NSAIDs Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Ginger Powder as a Pain-Killer?

AHA Publisher — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 07:00:32 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – There have been at least eight randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of ginger for pain. You may recall that I’ve previously explored the use of spinach for athletic performance and recovery, attributed to its “anti-inflammatory effects.” Most athletes aren’t using spinach to beat back inflammation, though; they use drugs, typically non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, which is used by up to 95 percent of collegiate athletes and three quarters of kids playing high school football. They aren’t only using it for inflammation, though, but also prophylactically “prior to athletic participation to prevent pain and inflammation before it occurs. However, scientific evidence for this approach is currently lacking, and athletes should be aware of the potential risks in using NSAIDs as a prophylactic agent,” which include gastrointestinal pain and bleeding, kidney damage, and liver damage. There was one study in particular that freaked everyone out: A study of thousands of marathon runners found that those taking over-the-counter pain killers before the race had five times the incidence of organ damage. Nine were hospitalized—three with kidney failure after taking ibuprofen, four with gastrointestinal bleeding after taking aspirin, and two with heart attacks, also after aspirin ingestion. In contrast, none of the control group ended up in the hospital. No pain killers, no hospital. What’s more, the analgesics didn’t even work. “Analysis of the pain reported by respondents before and after racing showed no major identifiable advantages” to taking the drugs, so it appeared there were just downsides. What about using ginger instead? That’s the subject of my video Ground Ginger to Reduce Muscle Pain. In that marathon study, as you can see below and at 1:33 in my video, the most common adverse effect of taking the drugs was gastrointestinal cramping. Ginger, in contrast to aspirin or ibuprofen-type drugs, may actually improve gastrointestinal function. For example, endurance athletes can suffer from nausea, and ginger is prized for its anti-nausea properties. Okay, but does it work for muscle pain? There have been at least eight randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of ginger for pain—for everything from osteoarthritis to irritable bowel to painful periods. I’ve made videos about all of those, as well as its use for migraine headaches. Overall, ginger extracts, like the powdered ginger spice you’d get at any grocery store, were found to be “clinically effective” pain-reducing agents with “a better safety profile than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.” As you can see below and at 2:22 in my video, the ginger worked better in some of the studies than in others, which is “likely to be at least partly due to the strong dose-effect relationship that [was] identified and the wide range of doses used among the studies under analysis (60-2000 mg of extract/day).” In terms of reduction of pain, as you can see below and at 2:32 in my video, the best results were achieved with one and a half or two grams a day, which is a full teaspoon of ground ginger. The drugs work by suppressing an enzyme in the body called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which triggers inflammation. The problem is that they also suppress cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), which does good things like protect the lining of your stomach and intestines. “Since inhibition of COX-1 is associated with gastrointestinal irritation, selective inhibition of COX-2”—the inflammatory enzyme—“should help minimize this side effect” and offer the best of both worlds. And, that’s what ginger seems to do. As you can see below and at 3:11 in my video, two ginger compounds had no effect against COX-1, the “good” enzyme, but could dramatically cut down on COX-2, the pro-inflammatory one. Okay, but does ginger work for muscle pain? Not acutely, apparently. You can’t just take it like a drug. When folks were given a teaspoon of ginger before a bout of cycling, there was no difference in leg muscle pain over the 30 minutes, as you can see below and at 3:34 in my video. “However, ginger may attenuate the day-to-day progression of muscle pain.” Taking ginger five days in a row appears to “accelerate the recovery of maximal strength following a high-load…[weight-lifting] exercise protocol.” When you put all the studies together, it seems “a single dose of ginger has little-to-no discernable effects on muscle pain,” but if you take a teaspoon or two for a couple days or weeks, perhaps in a pumpkin smoothie or something, you may be able to reduce muscle pain and soreness, and “accelerate recovery of muscular strength…” Is fresh ginger preferable to powdered? Maybe not. As you can see below and at 4:12 in my video, there are all sorts of compounds in ginger with creative names as gingerols, gingerdiols, and gingerdiones, but the most potent anti-inflammatory component may be compound called shogaols. Interestingly, dried ginger contains more than fresh, which “justifies the uses of dry ginger in traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of various illnesses due to oxidative stress and inflammation.” In that case, why not just give the extracted shogaol component in a pill by itself? As you can see below and at 4:41 in my video, each of the active ginger components individually reduce inflammation, some more than others, but the whole ginger is greater than the sum of its parts. However, you can boost shogaol content of whole ginger by drying it, as they are the major gingerol dehydration products. Indeed, they’re created when ginger is dried. Heating ginger may increase shogaol concentration even more, so could heated ginger work better against pain than raw? You don’t know, until you put it to the test. A study examined the effects on muscle pain of 11 days of a teaspoon of raw ginger versus ginger that had been boiled for three hours. As you can see below and at 5:22 in my video, there was a significant reduction in muscle soreness a day after pumping iron in the cooked ginger group—and the same benefit was achieved with the raw ginger. Either way, “daily consumption of raw and heat-treated ginger resulted in moderate-to-large reductions in muscle pain following exercise-induced muscle injury.” Here’s the link to the video I mentioned: Flashback Friday: Foods to Improve Athletic Performance and Recovery. Key Takeaways The vast majority of college athletes and high school football players may use ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) both to treat inflammation and, prophylactically, to prevent pain and inflammation. The latter has potential risks, including gastrointestinal (GI) pain and bleeding, as well as damage to the kidney and liver. In a study of thousands of marathoners, taking painkillers before racing resulted in five times the incidence of organ damage and GI cramping was the most common adverse effect. The analgesics didn’t even work. In contrast to aspirin or ibuprofen-type drugs, ginger, which has anti-nausea properties, may actually improve GI function. Ginger extracts (e.g., the powdered ginger spice readily available in grocery stores) have been found to be “clinically effective” pain-reducing agents with a better safety profile than NSAIDs. Best results have been achieved with 1.5 to 2.0 g a day (about a teaspoon of ground ginger). NSAIDs suppress both the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme, which triggers inflammation, as well as cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), which protects stomach and intestinal linings; inhibition of COX-1 has been linked with GI irritation. Ginger appears to have no negative effect on the “good” COX-1 enzyme but may dramatically reduce the pro-inflammatory COX-2 enzyme. Although ginger may not acutely improve muscle pain, taking a teaspoon or two for consecutive days or weeks may reduce muscle pain and soreness, as well as hasten recovery of muscular strength. Shogaols may be the most potent anti-inflammatory component in ginger, and dried ginger contains more than fresh, so powdered ginger may be preferred to fresh. Shogaols are created when ginger is dried, but heating ginger doesn’t seem to work more effectively against pain than raw ginger. Indeed, “daily consumption of raw and heat-treated ginger resulted in moderate-to-large reductions in muscle pain following exercise-induced muscle injury.” To read the original article click here.

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Do You Suffer from Chronic Pain? Try THESE Drug-Free, Non-Invasive Natural Interventions to Get Relief

AHA Publisher — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 07:00:56 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Over 20 percent of American adults suffer from chronic pain – defined as pain lasting longer than three months, or pain that persists beyond the normal healing time for an underlying condition or injury. A debilitating and frustrating condition, chronic pain exacts a serious toll on sleep, job performance, interpersonal relationships, and quality of life. While researchers report that chronic pain is one of the leading reasons for individuals to seek medical care, all too often the treatment they receive appears to be sadly inadequate. A newly published study shows that the number of people living with chronic pain significantly increased across every US adult demographic in the years 2002 through 2018, with researchers calling the rise “steep, sustained and pervasive.” STAGGERING Statistics: The Number of Chronic Pain Sufferers Exceeds Those Affected by Heart Disease, Cancer, and Diabetes Combined, Study Reveals In a study involving over 400,000 participants ages 25 to 84 and published in Demography, the researchers relied on data and questionnaires from the National Health Interview Survey. The survey asked about five common sites of pain: the lower back, the neck, the face and jaw, the joints, and the head. Researchers took into consideration the following factors: age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, and income. The team found that chronic pain increased “across the board” in the years of the study. While it rose the most among people of lower income, those of more comfortable means weren’t immune. People with household incomes of roughly twice the poverty level saw an increase of 42 percent in chronic pain, while people whose household income was four times the poverty level saw a 14 percent increase. The results were apparently not what the researchers had been expecting. “You might think that with medical advances, we’d be getting healthier and experiencing less pain, but the data strongly suggest the exact opposite,” commented co-author Dr. Hanna Grol-Prokopcyk, associate professor of sociology at the University of Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences. The joints and the lower back were the most prevalent sources of pain, researchers found. And, reports of chronic pain increased by 10 percent during the study period, which represents 10.5 million more people in pain. The Institutes of Medicine reported that the number of people experiencing chronic pain exceeds those affected by heart disease, cancer, and diabetes combined. While Pain Increased for all Groups, Factors for Chronic Pain Varied by Age Brackets Older participants, those between 65 and 84 years, had physical health issues associated with their chronic pain – such as obesity, diabetes, kidney issues, and high blood pressure. (In fact, 20 percent of pain increase in people aged 45 to 64 are due to arthritis, which becomes more common as people age). Younger and middle-aged people “felt the hurt” through mental health issues such as distress and alcohol abuse. Dr. Grol-Prokopcyk said that the results involving younger age groups demonstrated that pain can be as much a mental health problem as a physical issue. She called for healthcare providers to focus on prevention and management of pain – rather than procedures and medications – and urged an interdisciplinary approach. The “Dark Side” of Prescription Medications Features Abuse, Addiction, and Toxic Side Effects While Western medicine attempts to treat chronic pain with medications such as opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) the side effects of these can be severe. Long-term acetaminophen use has been linked to heart attacks, gastrointestinal bleeding, and liver problems, while NSAIDs increase the risk of stomach ulcers, kidney failure, and stroke. Opioids can not only cause constipation, fatigue, and dizziness but carry the potential for abuse, overdose, and addiction. Ironically, studies have shown that opioids may be ultimately ineffective for chronic pain – and may even worsen it. In fact, the team noted that opioids “may have contributed” to the rise of pain prevalence in the United States. It’s no wonder that many people have turned to natural and alternative methods of pain control. While there is no one solution for the complex problem of chronic pain, natural methods can often help provide a measure of relief. Manage Chronic Pain Naturally With Drug-Free, Non-Invasive Techniques Relaxation techniques – such as guided meditation, biofeedback, and deep breathing exercises – can promote the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters with pain-killing properties. These techniques have been shown in some studies to alleviate muscle tension, muscle spasms, aches, and pains. Tai Chi – a system of slow, continuous movements combined with breathing and relaxation techniques – can improve strength, joint stability, and balance. One review published in Scientific Reports showed that Tai Chi was associated with improvements in chronic pain from arthritis and lower back pain. Other recent studies and reviews have demonstrated beneficial effects from yoga, a combination of specific poses, deep breathing, and relaxation. In one study, “hot” yoga, performed in a heated room, showed particularly promising results. And – while it may be the last thing you feel like doing when suffering from an aching back – moderate aerobic exercise(such as walking, jogging, dancing, and swimming) has been shown to improve chronic pain. (Conversely, inactivity appears to worsen chronic pain). Of course, seek the advice of an integrative physician familiar with your condition before trying a new exercise regimen. Lavender essential oil, inhaled through a diffuser, was shown in one study to lessen the use of painkillers after surgery. And, in one encouraging study, topically applied lavender oil was comparable to the effect of tramadol, a prescription analgesic. Finally, bergamot essential oil aromatherapy has been shown to reduce neuropathic (nerve) pain. For topical application, natural health experts advise blending 10 drops of essential oil to each tablespoonful of carrier oil, such as olive or coconut oil. Chronic pain is not only a leading cause of disability – but may even impact longevity. And, it imposes a huge financial burden. Treating chronic pain carried a staggering $600 billion price tag in 2012, the last year for which statistics were available. Clearly, there is much room for improvement in the treatment of chronic pain. Hopefully, emerging and traditional natural techniques will receive more attention as a tool against this serious public health problem. Of course, as a final thought, never underestimate the value of eating an “anti-inflammatory diet” – which includes staying well-hydrated with clean (pure) water and eating lots of organic vegetables and some fresh fruit. Sources for this article include: MedicalNewsToday.com NIH.gov NIH.gov MedicalNewsToday.com NIH.gov To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Serious Dangers of a Very Common Medication. It’s in Your Home

AHA Publisher — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 08:00:14 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – If a painkiller is available over the counter, there’s no harm in taking it, right? Not exactly. While common over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen are generally safe, overuse whether dose by dose or with chronic use can lead to very real, dangerous, and even lethal side effects. There are serious dangers of ibuprofen many people don’t realize. In fact, ibuprofen can damage many systems in the body, and even cause surprising health issues. Here’s how to safely use it if needed, great alternatives for natural pain relief, and how overusing it can harm your body. What Is Ibuprofen? Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs). It works by inhibiting prostaglandins, natural chemicals that “turn on” pain and inflammation in the body. Of all NSAIDs, it’s been rated the safest in terms of acute drug reactions. It’s also often taken in place of aspirin which sometimes causes stomach irritation. Ibuprofen is often used for headaches, after injury, before, during, and after sporting events by athletes, and for chronic pain such as arthritis. How Much Is Okay and How Much Is Too Much? Most current daily dosages recommendations are 200-400 mg ibuprofen, every 4 hours, with a maximum of 3200 mg per day. However, even this amount can become concerning if taken longer than a week. Amazingly, a British study of painkiller use found that one in 20 adults in Britain takes at least 6 painkillers every time they are feeling ill. The average painkiller intake per adult was almost 375 pills per year (1). Although some of this number is accounted for in those of 50 who take an aspirin per day, it’s still a high number as an average for those who are under 50. Serious Dangers of Ibuprofen Overuse Current Ibuprofen boxes contain the following warning: -Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular (CV) thrombotic events, myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use. -NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients and patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease and/or GI bleeding are at a greater risk for serious GI events. Here are more details and 6 serious dangers of ibuprofen: 1. HEART ATTACK AND STROKE This one is clear and stated on the medication itself. A large meta-analysis in 2011 supported this statement. In a review of 31 trials, 116,429 patients, and more than 115,000 patient-years of follow-up, they concluded that none of the pain relievers studied were completely safe in terms of cardiovascular health. These included naproxen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, celecoxib, etoricoxib, rofecoxib, and lumiracoxib. Ibuprofen proved to have the greatest association with stroke (2). Naproxen had the least risk. In order to avoid this risk, many practitioners recommend using the lowest dose possible and consulting with a doctor before using it every day for more than a week. Interestingly, aspirin is not associated with the risk of heart attack or stroke, and instead, provides protection (3). 2. INTERNAL BLEEDING Ibuprofen use has been linked to gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers. One study out of Madrid found that normal and minimal use of ibuprofen was not a cause for concern. However, for those who take it in excess each day (a dose of 1200-2400 mg daily), might cause 5 times increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or torn stomach lining. And if these conditions are already an issue for you, using ibuprofen for pain relief may worsen the condition (4). Why does it cause bleeding? Ibuprofen inhibits the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme that promotes platelet aggregation. What’s more, chronic use of ibuprofen causes the stomach to lose its protective barrier and makes it more susceptible to injury. It’s estimated that approximately 1/3 of all ulcers can be linked to aspirin and other painkiller use. More than 1/2 of all bleeding ulcers are linked to these drugs. Ibuprofen-induced ulcers are a real, current medical issue (5). 3. ELEVATED POTASSIUM & BLOOD PRESSURE Potassium is an important mineral in the body. Overuse of NSAIDs can increase potassium levels by encouraging the kidneys to store it. Once too high, it can cause heart rhythm issues and even cardiac arrest. In addition, chronic use of ibuprofen can slightly elevate blood pressure. Healthy blood pressure requires the correct balance of electrolytes in the body, including potassium. 4. TINNITUS Surprisingly, ibuprofen may contribute to tinnitus or ringing in your ears. It is typically short-lived and resolves when ibuprofen is discontinued. However, if you take one or more doses of ibuprofen every day, you may find this to be more of a chronic issue. Although it’s not lethal, tinnitus can certainly cause a decreased quality of life and nuisance. 5. REDUCED FRACTURE AND LIGAMENT HEALING Many practitioners warn against the use of ibuprofen after ligament surgery (such as knee or shoulder surgery) and when fractures are healing. In research, there have been mixed results when studying the effects of ibuprofen on healing in these cases (6, 7). However, it’s still concerning enough for many practitioners to warn against them. On the other hand, there are natural pain relievers such as ginger and turmeric that have been found to promote healing (8, 9). 6. KIDNEY & LIVER DAMAGE Overuse of ibuprofen can also take its toll on the kidneys and liver. Unfortunately, damage to kidney cells can be irreversible and may necessitate dialysis. In fact, long-term use of painkillers like ibuprofen can cause chronic interstitial nephritis — a disease in which the spaces between the kidney tubules become inflamed (10). In addition, a 2020 study found that even moderate doses of ibuprofen can permanently damage the liver. It may increase levels of H2O2, impair the breakdown of glucose, and synthesis of fatty acids. The increases in hydrogen peroxide may damage liver cells (11). 7. DEPENDENCY AND REBOUND HEADACHES When used chronically, ibuprofen can cause some dependency. Ironically, you may also experience rebound headaches from a favorite headache medication when it is discontinued. Natural Pain Relief Alternatives Of course, pain-management is a topic that should be discussed with your doctor. But, there are many natural pain-relief alternatives that actually promote health in your body. Here’s a great list. See if any help you: 8 NATURAL-PAIN RELIEVERS Bottom Line It’s extremely important to only take the recommended dose of ibuprofen, avoid chronic high doses, and talk to you doctor before using it for more than a week or so. Pain management can be extremely tough. Know the serious dangers of ibuprofen overuse. Check out our list of natural pain relievers. Consider a healthy detox to support your liver, kidney, and whole-body health. Work with your doctor to find healthy treatments for you. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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