DMSO, also known as dimethyl sulfoxide, is a product produced from wood during papermaking. The solvent has proved to be useful for its medicinal purposes. It is officially recognized as a prescription medicine used to treat headaches and as an anti-inflammatory agent.
The solvent has numerous purposes within medical science. Many doctors prescribe it to treat bladder pain. It is still under research to find out other benefits of DMSO. Many people do not know fully what is DMSO.
Because of its highly absorbent properties, the solvent is used to speed up the absorption of other medicines. However, the full potential of the compound is still unknown and hence is in constant investigation.
It is widely used
DMSO can be beneficial as a pain killer for people with osteoarthritis and used in cancer treatment. So far, it has been helpful with headaches, arthritis, eye irritation, scar recovery. The effectiveness is unknown; however, it is officially recognized as a medicine.
However, many types of research show that the effectiveness of DMSO against cancer is only superficial. Other researches showed that DMSO is nothing but a placebo when it comes to osteoarthritis. The pain-relieving aspect of the substance is false.
Risks
Industrial grade DMSO can have multiple implications on the human body. The absorption of DMSO into the skin can cause serious health concerns. Industrial level DMSO can contain many impurities and therefore is injurious to health.
People who have used DMSO on a regular basis have reported many side effects of the substance. These range from stomach aches, headaches, and itching to possible allergic reactions. When DMSO high concentration of DMSO is consumed orally, it can have far serious implications.
Oral consumption has caused people to experience dizziness, severe nausea, and vomiting. In addition, the substance can severely affect the bowel system of people with diarrhea and loss of appetite. As an accelerant of other medicines, DMSO can negatively affect blood thinners and sedatives.
If DMSO is applied to the skin, it will help any substance to be absorbed efficiently. That is why, whenever DMSO touches the skin, that part should be leaned as soon as possible.
People with conditions
People who have a health condition such as asthma or diabetes should not use DMSO without first consulting a doctor. In addition, women who are expecting or are breastfeeding should not use DMSO as there is insufficient research on its effects on infants.
People with conditions that require blood thinners or other such medicines should completely avoid DMSO. Given that there is a huge irregularity in industrial-grade DMSO, the supplement can have great consequences.
People who have kidney or liver conditions should avoid using DMSO as it can prove to be fatal if wrongfully consumed. In addition, DMSO as a supplement is not being regulated by drug control authorities, unlike medicines.
Conclusion
Although DMSO has shown effectiveness as an anti-inflammatory, it is surely not recommended as such. Furthermore, the quality control on DMSO is very little, along with research, which can lead to severe implications.