Dangers of Advil. Dangers of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
Taking an occasional taking an Advil (ibuprofen) for pain is usually not dangerous for most patients. However, this new statement by the FDA notes the risk to many people if non-steroidal pills are used too often in certain patients.
Likely a genetic component is involved in this risk: some patients who are pre-disposed to heart attack and stroke are more likely to be affected by these risks than those who do not have a genetic predisposition-but only time will tell the details of risks.
For now, it is always better to try to treat pain naturally.
My favorite natural ways to treat any pain (depending on how much pain involved is) are the following.
1. Using electrical massagers or massaging (ie, of neck muscles for headache, temple region or supraorbital notch for headaches).
2. Meditation, deep breathing, prayer: this has been proven to decrease heart rates and stress level hormones which helps in certain types of pain (e.g., childbirth pain: like lamaze)
3. Changing diet regimen: for migraines see
https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1301797728403492391#editor/target=post;postID=3798136614502772187;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=3;src=postname
For those at risk for Diabetes see:
4. Think of ways to prevent future pain:
a. loose weight
b. get plenty of exercise
c. Drink plenty of water every day: at least 64oz
d. get yearly exam to be sure your levels of Vitamin D, blood levels (be sure you are not anemic), CRP & ESR (checks general level of inflammation) are normal.
e. eat organic: yes, controversial; we do not have enough diet to make a blanket statement on this, but most MDs eat mostly organic themselves.
f. avoid diet soda (non-stevia) or artificial colors, flavors
Sandra Cremers, MD, FACS
Likely a genetic component is involved in this risk: some patients who are pre-disposed to heart attack and stroke are more likely to be affected by these risks than those who do not have a genetic predisposition-but only time will tell the details of risks.
For now, it is always better to try to treat pain naturally.
My favorite natural ways to treat any pain (depending on how much pain involved is) are the following.
1. Using electrical massagers or massaging (ie, of neck muscles for headache, temple region or supraorbital notch for headaches).
2. Meditation, deep breathing, prayer: this has been proven to decrease heart rates and stress level hormones which helps in certain types of pain (e.g., childbirth pain: like lamaze)
3. Changing diet regimen: for migraines see
https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1301797728403492391#editor/target=post;postID=3798136614502772187;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=3;src=postname
For those at risk for Diabetes see:
4. Think of ways to prevent future pain:
a. loose weight
b. get plenty of exercise
c. Drink plenty of water every day: at least 64oz
d. get yearly exam to be sure your levels of Vitamin D, blood levels (be sure you are not anemic), CRP & ESR (checks general level of inflammation) are normal.
e. eat organic: yes, controversial; we do not have enough diet to make a blanket statement on this, but most MDs eat mostly organic themselves.
f. avoid diet soda (non-stevia) or artificial colors, flavors
Sandra Cremers, MD, FACS
FDA Strengthens NSAID Warning for Heart, Stroke Risks
- The
Following a comprehensive review of new safety information, the FDA is requiring the drug labels of all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs to be updated to reflect the increased risk. Prescription and OTC nonaspirin NSAIDs already include information about the risk for heart attack and stroke with NSAIDs, either of which can lead to death, the FDA states in a news release.
Prescription nonaspirin NSAID labels first included “Boxed Warning” and “Warnings and Precaution” sections in 2005. Since that time, the FDA reviewed new safety information on prescription and OTC NSAIDs that included observational studies, a large combined analysis of clinical trials, and other scientific publications.
The FDA’s Arthritis Advisory Committee and Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee discussed these studies at a joint meeting on February 10-11, 2014.
The updated labels for prescription NSAIDS will include the following information:
· Heart attack or stroke risk can increase as early as the first weeks of NSAID use, and the risk may increase with longer NSAID use. The risk appears to be greater at higher doses.
· Although the risk was previously thought to be similar for all NSAIDs, more recent information calls this into question. The FDA now says that there is insufficient information to determine whether the risk is higher or lower for one NSAID compared with another.
· A large number of studies show that patients with or without heart disease or risk factors for heart disease are at increased risk for heart attack or stroke. Study estimates of the extent of increased risk are varied, depending on the medications and doses studied.
· In general, the risk for heart attack or stroke after NSAID use is greater in patients with heart disease or risk factors for it because their risk is higher at baseline.
· Patients who take NSAIDs after a first heart attack were more likely to die in the year after the heart attack compared with those who did not take NSAIDs after their first heart attack.
· Patients are at increased risk for heart failure with NSAID use.
The FDA recommends that patients and healthcare professionals remain alert for cardiac adverse effects for the duration of NSAID use. Those taking NSAIDs should seek immediate medical attention if they have symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, weakness in one part or side of their body, or slurred speech.
More information on today’s alert is available on the FDA website.