We have had a tremendous amount of feedback and many questions as a result of our recent HealthTip on OTC pain medications, specifically those containing acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol).

We were trying to highlight the fact that these drugs are not innocuous, harmless little pills that have no long-term health consequences. And, since many OTC drugs contain acetaminophen, the likelihood of severe reactions goes up with increased dosage.

It’s time we questioned how much sense it makes to swallow a pill for a problem day after day without finding out the cause of the problem. Covering up a symptom without finding the cause is what Dr. David Simon, MD, of the famous Chopra Center for Well Being

in California refers to as quackery. And, it is making drug companies billions of dollars a year!

Quackery indeed. Some symptoms occur for good reason. For example, the fever that you experience with a cold serves to neutralize the virus that is making you ill. This way, your body’s immune system can attack it and fight it off. Taking a drug to suppress these symptoms can prevent the body from healing itself naturally, as it was designed to do.

Next time ask, "Is this symptom good or bad and what’s causing it?" It’s also important to ask if you have more faith in a pill, powder, potion or lotion or in the power that made the human body.