Are painkillers good for you?
Meds that relieve pain are precious tools for patients and doctors. We use painkillers as a respite from pain. However, little do you know that some of the painkillers you use can pose severe damage to the health of your heart. Researchers in the medical world has found out that some of the painkillers heighten the risk of getting heart attacks. A general name given to these painkillers is Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
What are NSAIDs?
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs abbreviated as NSAIDs are a class of medicines that relieve or reduce pain and fever as well as reduce inflammation. NSAIDs are widely used to treat inflammation and pain in long-term conditions such as arthritis. However, many people take these drugs for short-term problems such as cold or flu or an occasional headache or backaches.
Quick facts about NSAIDs
- Most of the NSAIDs are present over the counter (OTC); therefore, they are generally safe provided one uses them according to the label.
- There are potential risks of taking NSAIDs over a long period; therefore, patients should seek medical advice in case of long-term pain problems
- The primary use of NSAIDs is for pains and aches, cramps or pain conditions that involve swelling or fever.
Examples of NSAIDs
NSAIDs can either be administered over the counter or prescribed at the hospital. The most common types of NSAIDs given over the counter include aspirin and Ibuprofen. Some of the prescription NSAIDs include diclofenac and naproxen.
Side effects of NSAIDs
NSAIDs pose different side effects on people since their bodies have different responses to these drugs. For people taking these drugs in high doses or over a long term, are highly vulnerable to have side effects. One of the major side effects of the NSAIDs is a heart attack. Several studies supported this and indicated that the risk of having a heart attack on people using these drugs was 20 to 50%. That is how high the risk was when compared to people not using the NSAIDs.
Taking a look at aspirin, researchers found out that apart from relieving pain the drug can also cause your stomach to bleed when used for a long time. The effect was the same to other NSAIDs. The result of this is problems in simple indigestion and stomach ulcers.
Taking too much of NSAIDs can expose you to kidney damage. Some of the NSAIDs are not safe for children. For instance, aspirin can cause them to have the Reye’s syndrome, which attacks the liver and brain.
NSAIDs have also been linked to increasing the blood pressure. They achieve this by reducing the blood flow to the kidneys; therefore, they cause a fluid buildup in the body. The more the fluid is in the bloodstream the high the blood pressure rises. The result of this is heart attacks and even stroke.
Long-term use of NSAIDs can lead to ulcers developing in the gut. This type of ulcers is known as peptic ulcers. These drugs reduce the actions of prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation, hence leaving the stomach vulnerable to the effects of acid.
Some of the less severe effects of NSAIDs experienced by some people include;
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Indigestion and other gut problems
Conclusion
Painkillers (NSAIDs) provide an excellent way of treating pain. However, long-term and high doses of these drugs expose you to adverse effects such as heart attacks. Statistics from recent pieces of research indicate that these painkillers raise the risk of having heart attacks as early as in the first week. It is advisable that you consult a doctor before taking these drugs as well as weigh the risks before instituting them as treatment. Other options are visiting an Acupuncturist or any holistic practitioner.