<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Caution<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marcia J. Wick, The Write Sisters<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>December 2017<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Word Count: 562<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Caution! The revolutionary pill you rely on today comes with a rash of side effects. Many drugs pose only a minor or moderate risk of complication, while others cause adverse reactions that may last longer and require intervention, including hospitalization. Severe or harmful side effects may even prove fatal. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Consider both the benefits and the risks of the drugs you take. Side effects may include: allergic reactions, anemia, angioedema, an asthma attack, back pain, a bladder infection, bleeding (sometimes fatal), blistering, blood in the urine, bloody or black stool, bluish lips or skin, bone or muscle pain, a burning sensation, capillary leaks, changes in eyesight, chills, cloudy urine, cold symptoms, coldness, constipation, or a cough.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And that’s only the A’s, B’s, and C’s!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The D’s warn of decreased appetite, decreased urination, dehydration which may cause kidney problems, diarrhea, difficulty breathing or swallowing, Discoloration of the skin, dry mouth or dry skin. Moving on, we are cautioned against easy bruising, fainting or lightheadedness, a fast heartbeat, fatigue, fever, flushing or redness of the skin, fungi or bacteria that spreads throughout the body, gas, genital yeast infections, harm or death to an unborn baby, headaches, hepatitis B , high cholesterol, high potassium in the blood, hives, and immune reactions including a lupus-like syndrome. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Whew! The I’s further warn against the risk of inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, and injection site reactions such as redness, itching, pain, puffiness or ulceration. Watch out for increased bleeding, bruising, depression, infections, thirst, and urination.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>While treating your illness or disease, tell your doctor if you experience the following: joint pain, ketoacidosis, kidney problems, liver problems, loss of appetite, <span lang=EN style='font-family:Rubik;color:#333333'>loss of skin pigmentation , </span>low blood sugar, a <span lang=EN style='font-family:Rubik;color:#333333'>l</span>ump or swelling in your neck, lymphoma , manic episodes, <span class=tgc><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222'>mental/mood changes</span></span><span lang=EN> </span>, muscle weakness, or nervous system problems such as multiple sclerosis or seizures.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Beware of nausea, nausea, nausea, and pain, pain, pain – pain in the arms and legs, joints, muscles, and stomach, sometimes severe. By the way, “severe” is a modifier that also applies to allergic reactions, diarrhea, and bleeding. Side effects may appear to be “new or worsening,” as in new or worsening heart failure, new or worsening infection, and new or worsening psoriasis.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The list of undesirable or unintended consequences from drug use continues with: pancreatitis, a feeling of pressure, a rash that gets worse in the sun, a ruptured spleen (sometimes fatal), rare cancers in children and adults, redness, scarring, shortness of breath, slowing of your heart rate, sore throat, sores on the skin, stinging, suicidal thoughts, or swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, lower legs, face, eyelids, lips, or tongue – swelling head to toe. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Remember when an aspirin a day kept the doctor away? Today, little pills may cause tightness in the chest, tingling, tiredness, trouble breathing, ulcers or sores in the mouth, upper respiratory tract infections (sinus infections), an upset stomach, vomiting, weakness or dizziness upon standing, weight loss (or gain), welts, or wheezing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The only letters without corresponding side effects on this list are O, Q, X, Y, and Z.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Be advised that many drugs taken to treat a disease, whether inhaled, injected, smoked, consumed in liquid or pill form, or absorbed via a patch, can cause addiction. Consider, in contrast, the side effects and the potential for getting hooked on mindfulness, exercise, a balanced diet, and quality time spent with friends and family.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>