“For every drug that benefits a patient, there is a natural substance that can achieve the same effect.”
– Dr Carl C. Pfeiffer
Then why is it that drugs have become our first choice and not herbs? Well, the answer is obvious, in today’s fast-paced life we all want immediate results and while, some herbs do give immediate results for simple ailments, more serious ailments call for a longer treatment with herbs which most people don’t have the patience for. Also, at times the harm done is so extensive that we do need immediate results.
But, the biggest problem with allopathic medicines is their side effects, they might cure your ailment, but they more often than not, leave you with another one, resulting in the Doctor prescribing you another drug to reduce the side effect. This can sometimes become a vicious cycle.
From my personal experience, I understand that even though medication, long-term or temporary, sometimes is a necessity but, having further prescription drugs to counter the side effects of medications can usually be avoided by adopting simple home remedies instead.
So what are the most commonly occurring side effects of most allopathic medications?
Hyperacidity, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, Abdominal cramps, water retention, oral ulcers, weight gain, weight loss, bone and joint pains, hair fall, High blood pressure, liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, drowsiness and, even hallucinations.
So let us learn a few tips to keep in mind whenever on medication.
- Know your medicine– don’t blindly accept whatever the Doctor has prescribed, without counter questions. Inquire about the side effect so that you are aware if it ever occurs, check the dosage too, and always make sure to ask your Doctor for the minimum dose required.
- WATER, WATER, WATER– Keep yourself hydrated, side effects occur because all oral medicines affect our whole body and not just the affected part. So drinking adequate water helps in flushing out the toxins present in drugs.
- Supplementation – Most drugs along with the ailment deplete our body’s vitamin and mineral stores, in turn leading to the side effects. So, why not replenish our vitamin stores instead of treating the symptom alone. Supplementation also helps in a quicker recovery.
Now; I know what my colleagues would be thinking “How can a nutritionist say take supplementation, instead of trying to get essential micronutrients through food?? “
Yes, like most nutritionists I do agree that healthy eating can keep giving us all the essential micronutrients that we need and that supplementation gives us synthetic vitamins and minerals which are not equally effective. But, the rules are changed when on medication, and to make up for the fast depletion and to prevent simple side effects, supplementation is key.
Now let’s take up those common Side effects individually and know what can be done about them.
Hyperacidity: – If you have ever been prescribed an antibiotic, you would have noticed that your Doctor always prescribes an antacid along with it. And, it’s not only antibiotics that cause acidity, most drugs do.
DID YOU KNOW – antacids themselves can cause drug dependence, constipation or diarrhoea, the vicious cycle that I was talking about.
Instead, ditch the antacid and go for a glass of warm water with half a lemon squeezed in it – first thing in the morning. In fact, don’t wait till you get the acidity, start beforehand to prevent it, Plus lemon water also helps to remove those toxins I was talking about.
For severe acidity, you can have lemon water after every meal too. And for immediate relief, you can try chewing on a basil leaf – works same as 2 tbsp of prescribed antacid syrup.
Constipation: – Another simple side effect, with a simple cure, though in the case of any complaint from the patient for constipation along with medicines, the Doctor will never fail to prescribe yet another syrup for relieving the symptom. The problem – drug dependence again. The Solution – adequate hydration, good soluble fibre in the diet, simple fruits like papaya, and bananas can work wonders.
In the case of severe constipation, a tablespoon of Psyllium husk (Isabgol), that is a naturally occurring fibre can work as good as any prescribed syrup.
Diarrhea: – If it’s not constipation, it’s diarrhoea – more often than not diarrhoea is caused due to hyperacidity. So the above-mentioned lemon water works as the best prevention. Another quick age-old cure is black tea with lemon -tea contains astringent tannins that help reduce intestinal inflammation.
And to replenish the electrolytes lost during severe diarrhoea, just have simple ORS solution, lime juice (with sugar and salt), juices and coconut water at short intervals.
Nausea – Nausea or vomiting again usually subsides with lime juice and ORS solution.
Oral ulcers – Another common occurrence whenever someone is prescribed antibiotics. These are caused due to hyperacidity and depletion of B-complex vitamin stores in the body – So a supplementation of B-complex and the first prevention that is lemon water usually works best.
For severe and painful ulcers – applying honey on the affected area, and gargling with lightly salted water usually, helps alleviate the pain.
Water retention and weight gain: – Almost 70% of weight gain due to medication is because of water retention. So by simply reducing our salt intake, upping our potassium intake and water intake, we can say goodbye to our water intake.
Fruits like sweet lime, oranges, tomatoes, and bananas are all high in potassium, and not to forget my favourite – coconut water.
Increasing our water intake also helps in reducing water retention.
Replacing some of our salt with black salt also helps in increasing your potassium intake and reduce sodium intake. Another big culprit of high sodium in processed food which can be easily avoided.
Water retention aside, the long-term use of some drugs – like oral steroids, antidepressants, Antihistamines, and even insulin can cause weight gain.
In such a case, eating healthy, and having a good exercise regime helps a lot. If a healthy lifestyle is adopted, these drugs are less likely to affect our waistlines. Knowing that the drug can cause weight gain also helps in making sure we try and avoid long-term use of the same.
Weight loss: – With most medications, weight loss results due to severe loss of appetite, and the toll the ailment and its treatment is taking on the body. Good Proteins and good fats to supplement our diet along with medication helps a lot in preventing severe weight loss.
It is also important to understand that this weight loss is temporary and due to the condition, which can be reversed once the medication stops.
Bone and Joint Pain: – Many drugs leach calcium from our body and some medicines can also cause depletion of vitamin D. So, timely calcium and vitamin D supplementation along with prescribed drugs can usually reduce these symptoms.
Hair loss: – Again, nothing but protein depletion, and your body’s proteins are getting used up elsewhere to fight inflammation.
Liver toxicity: – Our liver should be cleansed timely, ailment or no ailment, side effects or no side effects. It may sound complex but, it’s really easy. A daily morning glass of lemon water on an empty stomach can detox your liver. For added toxicity or side effects, garlic is another excellent food to cleanse the liver. Just chew on a clove of raw garlic every morning, and the allicin (an organosulfur compound obtained from garlic) works wonders.
Kidney toxicity: – Simple kidney toxicity or high uric acid levels can be easily corrected with just increasing our water intake, for cleansing the liver further, you can just add a cup of coriander or parsley tea to your routine daily.
Drowsiness: Drowsiness is usually just temporary, and again, knowing in advance that a drug can cause you to be sleepy, can prevent any serious damage.
Hallucination: – Yes, some drugs do cause hallucination, again temporarily, And the best way to Manage these. Is to be aware that the said drug can cause hallucinations. If we stay aware, it is less likely that the hallucination will scare or disturb us.
Follow the above and avoid complications due to medications.
Rich Haferd says
May 5, 2017 at 10:13 amHi Azra Faizan,
I have read your post. It was good. I am totally agreed with you that herbs or natural therapy can be our first choice.
Thanks for sharing this essential post.
Thankyou
Azra Faizan says
May 5, 2017 at 3:44 pmthanks for your feedback
shahid says
October 7, 2017 at 8:28 pmhi mam..i am shahid age 18. And weight 55 i am very thin i tried alot to become little bit faaty to improve personality but nothing happned suggest some thing
Azra Faizan says
October 7, 2017 at 8:33 pmhi shahid, do you have a GOQii account?
SHABBIR says
January 15, 2018 at 10:26 pmI as well have the same problem, plz do help if possible. Shabbir786110@hotmail.com
Nita says
October 23, 2017 at 7:41 amHi Azra
My son is feeling through brain tuberculoma. He is 27 years of age and staying alone due to job. Heas to take medicines that are steroids and tuberculoma drugs. This is app 1 month problem. Suddenly he has started developing headache and uneasy stomach. Can you please suggest any remedy
Azra Faizan says
October 24, 2017 at 5:53 pmanti tuberculosis medications, can cause upset stomach, nausea, and sometimes even mild gout, its best to get other parameters checked to know the exact cause of the headache. for the uneasy stomach, simple remedies like light meals, yoghurt with meals, and if severe acidity lemon water post meals, help a lot.
Ahmad Malik says
November 26, 2017 at 6:12 pmRespected Azra Faizan,
Salam. I read y tip for avoiding. Side effects, really nice. I need some guidance for myself. From last one and half month I am using medicines like augmention, paracetamol, citrazine, beocitrazine etc for my pain in feet. Almost a weeek ago I got fever like malaria, but now better. But now I am feeling totally exhausted, stomach problem, especially taste. Pleease recommend me some food and juices in short some diet so i can recover my health and weight as well. Thanks so much
I am Ahmad malik from Malaysia.
Azra Faizan says
December 31, 2017 at 11:47 amas mentioned in the article, simple foods and simple lemon water are best for improving stomach issues. the weakness, on the other hand, will mostly improve over time when health gets better if prolonged you can look into a simple multivitamin for a short duration.
Nad says
December 10, 2017 at 6:40 pmHi mam , i am suffering from epilepsy,from 15 years and I used medicine Oxcarbazene , lobazam due to which i a m gaining regulalry ,what I will do to reduce side effects. Of such drugs.
Azra Faizan says
December 31, 2017 at 11:48 amregular exercise and control on diet, so as to maintain current weight.
Emma says
December 28, 2017 at 3:07 pmHi Azra Faizan,
I had to lose weight to keep my body healthy but now my weight It’s a lot less now what I can do
Azra Faizan says
December 31, 2017 at 11:45 amcheck whether there is any added weakness along with the lower weight if you are having normal activity levels, and feel fit, there is no issue in being a bit under the ideal weight.
Eating healthy is more important.
Abdul aziz says
January 20, 2018 at 10:20 pmHi madam,how can I get relife from carbamazepine side effects?
Azra Faizan says
June 6, 2018 at 9:27 pmwill have to know what the side effects are first.
tasneem says
February 13, 2018 at 6:52 pmhi
i hv aproblem of heptits b positive and taking too much of stroids my sweating glanc ar nt wori king properly i do exercise and yoga then also its doesnt help in summwer season my bidy tempreture increse more than 105 c even i m not able to do roza nd not able to my work so plzzz help me out
thank u
ANKESH says
February 27, 2018 at 12:15 pmI am on Phenytoin tablets,150mb in morning and 200mg at night ,
can u suggest me wht shoul i have to avoid the side effects if the medecines,
thanks
Azra Faizan says
February 28, 2018 at 8:02 pmAre you facing any side effects currently if soo, refer to the article for anything like nausea or dizziness lemon water helps best. having good water intake to flush out the toxins, and if facing any sleep issues try deep breathing.
Victoria Suydam says
February 28, 2018 at 4:21 pmHi my Dr wants me to take 1 baby aspirin a day to prevent blood clots from a mirto valve prolapse.
I have symptoms of severe restless legs thrashing around the bed all night not being able to sleep if I take aspirin, eat certain foods, or even take some. Vitamins. O don’t know what to do or know what kind of dr to see to find out why I am not able to. Please help
Thank you. Victoria suydam
Azra Faizan says
February 28, 2018 at 7:59 pmconsult with your doctor who has prescribed the medicine which is causing these side effects.
For better sleep, you could try some deep breathing or a cup of chamomile tea before bed.
Aurahshah says
March 22, 2018 at 2:20 amIam suffering from hypothyroidism since ten years and taking 50mcg euthyrox daily.My sugar level is also increasing upto 125 in fasting .And I have vitamin D ,vitamin B12 and calcium deficiency which leads to joints pain and gum receding.
I want some home remedies and diet plan which help my health condition.My age is 40 height 5’2and weight 58 .
Thanks a lot
Sanam says
April 17, 2018 at 2:11 amHi i am sanam khan, due to some family issues i got depressed and i started developing tension headaches for which i took painkillers like for 2 weeks now i don’t know how much harm is done to my body as i overdosed it, which fruits can help me to overcome these harms.
Azra Faizan says
June 6, 2018 at 9:25 pmtwo week will not cause very severe damage, having more water, and lemon water help in flushing out the toxins.
Cheryl says
June 6, 2018 at 7:52 pmHello I found this article very helpful. Thank you for the information. I’m on Enbrel for Rheumsttoid Arthritis. I’ve been having swelling in my ankles and hands as a side effect along with some itchy areas on my skin. Do you have any suggestions.
Thanks
roshni says
June 26, 2018 at 5:42 amThis is a very helpful article. I am suffering from stomach ache as well as a toothache at the moment. This is God send, thank you!!
James Elezworth says
July 16, 2018 at 2:11 pmVery helpful article this is. I highly appreciate your efforts. I need help can you please tell me what medicine should i take for swelling in my gums.
Silvia Robert says
September 9, 2018 at 12:25 pmActually This post is exactly what I am interested. we need some more good information. Please add more good information that would help others in such good way.
janis says
September 19, 2018 at 10:39 ami took painkiller supergin and vitamin b capsule month ago as pescribed by doctor but within 2 days of taking medicine i got side effects and still not recovering from it even after month….what should i do ? i am having heavy head sometimes headache stomach heavy sometime vomiting heavy in breast and pinching sensation
Aayush Gupta says
November 14, 2018 at 12:08 pmHello Azra Faizan,
Good post !
Could you tell me the source of the first quote mentioned.
“For every drug that benefits a patient, there is a natural substance that can achieve the same effect.”
– Dr Carl C. Pfeiffer
I would like to know the authenticity of this statement.
Amit says
February 1, 2019 at 5:15 pmDear Azra Faizan,
To treat stomach disorders, my doctor has given me anti-anxiety / depression drugs. Without those medicines now, it seems I feel uncomfortable. Not sure if I have developed addiction. Can you please advise how can I break this cycle?
Many thanks.
Arthur says
March 26, 2019 at 2:04 pmThanks for the helpful article, helpful information in this news helped me a lot