If you suffer from arthritis, you will be familiar with NSAIDS. They have become a part of American life. Some examples are Aspirin, Advil, Aleve, Excedrin, and Motrin just to name a few. They are a favorite of doctors when prescribing pain relief for osteoarthritis.

How They Function

These kinds of pain relievers are designed to block the body's production of prostaglandins (hormone-like substances in the body which are the source of pain and inflammation.) The problem is that in many ways prostaglandins are an essential part of normal bodily functions. In fact, they play a significant role in regulating your blood pressure, kidney functions and the secretions of gastric acids.

When NSAIDs are used to control pain, they have a negative effect on these favorable aspects of the prostaglandins. So where does that leave you? While they may reduce the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, in turn they can cause some very troublesome side effects that include but are not limited to: cramping; nausea; indigestion and diarrhea; constipation; headaches; tension or nervous behavior, and more.

What should be of even greater concern is the fact even more serious side effects can develop and often, very quickly: Ulcers; fever; sore throats; breathing difficulties; irregular heartbeat; high blood pressure; and more. Unfortunately in our haste to rid ourselves of the pain from osteoarthritis, we are all to quick to fail to recognize that the use of these (common) medications can have extremely severe consequences.

The Most Serious Healing Issue

There is mounting clinical evidence that using NSAIDs blocks the body's synthesis of proteoglycans. These are the molecules that draw water into the cartilage. The result? While you may be getting some pain relief, you are also increasing the problem with the damaged cartilage as well. And the worst news is still unconfirmed but suspected. The use of NSAIDs may actually cause osteoarthritis to increase. In other words, while trying to get some symptomatic relief, you are also hastening the very disease you are trying to control.

The FDA Identifies Safety Problems With NSAID Use

The FDA has been more closely examing NSAIDs in recent years and publishing repeated warnings about some serious problems associated with their use. In September 2002, the Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee, along with experts from other committees, examined the evidence of U.S. cases of accidental and unintentional overdoses with NSAIDs and acetaminophen and related cases of gastrointestinal (GI) and renal (kidney) toxicity and identifed certain risk factors. The advisory committee's discussions and advice are at: http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/cder02.htm#NonprescriptionDrugs
In January 2004, the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) reiterated the concerns raised by the 2002 investigation when the CDER sent a letter to every State Board of Pharmacy to advise of safety issues for products containing NSAIDs or acetaminophen -- more specifically, the risk factors for GI bleeding and renal toxicity from their use.

A Simple Conclusion

Based on the recent news from the medical community and the FDA, you should be wary of NSAIDs. If you are currently using NSAIDs, you should consult your doctor and ask very direct questions about the safety issues raised by the recent news. You may also want to use a safer approach to pain control with no side effects.

A highly effective osteoarthritis formula that has no side effects is Syn-flex®. Syn-flex® is a fast-acting, high-quality osteoarthritis formula for humans and pets. Formulated with pharmaceutical quality liquid glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate, and nine other arthritis-fighting ingredients, Syn-flex® will not only ease your pain quickly, it will slow the progression of your osteoarthritis, without the dangerous side effects of NSAIDS or COX-2 Inhibitors. Learn more about Syn-flex® now.

J.R. Rogers is the founder and President of Activex America, Inc. makers of Liquid Glucosamine Formula Syn-flex®

Last updated: 1/31/05