How Nsaids Affect Your Gastrointestinal System
NSAID medications work by decreasing the production of chemicals called prostaglandins, which contribute to pain and inflammation in the body. Most NSAIDs do this by blocking COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, which are used to make prostaglandins.
However, prostaglandins also have positive effects on the body, so blocking COX enzymes can have unwanted effects. COX-1 plays an important role in protecting the lining of the stomach. Taking NSAIDs that block COX-1 can lead to GI side effects such as abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea. In extreme cases, patients may develop ulcers and life-threatening internal bleeding.
There is currently one NSAID approved in the U.S. Celebrex that blocks only COX-2. The incidence of GI side effects is lower compared to other NSAIDs, Dr. Bhana says. However, Celebrex is more expensive, and it may have more cardiovascular side effects than other NSAIDs.
So are there any NSAIDs that block COX-1 and COX-2 that are milder on the stomach than others? Studies have found that ibuprofen and meloxicam may be less likely to bother your stomach, while ketorolac, aspirin, and indomethacin are associated with a higher risk of GI problems. Read more about how to pick the right NSAID for your needs here.
That said, the specific NSAID you take isnt the most important concern, Dr. Bhana says: Excluding Celebrex, the dosage and frequency are of more concern than the particular NSAID used.
Needless to say, she no longer takes NSAIDs.
I Asked My Husband To Take Me To The Emergency Room Because The Pain Was So Bad That I Felt Like I Was Being Stabbed
For many arthritis patients, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can play a big role in relieving pain and inflammation and improving quality of life. But like any medication, NSAIDs arent risk-free. Perhaps their most commonly known and potentially dangerous side effect is irritation of the stomach lining, which protects the stomach from the acid it produces to help digest your food.
Over-the counter and prescription NSAIDs are generally well-tolerated when used as instructed, says Suleman Bhana, MD, FACR, a rheumatologist at Crystal Run Healthcare in Middletown, New York. That said, nearly all NSAIDs can cause GI side effects, so ideally patients should take the lowest possible tolerable dose as infrequently as possible.
Below, Dr. Bhana explains why these gastrointestinal side effects from NSAIDs occur, whos at the greatest risk of developing them, and what you can do to protect yourself.
Gastric Bypass And Ibuprofen
Bariatric surgery is a significant event in your weight loss journey. This is not an easy decision because it requires months of hard work and dedication to have optimal health before surgery is authorized. Your struggle with obesity is personal and is a lifelong chronic disease that is not cured through weight loss surgery. No amount of dieting, medications, or weight loss surgery can cure your obesity only through hard work and dedication to your health can your obesity be put into remission.
To promote a healthy life after bariatric surgery, there are many health requirements your physicians recommend you follow to ensure you have optimal healing after surgery. One primary requirement after surgery is to stop taking any Aspirin-like medications to reduce pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs significantly irritate the stomach and can cause severe health issues that typically result in an ulcer.
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Does Ibuprofen Increase Stroke Risk
If youre wondering, Does Ibuprofen increase stroke risk? your answer will depend on a few different health factors. In a recent study published by Medical News Today, ibuprofen increased the risk of stroke by more than three times. Your ibuprofen and stroke risk increases if you have any of the following conditions:
- Personal or family history of stroke or heart attack.
- Clotting disorders such as hemophilia, anemia, etc.
- Medications that negatively affect your bloods ability to clot normally.
- Uterine fibroids or adenomyosis which can cause heavy periods leading to anemia.
The dangers of ibuprofen are still considered to be rare for most people who are not at risk. Consult your physician before taking ibuprofen for menstrual cramps so you can determine the correct dosage and frequency.
Ibuprofen May Cause Side Effects Tell Your Doctor If Any Of These Symptoms Are Severe Or Do Not Go Away:
- constipation
- confusion
- aggression
Ibuprofen may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
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Caring For Your Abdominal Pain
If the practitioner has given you pain relief, take this as advised. You should take simple pain relief regularly, eg paracetamol. You can take up to 8 paracetamol tablets in a single 24 hour period.
It is often best to avoid using anti-inflammatory medication e.g. ibuprofen, unless instructed to do so by the practitioner looking after you.
Medication Changes After Surgery
Your prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs are absorbed differently after your bariatric surgery because of the changes to your stomach and overall digestion system. Immediately after surgery, you will have to take smaller capsules because larger pills can become stuck. You may be required to take crushed, liquid, chewable, sublingual, or injectable pill forms after surgery. Your surgeon will need to explain how certain medications need to be taken for the best outcome.
A healthy amount of fruits and vegetables is essential to your overall health and wellness.
Your medications have a higher likelihood of needing to change after surgery, but this is not absolute. Your doses may change or decrease as your obesity-related conditions improve. An example is a diabetic bariatric patient will need less insulin or other diabetic medications after surgery because their glucose control has improved significantly after surgery.
Other improvements to your medications are lowering your doses of high blood pressure medication or cholesterol medication due to improved health after surgery.
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Taking Ibuprofen Every Day Could Lead To A Heart Attack
Ibuprofen may seen like an easy fix for aches and pains however, if you take too much of it for too long, you might find yourself in pain with a devastating cardiac event.
The thought of having a heart attack is definitely scary. Fortunately, however, your risk of having one isn’t all that high when you’re young and healthy. That said, if you take ibuprofen every day, you could still have a heart attack even if you’re constantly looking for ways to make your heart healthier. According to Mayo Clinic, if you have cardiovascular disease , taking NSAIDs every day could greatly increase your chances of suffering a heart attack. However, as Rekha Mankad explained on Mayo Clinic’s website, “Although aspirin is a type of NSAID, it doesn’t appear to be associated with a higher risk of heart attack or stroke.”
If you have been taking Advil or Motrin regularly and start to notice chest pains or shortness of breath, you might want to switch to aspirin or talk to your doctor about alternative painkillers.
Research On The Prevention Of Peptic Ulcers
A group of researchers from the an international network of researchers wanted to find out which medications can prevent the development of peptic ulcers. To do so, they looked for studies where NSAIDs were combined with PPIs, H2 blockers or misoprostol. The researchers found 41 suitable studies with a total of more than 21,000 participants.
The people in the studies were mainly men and women who had osteoarthritis or a rheumatic disease. All of them took one or several NSAIDs for at least three weeks and had a fairly high risk of getting a peptic ulcer. A number of the studies compared proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers or misoprostol with a placebo or with each other. The participants were observed for up to one year. Regardless of whether they had symptoms, in almost all of the studies the participants had a gastroscopy to see whether they had an ulcer in their stomach or duodenum.
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Taking Ibuprofen For Menstrual Cramps
Its that time of the month again, your period cramps have been acting up when youre at an important meeting at work, exercising at the gym, and going out to dinner with friends. Thankfully, as soon as you pop an Ibuprofenor twoor three, you feel better and are able to do the things you love. The minute you forget to take one, youre weighed down by the fatigue and pain that comes with your monthly cycle.
Although, have you ever stopped and thought about how the short and long-term effects of ibuprofen could be affecting your health? Even though ibuprofen is considered a relatively safe medication you can use to manage painful periods, every drug has a few side effects you should be aware of.
Ibuprofen And Ulcer Risk
Understanding how NSAIDs work can help reduce your worry about ibuprofen and ulcer risks. Peptic ulcers are the most commonly associated issue when taking ibuprofen for menstrual cramps over a long period of time. If youre taking high doses of ibuprofen to manage period pain or chronic conditions like arthritis or other inflammatory diseases, your ibuprofen and ulcer risk may increase.
The reason taking ibuprofen for menstrual cramps or other chronic pain issues can cause ulcers is NSAIDs interfere with the stomachs ability to protect itself from gastric acids. These protective layers in your stomach, esophagus, and intestines are extremely important for digestion, but can be eaten away over time from extended ibuprofen use.
So, does this mean you should avoid NSAIDs just because of an ibuprofen and ulcer risk? Not exactly. Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take to protect your stomach and intestines lining, such as:
- Ask your doctor about medications that can protect the lining.
- Eat a large meal before taking ibuprofen.
- Limit alcohol intake.
- Reduce the amount you take or switch to an NSAID like naproxen you can take less.
Its important to always consult your doctor before taking ibuprofen for period cramps so you can learn more about additional preventative measures.
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Side Effects Of Meloxicam
As youd expect with all medication, there are potential side effects with use. You must speak to your doctor before taking the drug to ensure its right for you. If you experience any of the following side effects, you must stop using meloxicam and call your doctor right away. The possible side effects of meloxicam use include the following:
- Shortness of breath
- Any type of skin rash
- Rapid weight gain
- Coughing up blood or vomit with the consistency of coffee grounds
- Exhaustion
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes, known as jaundice
- Unusually cold hands or feet
- Feeling lightheaded
Proton Pump Inhibitors Lower The Risk Of Peptic Ulcers
The proton pump inhibitors used in the studies were lansoprazole , omeprazole and pantoprazole . The studies lasted up to six months. They showed that, compared to a placebo, all of these proton pump inhibitors clearly lowered the risk of getting peptic ulcers:
- Without a proton pump inhibitor, 36 out of 100 people developed an ulcer.
- With a proton pump inhibitor, 14 out of 100 people developed a peptic ulcer.
In other words: Proton pump inhibitors prevented the development of NSAID-related peptic ulcers in 22 out of 100 people.
Proton pump inhibitors may cause headaches, diarrhea, constipation and stomach pain. Only a few people in the studies stopped their treatment early due to side effects.
But it’s not clear whether the long-term use of proton pump inhibitors is safe. It has been observed that hip fractures, spinal fractures and wrist fractures are more common in people over the age of 50 who have taken PPIs in a high dose or for longer than a year.
It is also thought that the long-term use of PPIs might increase the risk of intestinal infections and pulmonary infections or nephritis .
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Symptoms Of Serious Stomach Issues
The symptoms of stomach problems after taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, can vary from person to person. Some symptoms can be signs of something more serious like stomach bleeding or ulcers, so it important to recognise the symptoms of these serious stomach problems yourself:
- Extreme abdominal pain
- Vomiting blood or a dark substance
If you experience any of these symptoms, consult with your GP or pharmacist immediately.
Why Tylenol Can Be A Better Option:
- #1 Doctor Recommended Pain Relief brand for those with stomach problems.
- TYLENOL® will not upset the stomach the way naproxen sodium , or even Ibuprofen can.
- TYLENOL® can help relieve your pain while being gentle on your stomach.
- TYLENOL® can be taken on an empty stomach.
- TYLENOL® may be a safe over the counter pain reliever for those with a history of stomach bleeding, stomach ulcers, or stomach problems such as heartburn.
- TYLENOL® is not an NSAID. NSAIDs can cause stomach ulcers and an increased risk of severe stomach bleeding.
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Your Stomach Will Start To Hurt If You Take Ibuprofen Every Day
If you take ibuprofen every day, you just might find yourself doubled over with a tummy-ache.
One of the most common side effects that come from taking ibuprofen every day is stomach pain. And if you’re taking the pills daily on an empty stomach, you better believe your body won’t be thanking you for that. As noted by Everyday Health, as many as 50 percent of people who have tried ibuprofen for their aches and pains are unable to rely on the medication due to the abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other tummy troubles it causes them. So, if you’ve been popping ibuprofen like candy for a while, you might want to rethink that decision moving forward.
According to the Advil website, the NSAID can also cause “severe stomach bleeding,” which would call for a trip to the emergency room. Of course, if you’ve noticed slight discomfort after taking ibuprofen without food, it might help to eat a little something with the medication. However, if ibuprofen causes stomach pain even when taken with food, you should probably talk to your doctor about alternative medications, or scientifically proven natural remedies.
Briefly The Dangers Of Ibuprofen Use
It is estimated that one in five long-term Ibuprofen users will develop gastrointestinal difficulties directly resulting from Ibuprofen use. As one PubMed study says,
The major adverse reactions include the affects on the gastrointestinal tract , the kidney and the coagulation systemIt has been estimated that 1 in 5 chronic users of NSAIDs will develop gastric damage which can be silent.
How does gut damage occur? Briefly, Ibuprofen reduces DAO levels, an enzyme that helps to break down and clear histamines. Elevated levels of histamine in the gut increases zonulin, which is the protein that breaks apart the epithelial cells that line the gut. Thus Ibuprofen causes leaky gut and allows food particles into our blood stream, causing food sensitivities and autoimmunity.
Other dangers include:
- Increased bleeding after an injury, as NSAIDs reduce the bloods ability to clot.
- Ulcers of the stomach or intestine.
- Impaired kidney function, kidney disease and lithium toxicity.
- Increased risk of heart attacks, stroke and heart failure.
- High blood pressure.
- Fluid retention.
Using the lowest possible dose of Ibuprofen reduces the risks associated with Ibuprofen use. More frequent use and higher doses of Ibuprofen increase risk factors.
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Who Can Take Ibuprofen
Some people should avoid using ibuprofen and others should use it with caution. If you have any queries about using ibuprofen or any other medicines, speak to your GP or pharmacist, or phone the NHS 24 111 service.
You shouldn’t take ibuprofen if you:
- have a history of a strong, unpleasant reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs
- have a current or recent stomach ulcer, or you have had one in the past
Are There Any Natural Pain Relievers I Can Take Instead
Gates: One option is capsaicin. Its an ingredient found in hot peppers that makes them, well, spicy hot. When put into topical gels and applied to the skin, capsaicin is thought to decrease the intensity of pain signals over time.
You can apply capsaicin gels up to 4 times a day. Just be sure to wash your hands after. You dont want hot pepper chemicals burning your eyes.
For arthritis pain, some people take supplements that contain glucosamine, chondroitin or MSM. They may be helpful, but theyre not for everyone. Glucosamine can cause an allergic reaction if you have a shellfish allergy. And theres some concern that chondroitin could cause issues for those taking a blood thinner.
As always, its best to discuss any natural products or supplements with a doctor before trying them.
You dont have to live in pain. If you have a medical condition or are on medications that make taking NSAIDs risky, know that you have options. Talk to your doctor about safe and effective ways to curb pain and help you get back to doing what you love most.
What we love most? Saving you up to 80% on your prescriptions. Heres how.
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Interactions With Medicines Food And Alcohol
Ibuprofen can react unpredictably with certain other medicines. This can affect how well either medicine works and increase the risk of side effects.
Check the leaflet that comes with your medicine to see if it can be taken with ibuprofen. Ask your GP or local pharmacist if you’re not sure.
As ibuprofen is a type of NSAID, you shouldn’t take more than one of these at a time or you’ll have an increased risk of side effects.
NSAIDs can also interact with many other medicines, including:
- some types of antidepressants used to treat depression
Read more about medicines that interact with NSAIDs.
Ibuprofen can also interact with ginkgo biloba, a controversial dietary supplement some people claim can treat memory problems and dementia.
There are no known problems caused by taking ibuprofen with any specific foods or by drinking a moderate amount of alcohol.
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