Healthy strategies for painkiller and sedative use

Painkillers and sedatives can be beneficial when taken for legitimate health problems, but long-term use can cause more problems than it solves. Here are some strategies to make sure the pills don't become the problem instead of the solution.

Can I undo it? Yes. New pain-relief strategies can ease muscle, joint, and head pain with fewer pills and fewer side effects. Kicking the sedative and prescription pain pill habit is possible with commitment and support. Once the pill-taking has ceased, your body will quickly rebound from their effects.

Save ibuprofen for flare-ups of severe, short-term pain. It's generally safe to take for up to 10 days, but no more.

Switch to acetaminophen for chronic pain. It doesn't cause stomach irritation and, in studies, didn't raise blood pressure the way stronger painkillers do.

For arthritis pain, strategies could include weight loss, gentle exercise, acupressure and adding more omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. For back pain, exercise and stress relief are tops. For headaches, avoid triggers such as certain foods, drinks and situations.

Take the right dose of all prescription drugs. If you're not sure, call your doctor or pharmacist.

Many headache-prone people have migraines, which can be stopped quickly with the right medication. For frequent headaches, see your doctor about a migraine-stopping drug.

If you must take ibuprofen on a regular basis, protect your stomach. Guard against bleeding and ulcers by taking a drug called a proton-pump inhibitor, which blocks the production of irritating stomach acid.

There are clues that you're taking too much of a tranquilizer, or have taken it for too long. These include memory loss or forgetfulness, excessive sleepiness, feeling emotionally numb or unresponsive and frequent falls or stumbling.

Get help if you can't stop taking a pain reliever or tranquilizer. There's no shame in asking for assistance from family members, friends or your doctor.

Challenge your doctor any time they want to put you on painkillers, depressants or sedatives for a prolonged period.

Following these strategies may cut your risk for heart and high blood pressure problems as well as gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding. You'll be more alert — and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you've beaten a drug dependency.