The challenge of drugs and youth sports

5/20/2022

By Dr. Robert Weil

Reprinted with permission from MVP Parent magazine

The link between drugs and sports runs deep! Drugs and sports have been connected for about as long as sports have been played. This includes the whole array of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs both prescribed by doctors and available over the counter.

One of the concerns I’ve always had, especially at the elite and professional level, is that the physical and mental demands of sports all too often are extreme. This often leads to the use of pain meds and anti-inflammatories even in younger athletes to survive. This “routine use” is alarming! The acetaminophens and ibuprofens are too often overused to keep these young athletes “in the game.”

NOT SMART! Parents beware! Youth sports injuries – both acute and chronic – are at epidemic levels. We’ve got to pay real attention!

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