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As a chiropractor, I am asked on a regular basis if I recommend the use of many different non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) products. My answer is simple, moderation is always the key. It is
unfortunate that we have become a culture that reaches for a bottle of aspirin or some other chemical
solution before seeking safer alternatives such as supplementation, therapy, or chiropractic.
When they suffer from tremendous pain and difficulty performing basic tasks like driving, cleaning the
house and putting on their clothes, it is not hard to see why they seek a quick chemical solution for their
physical problems. The pain associated with just getting through the day often leads people to overuse
these drugs.
This misuse stems from the fact that people suffering from arthritic and joint pain do not realize there
are natural alternatives that may help them relieve this pain. Their aches and pains are unbearable
during the colder months when the most mundane things such as standing up, sitting down, and
climbing up the stairs are very difficult to do. Although these medications provide temporary relief from
pain, they can actually cause more harm than good.
anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) products. My answer is simple, moderation is always the key. It is
unfortunate that we have become a culture that reaches for a bottle of aspirin or some other chemical
solution before seeking safer alternatives such as supplementation, therapy, or chiropractic.
When they suffer from tremendous pain and difficulty performing basic tasks like driving, cleaning the
house and putting on their clothes, it is not hard to see why they seek a quick chemical solution for their
physical problems. The pain associated with just getting through the day often leads people to overuse
these drugs.
This misuse stems from the fact that people suffering from arthritic and joint pain do not realize there
are natural alternatives that may help them relieve this pain. Their aches and pains are unbearable
during the colder months when the most mundane things such as standing up, sitting down, and
climbing up the stairs are very difficult to do. Although these medications provide temporary relief from
pain, they can actually cause more harm than good.
| If you want to learn more about the benefits and dangers caused by NSAIDs, read on. |
Could You Imagine If Everything You Did Caused Excruciating Pain?
The following page is meant to be educational in nature and is in no way meant to treat or diagnose any
condition. If you have questions after reading this information, consult with your medical doctor to make
sure NSAID use is right for you and/or your loved one.
To get to the point, NSAID use is very high. Everyday more than 36 million people take over-the-counter
and prescription NSAIDs for pain relief, headaches and arthritis, with nearly 25 percent exceeding the
recommended dosage, according to a study supported by the American Gastroenterological
Association. Each year, the side effects of long-term NSAID use cause nearly 103,000 hospitalizations
and 16,500 deaths by some estimates. According to an article released by the Science Daily in 2005,
the mortality rate from NSAID complications is higher than that of serious diseases like cervical cancer
and AIDS.
Many patients who use NSAIDs to treat and ease pain from arthritis find it ironic that these drugs actually
cause arthritis to become more severe. According to Dr. James Braly, an allergy specialist in Florida,
NSAIDs can accelerate the deterioration of the joints. Thus, prolonged use of ibuprofen, naproxen, and
other NSAIDs can turn your ordinary case of arthritis into a more complicated one.
As the directions on most bottles of such products clearly warn, NSAIDs are available over the counter
for only one purpose: to be used for ten days or less for temporary relief. While long-term use
occasionally may be justified under strict medical supervision, many people self-medicate with NSAIDs
for extended periods.
It is quite probable that you have at least one friend, co-worker or relative who has been taking NSAIDs
on a weekly (or even a daily) basis for months or years at a time. The chances are good that this risky
overuse is for relief from back pain, neck pain or headaches.
The following page is meant to be educational in nature and is in no way meant to treat or diagnose any
condition. If you have questions after reading this information, consult with your medical doctor to make
sure NSAID use is right for you and/or your loved one.
To get to the point, NSAID use is very high. Everyday more than 36 million people take over-the-counter
and prescription NSAIDs for pain relief, headaches and arthritis, with nearly 25 percent exceeding the
recommended dosage, according to a study supported by the American Gastroenterological
Association. Each year, the side effects of long-term NSAID use cause nearly 103,000 hospitalizations
and 16,500 deaths by some estimates. According to an article released by the Science Daily in 2005,
the mortality rate from NSAID complications is higher than that of serious diseases like cervical cancer
and AIDS.
Many patients who use NSAIDs to treat and ease pain from arthritis find it ironic that these drugs actually
cause arthritis to become more severe. According to Dr. James Braly, an allergy specialist in Florida,
NSAIDs can accelerate the deterioration of the joints. Thus, prolonged use of ibuprofen, naproxen, and
other NSAIDs can turn your ordinary case of arthritis into a more complicated one.
As the directions on most bottles of such products clearly warn, NSAIDs are available over the counter
for only one purpose: to be used for ten days or less for temporary relief. While long-term use
occasionally may be justified under strict medical supervision, many people self-medicate with NSAIDs
for extended periods.
It is quite probable that you have at least one friend, co-worker or relative who has been taking NSAIDs
on a weekly (or even a daily) basis for months or years at a time. The chances are good that this risky
overuse is for relief from back pain, neck pain or headaches.
Some Health Benefits Associated with Aspirin and NSAIDs
The main benefit recognized early on for aspirin was the relief of pain and the reduction in fever. Other
important health benefits from aspirin have also come to be recognized. One of the more important of
these is the use of aspirin in helping to prevent heart attack and perhaps stoke. The benefit stems from
aspirin’s role as a platelet inhibitor. Studies have shown that these benefits can be obtained with a
relatively small daily dose of aspirin. NSAIDS were found to have an additional benefit of reducing
inflammation, and so helped alleviate not only the symptom of pain, but also served to reduce the actual
cause of the pain, for example, reducing joint inflammation in arthritis.
The main benefit recognized early on for aspirin was the relief of pain and the reduction in fever. Other
important health benefits from aspirin have also come to be recognized. One of the more important of
these is the use of aspirin in helping to prevent heart attack and perhaps stoke. The benefit stems from
aspirin’s role as a platelet inhibitor. Studies have shown that these benefits can be obtained with a
relatively small daily dose of aspirin. NSAIDS were found to have an additional benefit of reducing
inflammation, and so helped alleviate not only the symptom of pain, but also served to reduce the actual
cause of the pain, for example, reducing joint inflammation in arthritis.
Balancing Pain Relief And Concerns With Side Effects
Adverse side effects can accompany the benefits in a portion of patients taking any medication. No
drugs escape the need for this kind of risk-benefit evaluation. It has become necessary to balance the
benefits of analgesia, platelet inhibition, and anti-inflammatory effect from NSAIDs and aspirin against
potential adverse effects on the stomach and digestive system. For patients who are dependent on
regular use of pain relievers, this can mean determining whether there are alternate ways to achieve
pain relief, without risking ulcers or GI bleeding which may accompany regular use of aspirin and
NSAIDs.
In this regard, aspirin and NSAIDs have been found to cause damage to the lining (or mucosa) of the
digestive tract primarily in the stomach and upper intestine. This damage can result in an ulcer or
intestinal bleeding. Although this can happen to an individual who is an infrequent user of aspirin or
NSAIDs, it is of a much greater concern in frequent users, and those consuming higher dosages of
these medications.
Adverse side effects can accompany the benefits in a portion of patients taking any medication. No
drugs escape the need for this kind of risk-benefit evaluation. It has become necessary to balance the
benefits of analgesia, platelet inhibition, and anti-inflammatory effect from NSAIDs and aspirin against
potential adverse effects on the stomach and digestive system. For patients who are dependent on
regular use of pain relievers, this can mean determining whether there are alternate ways to achieve
pain relief, without risking ulcers or GI bleeding which may accompany regular use of aspirin and
NSAIDs.
In this regard, aspirin and NSAIDs have been found to cause damage to the lining (or mucosa) of the
digestive tract primarily in the stomach and upper intestine. This damage can result in an ulcer or
intestinal bleeding. Although this can happen to an individual who is an infrequent user of aspirin or
NSAIDs, it is of a much greater concern in frequent users, and those consuming higher dosages of
these medications.
Magnitude Of NSAID Use
Adverse effects associated with NSAIDs become more likely as the cumulative amount of NSAID
increases, relating both to the size of each dose you take, as well as how frequently–how many times a
day, how many days a week–you consume NSAIDs. The most important ground rule, however, is to
follow the instructions on your medication. No medication–whether a prescription or over-the-counter
drug–should be taken more frequently than is directed in the labeling.
Adverse effects associated with NSAIDs become more likely as the cumulative amount of NSAID
increases, relating both to the size of each dose you take, as well as how frequently–how many times a
day, how many days a week–you consume NSAIDs. The most important ground rule, however, is to
follow the instructions on your medication. No medication–whether a prescription or over-the-counter
drug–should be taken more frequently than is directed in the labeling.
In Conclusion
Given the damage wrought by the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, it is astounding how
large an audience they have captured. Documented side effects to the gastrointestinal tract, liver,
kidneys, central nervous system, endocrine system, and articular cartilage should strike a note of
warning to all. Yet, NSAIDs are the most frequently prescribed medications worldwide.
There are many known serious side effects associated with NSAIDs. We know that all drugs carry
some risk of side effects, but how serious the side effects are is still unknown. This needs to be taken
into consideration when deciding to use pharmaceuticals, either over the counter or by prescription.
Again this information is for educational purposes and is in no way meant to treat or diagnose any
condition. You should always consult with your medical doctor when making the decisions to utilize
NSAIDs.
Given the damage wrought by the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, it is astounding how
large an audience they have captured. Documented side effects to the gastrointestinal tract, liver,
kidneys, central nervous system, endocrine system, and articular cartilage should strike a note of
warning to all. Yet, NSAIDs are the most frequently prescribed medications worldwide.
There are many known serious side effects associated with NSAIDs. We know that all drugs carry
some risk of side effects, but how serious the side effects are is still unknown. This needs to be taken
into consideration when deciding to use pharmaceuticals, either over the counter or by prescription.
Again this information is for educational purposes and is in no way meant to treat or diagnose any
condition. You should always consult with your medical doctor when making the decisions to utilize
NSAIDs.
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| COPYRIGHT, 2005-2010 WALTON CS-XII, P.C. DBA MAY CHIROPRACTIC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE DUPLICATED, PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN, USED, OR DISTRIBUTED, WITHOUT EXPRESSED WRITTEN CONSENT FROM WALTON CS-XII, P.C. DBA MAY CHIROPRACTIC AND THE STIMULUS GROUP LLC. |
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