Over the counter painkillers have become a multi-billion dollar business as a result of millions of people suffering from Arthritic joint pain and inflammation. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are the most common form of drug treatment for arthritis. Aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen are the best selling NSAID drugs.

Many people rely on NSAID drugs because they quickly reduce arthritic pain and inflammation. However, these pain medications cause serious side effects in the long term. NSAIDs have been found to cause following adverse reactions:

- gastric bleeding and ulcer

- cramps, indigestion and diarrhea

- nausea, vomiting, stomach upset and constipation,

- skin rashes and allergic reactions

- dizziness, nervousness and confusion

The adverse reactions depend on the length of drug use and strength of the dose. Higher doses and long time usage causes more severe side effects. The quick pain relief provided by the NSAIDs quickly plateaus and diminishes with time. As a result, people with severe pain have to keep taking them at short and regular intervals. Such people need to be aware of the adverse effects of NSAIDs and how to minimize them. Following are some helpful tips about NSAID usage:

- always take them with food to minimize stomach problems

- while taking the drugs, drink a full glass of water to prevent stomach irritation

- do not combine two different NSAID drugs

- do not drink alcohol while taking NSAID drugs, it increases the risk of stomach problems

- do not use antacids to relieve stomach problems caused by NSAIDs. It may hide a serious stomach problem

- NSAIDs tend to increase sensitivity to sunlight, try using a high SPF sunscreen for skin protection

In the long term, it is better to reduce the dependence on drugs and resort to other means of arthritic pain & inflammation treatment. Following are some of the guidelines that will help in giving relief from arthritic pain and inflammation:

- Use Hot and Cold packs, they are one of the best and simplest remedy for inflammation pain

- Reduce sugar from the diet

- Calcium/magnesium supplements help in relieving muscle spasms and chronic headaches

Emotional healing and a regular exercise regimen can also help in improving arthritis symptoms.

Emotions such as tension, anxiety, depression, loneliness and anger aggravate the pain by blocking the body’s production of natural painkillers. Therefore, it is very important to control your emotions and achieve mental peace through the use of various techniques such as meditation, aromatherapy, music therapy, etc. These techniques help in separating physical sensations from thoughts and emotions which tend to aggravate the pain. As a person becomes emotionally stable, the pain begins to slowly dissipate.

Exercise plays an important role in arthritis treatment. It improves the circulation, coordination, posture, balance, increases relaxation, strengthens the muscles and improves mood. It also helps in correcting bad posture and incorrect movements, which are among the main causes of chronic pain.



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