Good Lifestyle

If you are a warrior of seasonal allergies, you and the local clerk of the pharmacy are probably on a first name. For 50% Americans who take antihistamine drugs, Benadryl is an essential choice. However, experts warn that long -term exposure to drugs could pose physical health risks for the elderly. Here's what we know.

In relation: Doctors warn that the popular med is "the most dangerous over -the -counter medication".

Researchers say that the regular use of Benadryl can weaken mobility and the strength of adhesion.

Washington permanent Kaiser scientists believe that increasing consumption of anticholinergic drugs can reduce the speed of walking and the strength of adhesion in adults over 70 years. The health risk is specifically linked to the medicine of popular Benadryl allergies.

"Although you are the most familiar with the name of Benadryl, it is in fact only one type of medication in a wider group called anticholinergic drug. These drugs work specifically by blocking acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter", " Best life previously reported.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the current symptoms associated with anticholinergic drugs include:

• Urinary retention
• Altered vision
• Confusion
• Dry one's eyes
• Dry mouth
• Increase in heart rate
• High body temperature
• Dilated pupils
• Dry / rinsed skin
• Slowed down digestion
• Vomiting

However, drugs like Benadryl can also spoil mobility and strength, especially in the elderly. A theory on the reason why this happens is linked to this blocked transmitter that we mentioned above, which plays a key role in memory and muscle use. Interference can result in an alteration of movement and flexibility, later resulting in an increased risk of falling, etc.

This was obvious in a new study published in the journal Jama Network Open , which analyzed the measures of the speed of walking and the force of the grip of 4,283 participants (average age of 74), who reported an "cumulative" anticholinergic exposure.

They found that long -term use was correlated with slower walking speeds, and these declines became more visible earlier, compared to their peers which had no long -term anticholinergic exposure. Resistance to employment has not been so seriously impacted, but deterioration was still reported.

“A higher anticholinergic exposure has been associated with an accelerated decline in physical performance, in accordance with a clinically significant decline.

In relation: Doctors warn that common drugs can be linked to the risk of dementia .

Previous studies connect Benadryl to the increase in the risk of dementia.

In addition to the decline of mobility and strength, Benadryl has been linked to long -term cognitive health risks.

A distinct study published in the journal Jama internal medicine studied health data of 3,5000 adults over the age of 64. As part of their research, the authors had access to a decade of prescription and medication of participants.

During a seven -year observation period, nearly 800 adults received a dementia diagnosis. One of the most surprising discoveries was that those who used anticholinergic drugs had a greater probability of cognitive decline.

"This was particularly true for participants who regularly took medication, the team noting that those who took one of the drugs for three years or more were 54% more likely to develop a dementia than participants who only took them for three months or less", as Best life explained previously.

In relation: If you are over 70 years old, this over -the -counter medication could do more harm than good .

So should you stop taking Benadryl?

The seasonal use of Benadryl (as for allergies) may not constitute as much serious threat. However, if you take Benadryl or other anticholinergic drugs all year round, remember to speak with your doctor, especially if you notice changes in your mobility, your grip and your memory.