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Articles (Total : 38)

Date   Title

• Reiki - The 'Up and Coming' Complementary Therapy 30 Nov 1999 • What is a Health Club? 30 Nov 1999 • Re-define What Clean Means for You and Your Home 30 Nov 1999 • Principles of Effective Weight Loss 30 Nov 1999 • Green Bodies 30 Nov 1999 • What is the Glycemic Index? 30 Nov 1999 • Extreme Breakup Recovery 30 Nov 1999 • Workout Without a Gym 30 Nov 1999 • Ayurveda in Brief 30 Nov 1999 • What exactly is Dis-ease? 30 Nov 1999 • Iridology for Children 30 Nov 1999 • The Truth About Low Carb Dieting 30 Nov 1999 • Problems With Green Tea 30 Nov 1999 • The Road To A Healthier Weight: Staying Motivated 9 Feb 2004 • Dangers of Fluoride in Water 30 Nov 1999 • General Dietry Guidelines 10 Jun 2003 • Principles of Effective Weight Gain 30 Nov 1999 • What is Ankylosing Spondylitis? 30 Nov 1999 • Colorectal Care 30 Nov 1999 • Fusion Fitness - Warm Up 30 Nov 1999 • What is Yogic Massage? 30 Nov 1999 • A Question of Weight 1 Dec 2005 • Breathing Works for Asthma 30 Nov 1999 • Bovine Growth Hormone 30 Nov 1999 • Feng Shui and Horses 30 Nov 1999 • Stretching in the Office 30 Nov 1999 • The Cholesterol Question 30 Nov 1999 • Hypnosis for Stress Management 30 Nov 1999 • The Medical Risks of Overweight and Obesity 9 Nov 2004 • Choosing a OTC Pain Relief 30 Nov 1999 • Managing Cancer the Holistic Way 30 Nov 1999 • What is Osteoporosis? 30 Nov 1999 • How to gain a good Self Esteem - The Easy Way 30 Nov 1999 • Giving Up the Diet 30 Nov 1999 • How to Substitute Fat in Your Everyday Diet 30 Nov 1999 • The Myths and Truths Of Dieting 22 Aug 2003 • General Exercise Guidelines 6 Jan 2004 • Home Help for Hayfever 30 Nov 1999

Consumers may be unknowingly putting themselves at risk when taking commonly used pain relievers such as ibuprofen according to experts writing in the American Journal of Therapeutics (AJT). The elderly - who are often on a number of medications for multiple illnesses - pregnant women, people with asthma and those with a history of gastro-intestinal problems are the most likely to be at risk.

Dr Jane Nikles, Senior Research Officer, The University of Queensland, Australia and one of the authors in the latest issue of the AJT underlined these concerns: "People are seemingly unaware of whether they fall into an 'at risk' group and therefore can take inappropriate pain relief. It is important that people take the time to read the information supplied with all over the counter (OTC) pain relievers or ask their healthcare professional for advice to ensure they choose the appropriate medication for them."
 
Some 60% of consumers are unaware of the active ingredient in their brand of pain reliever. All users of OTC pain relievers should read the label before taking analgesics, as risks can occur with inappropriate short-term use. Specific groups of people, including the elderly, and those taking certain types of prescribed drugs (heart drugs known as ACE inhibitors and water tablets or diuretics) were highlighted as being at a higher risk of side effects from drugs such as ibuprofen, including kidney problems or acute renal failure, as that they may not be aware of possible side effects, contraindications and interactions with prescription medicines. Authors drew attention to the fact that inappropriate long-term use of analgesics such as ibuprofen can double the risk of peptic ulceration.

For people who are unsure which pain reliever to take, paracetamol (acetaminophen) should be first choice say the experts in the AJT . Dr Ali Jawad, Consultant Rheumatologist, Royal London Hospital, United Kingdom and author of one of the AJT papers added: "For pain relief, paracetamol is the best first-choice, whatever pain you have, because it can be used by the majority of people when taken as recommended".

Pain is the most commonly self-treated symptom and there are an increasing number of pain relievers available OTC, and in supermarkets where a health care professional may not be available to consult2.

Author: Basab Dey

Contact the Author:
Tel: 0870 740 8282

Web: http://www.worldwidehealth.com

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