole day after a night of fun to having to call in sick to my new job that I loved. This was after going out for dinner and drinks with a friend on a weeknight and having just 2 cocktails. I woke up the next morning physically ill and unable to function. I remember calling and talking to one of my pharmacy mentors, sobbing and feeling so ashamed. I was thankful when I was met with kindness and compassion, even though I was completely honest about my self inflicted illness.

BUT I DIDN’T STOP

This changed how I drank but did not stop me from drinking. I would very strategically choose to only drink before a day I could afford to waste. But Why? Why choose to do something to your body that was harmful? The answer was simple, it was because it was fun and social and made me feel included.

KIDS AND ALCOHOL

Having children squelched the desire to drink a bit more. The consequences became too big. I could not afford to feel ill for an entire day when I had a beautiful little being that depended on me. Yet, my husband and I were far away from family, in a new environment and wanted to make friends. I loved the free easy feeling that alcohol brought when making new friends. I was not so guarded and it was much easier to open up and form the friendship bonds faster. But, as life often does, the challenges of being married, being parents, dealing with the balancing of work/home life became more intense and then drinking started to be a means of escape. I did not notice this at the time but hindsight is crystal clear. Alcohol did not cause any of my problems, but it was not a productive way to deal with my problems.

DIVORCE AND ALCOHOL

After my divorce, the irony was, I stopped drinking. If I would have a cocktail it would be mostly for appearances. I didn’t want to address the reasons why I stopped drinking, and at the time, I didn’t entirely understand it myself. I would still choose to have a drink here and there in a social setting where it was just fun to have some cocktails and get silly. Sometimes I dealt with the consequences and sometimes I got a free pass.

IT FINALLY STOPPED WHEN I WAS DIAGNOSED

It wasn’t until my diagnosis, with rheumatoid arthritis, that I stopped drinking completely. This reason was truly for me. I felt lousy when I wasn’t drinking and I didn’t want to knowingly add to my misery.

TEACHING MOMENTS

As a mom of teenagers, I told them I wanted to take the curiosity out of the alcohol but realized I could not remove the peer pressure. The choices they made, in relationship to peer pressure, was up to them to handle in their own way. They have been allowed to drink with me at home, to see what it tastes like and how it makes them feel. Sometimes we just get out the “pretty glasses” and have non-alcoholic drinks just to feel special and grown up. I have shared my consequences of feeling lousy after drinking and they have seen me experience this first hand. I shared my struggle with grades in college and the choices I made.  I have always stressed that there is absolutely no reason for driving after having even a single drink. They know they can always call me, or call their dad, for a ride and there will be no consequences. Conversation? Absolutely!! But no consequences if they are taking the opportunity offered to them to be safe.

I UNDERSTAND WHY I HAVE THE CURSE

Now that I know what alcohol does to my body and the burden it places on my liver, I understand why I have the “Krohn Curse” and I choose not to drink. I find there are friends who are curious about this choice. They knew me in my high school or college or post college days and this is something different. I don’t find there to be judgment, just curiosity of the why. It took me a half a century to be truly comfortable with this choice and with sharing the ‘why’.

TEMPTATIONS

There are times I am on vacation or in a social setting where I want a drink to have that warm happy experience, but typically I find another choice and put it in a pretty glass. I find that the warm happy experience exists even in the absence of alcohol. On those occasions where I truly want the experience of a drink ~a cold beer up north on the lake, an icy tropical drink when I am lounging on the beach by the ocean or a brandy old fashioned when the snow is falling and there is a crackling fire in the fireplace~ then I will have one knowing that this may be nourishing my soul in some way but also with the full knowledge that this is something that is not nourishing my body.

CHOICES

I know the choice is always mine to make and the consequence is always mine to endure. This most often leads me to find the joy in the situation without choosing the alcohol.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you have a similar experience with alcohol? Is your experience something completely different? I find sharing an learning from one another to be therapeutic and educational.

Have a wonderful week!