Each day more than 30 million Americans use over-the-counter pain medications, called Insaids. More than 40 percent exceed the recommended dosage and are not concerned about side effects. That�s according to a new study presented at Digestive Disease Week. Yet, some sixteen thousand die each year in the U.S. from bleeding stomach ulcers caused by common medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen � that�s more than from AIDS or Cervical Cancer. Lead investigator doctor Byron Cryer:
"Our study showed that more people have come through with health issues associated with mis-using over-the-counter pain relievers. Unfortunately, we�ve found that 44 percent take more than the recommended dose compared to 26 percent in 1997. There�s no medical test to determine who will experience side effects and there�s usually no warning signs. That�s why it�s imperative to educate consumers about these risks."
Doctor Cryer is Co-Chair of the American Gastroenterological Association�s campaign to help reduce the digestive complications from Insaid medications. For more information, go to the number two � the word "reduce" � dot-org.
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