Chiropractic Saves The Party!

 

Make no mistakes, we are not encouraging excessive holiday drinking.  But we recognize that people like to live their lives, have some fun and sometimes things get a little sloppy.  We can often help clean up the mess and even prevent the party from creating too many problems.  We enjoy working within your lives, without having to make dramatic changes to your lifestyle except when absolutely necessary.  Always recommending what’s best but also understanding that life should be fun.

 

 

That said, there are many medications that should not be mixed with alcohol.  During the holiday season people like to drink and they often mix medications with alcohol that can lead to great physical, mental or chemical harm. Many of the conditions that people have to sacrifice the alcohol for are conditions that respond very well to chiropractic, acupuncture, massage or a combination of the three.  We hate to see anyone miss out on a party, so consider “CAM” (chiropractic Acupuncture Massage) when making party plans this winter.  While these specialties don’t always allow for more partying, they may.  So ask your medical doctor if NOT taking your medications puts you at risk.  If you are only taking medications for comfort and not for life support or to manage a potentially life threatening disease, CAM may be the solution to your party spoiler medications.

 

This is a fairly sizable list but worth reading through.  Most people, I experience, don’t know the risks of the medications they are taking. Not knowing the risks and not knowing alternatives could be life threatening.

 

According to Web MD “Hundreds of commonly used prescription and over-the-counter drugs may adversely interact with alcohol.” These include medications used for:

 

Allergies, colds, and flu
Angina and coronary heart disease
Anxiety and epilepsy
Arthritis
Blood clots
Cough
Depression
Diabetes
Enlarged prostate
Heartburn and indigestion
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Infections
Muscle pain
Nausea and motion sickness
Pain, fever, and inflammation
Seizures
Severe pain from injury, post-surgical care, oral surgery, and migraine
Sleep problems (Source: Web MD)

 

Drugs Associated With Alcohol Interactions continued…
Examples of commonly used prescription drugs associated with serious alcohol interactions include heart medications, which can cause rapid heartbeat and sudden changes in blood pressure; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can increase risk of ulcers and stomach bleeding; blood-thinning medications, which can lead to internal bleeding; and sleep medications, which can lead to impaired breathing, motor control, and unusual behavior.

One of the most common causes of severe liver damage — including some cases requiring a liver transplant — is a combination of the pain reliever acetaminophen (available over the counter as Tylenol and in some prescription drugs) and alcohol. Other serious alcohol interactions are associated with over-the-counter antihistamines and herbal remedies such as kava kava, St. John’s wort, chamomile, valerian, and lavender. (Source: Web MD)

 

The NIH has also compiled incomplete but large lists of medications that interact with alcohol.  Below are some of the medications and the conditions that they are used for.  It is important to note that chiropractic, acupuncture or massage therapy all help these conditions and may reduce the need for medications.  If you aren’t taking these meds, you may be able to more safely drink alcohol during the holidays.

 

Arthritis

The following is a list of arthritis medications that interact with alcohol and may lead to ulcers, stomach bleeding or liver damage.  Both chiropractic and acupuncture have been shown to help with arthritis pain and stiffness.

 

Celebrex®
Celecoxib
Naprosyn®
Naproxen
Voltaren®
Diclofenac

 

 

Muscle Pain

Medications for muscle pain are listed below.  Muscle pain is known to respond very well to chiropractic care, acupuncture and of course massage. Drinking alcohol and taking the meds listed below can lead to drowsiness, dizziness; increased risk of seizures; increased risk for overdose; slowed or difficulty breathing; impaired motor control; unusual behavior; memory problems.
Flexeril®
Cyclobenzaprine
Soma®
Carisoprodol

 

Nausea

Acupuncture has long been accepted as an effective form of treatment and help for nausea.  The following medications for nausea interact with alcohol and may lead to Drowsiness, dizziness; increased risk for overdose.

Antivert®
Meclizine
Dramamine®
Dimenhydrinate
Phenergan®
Promethazine

 

Pain

Chiropractic, acupuncture and massage therapy have long been known to help or eradicate many types of pain.  The most common pain during the holidays is bound to be headache or back pain, both of which respond well to the aforementioned specialties.

 

Many people take medications, some over the counter for muscle ache, minor arthritis pain, fever, inflammation, back and headache pain. These medications when combined with alcohol may lead to stomach upset, bleeding and ulcers; liver damage (acetaminophen); rapid heartbeat, Drowsiness, dizziness; increased risk for overdose; slowed or difficulty breathing; impaired motor control; unusual behavior; memory problems.

Advil®
Ibuprofen
Aleve®
Naproxen
Excedrin®
Aspirin, Acetaminophen
Motrin®
Ibuprofen
Tylenol®
Acetaminophen

Darvocet–N®
Propoxyphene
Demerol®
Merepidine
Fiorinal® with codeine
Butalbital + codeine
Percocet®
Oxycodone
Vicodin®
Hydrocodone

 

This list is not a complete list, it does not include ingredients and it should be known that there are other medications that should not be combined with alcohol.  This is a partial list with partial information.  Please contact your prescribing physician with questions regarding your medications and possible interactions. Dr. Lou Jacobs and Jacobs Chiropractic Acupuncture are not suggesting that chiropractic care will allow you to drink more, drink more safely, or avoid the risks that drinking alcohol inherently involves.  

 

 

 

**Dr. Lou is a chiropractor but he’s also a human being who understands life. People party.  It’s ok.  Understanding this reality and helping people have fun while being safe is part of his mission as a healthcare provider.