Are medications the cause of your muscle pain, dizziness, low energy, confusion, broken femur, allergy, anxiety, depression, type 2 diabetes, etc?

Although prescription and over the counter medication can be very helpful, in some cases the medications may not cure the disorder but instead trigger a cascade of symptoms and more treatments. The risk for negative side effects, rise in mortality and morbidity increases with the number and length of time medications are taken as well as the age of the person. The Institute of Medicine estimates that medications errors are the most common medical mistake and harm at least 1.5 million people each year.  These numbers most likely represent only the tip of the iceberg and do not include the more experience, especially for older people, of taking multiple medications. The medication for the first symptom or disease marker causes another  symptom which is not recognized as a medication side effect. Thus, a second medication is prescribed to treat the first, and then a third prescription to treat the unrecognized side effects of the second medication or the interaction of the first and second medications. Then a third medication is prescribed to treat the these symptoms…

For example in the United States about 21 million patients are  prescribed statins such as Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor, Vytorin to lower to lower their LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol.  Most likely the statins will not reduce your risk of death from coronary heart disease especially if you are taking it for prevention. Instead, the statins often cause muscle pain and weakness, as well as cognitive confusion and forgetfulness. You would then begin to take pain medications to treat the muscle pain and the escalating cycle has begun.

Whatever the medications you are taking, be skeptical of the health claims and investigate whether the benefits outweigh the risks.  In many cases the research data suggests that the harm, especially in long term use, may outweigh the benefits.  If you are taking medications or are being prescribed to take medications, first read Are Your Prescriptions Killing You? by Armon Neel and Bill Hogan.  You may become healthier with fewer drugs.