I’ve mentioned in a previous blog post a theory proposing that pharmaceutically suppressing the symptoms of illness can sometimes drive the process deeper.
A new study shows that acetominophen (best known by the brand name Tylenol) use in infancy (generally to suppress fevers) is associated with an increase in asthma as the infants grow older.
This is consistent with the theory. Skin problems or fevers are often the first manifestation of illness. When suppressed with medication, allergies may be the next step. Asthma, which may be seen as a deeper elaboration of the same process, follows later.
It’s always important to identify theory as theory, rather than confuse it with proven fact. Nonetheless, the two studies to which I’ve linked in this post appear to be part of a pattern.
