Anti-inflammatory drugs...side effects

NSAIDs, or non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, are medications commonly used to treat headaches, arthritis, sports injuries, and sometimes allergies.  They are also used to avoid and inhibit blood clots and prevent strokes and heart attacks in patients at high risk.  NSAIDs are products containing ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketoprofen (otherwise known as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, and Orudis) aspirin (Bayer and Excedrin), common cold and flu medications (Advil Cold and Sinus, Dimetapp Sinus, Motrin IB Sinus and Aleve Cold and Sinus).  There are also some newer NSAIDs such as meloxicam (Mobic) and COX-2 inhibitors, such as celecoxib (Celebrex), and valdecoxib (Bextra) and rofecoxib (Vioxx).  Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not an NSAID. 

While NSAIDs reduce pain and swelling, they do not promote soft-tissue healing and may even inhibit bone healing or worsen degenerative joint changes.  They can also cause problems.  One of the most common side effects is stomach and intestinal bleeding and/or ulcers.  At the same time, NSAIDs prevent the body's ability to stop bleeding.  Everyone who takes NSAIDs can be at some risk for developing a stomach problem.  Several factors can increase the risk of developing serious side-effects from the use of NSAIDs: a history of ulcers, regular alcohol consumption, taking several different medications that contain NSAIDs or the prolonged use of NSAIDs, and use by patients over the age of 60.  See your MD if, while taking NSAIDS, you have stomach pain, dark black, tarry, or bloody stools, or vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.

There are other safer alternatives to taking these drugs.  Insufficient sleep, mental stressors, and too much or too little exercise can increase inflammation.  To reduce inflammation in your body and decrease your risk of chronic diseases consider maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  (Shameless advertising plug is next!)  Consider chiropractic care instead of the more risky NSAIDs!  Chiropractors are trained to relieve pain and improve joint function through natural therapies, such as chiropractic manipulation and massage techniques.  Applying heat or cold to the affected area may also be very effective.  Chiropractors are also trained to help you plan an individualized exercise program and give you nutritional advice to avoid inflammation.

A typical American diet contains a large amount of omega-6 fatty acids and too few omega-3 fatty acids which increases inflammatory responses with the body.  More omega-3 fatty acids may be found in leafy vegetables, flaxseed oil, canola oil, oily fish, seafood, seaweed and fish oils.  Reducing inflammatory components in your diet by increasing your intake of low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods, such as lean meat, fish, skinless chicken, vegetables, fruit, and nuts.  Some supplements, such as a multivitamin, magnesium, fish oil, vitamin D and probiotics, can also be beneficial.  If you are taking Warfarin or other blood thinners, talk to your MD/pharmacist (not your chiropractor!) before introducing or increasing consumption of your supplements.