Latest news with #NSAIDs
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Gastroenterologist shares if you can really 'cure leaky gut with probiotics, digestive enzymes or other supplements'
Dr Trisha Pasricha, a gastroenterologist, took to Instagram on May 27 to discuss 'leaky gut, one of the most common gut health concerns she hears from her patients' and how she 'explains it as a neuro-gastroenterologist'. She said that what patients call 'leaky gut' is actually what gastroenterologists call 'increased intestinal permeability'. Also read | Guts don't lie: Study explains how a weekend of cheat meals can lead to leaky gut She added, 'We have known about it for decades. If your doctor tells you 'leaky gut' is not real, they are either unfamiliar with the data or wary of how that term has been used incorrectly to mean something it is not.' Dr Pasricha also shared what causes 'leaky gut': ⦿ Ultra-processed foods ⦿ High-fat foods ⦿ Alcohol ⦿ Stress ⦿ NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) Dr Pasricha said: ''Leaky gut' is a colloquial term for increased intestinal permeability — or how easily molecules pass from inside our intestines into our bloodstreams. Some people use the term loosely as a diagnosis, claiming that a leaky gut can cause food sensitivities, bloating, brain fog, acne and fatigue. They even link it to increased frequency of infections or autoimmune conditions.' She added, 'But leaky gut is a physiological process, not a formal medical diagnosis. We all experience increased permeability from time to time. It's something that fluctuates constantly because of factors such as stress, infections and the food we eat.' Dr Pasricha said, 'Many people on social media claim you can 'cure' a leaky gut with probiotics, digestive enzymes or other supplements. These claims are not supported by scientific evidence.' In a March 2022 interview with HT Lifestyle, dietitian Lavleen Kaur had said that 'if you wish to heal a leaky gut, you must first address the root causes of the problem'. She said, 'While it's impossible to say whether leaky gut can be healed, it can surely be improved. To some extent, everyone's guts are 'leaky': our small intestine is designed to let specific particles into the rest of the body. It only becomes a concern when it begins to emit the wrong types.' She added, 'The only and best way to heal a leaky gut is to eliminate certain foods such as wheat-based products, refined oils, processed and packaged foods while adding healthy foods such as probiotics (yoghurt, dairy, and cheese), fermented vegetables, nuts and sprouted seeds to create a balance of good and bad bacteria in our gut. You can also take probiotic supplements, reduce your stress, limit your use of NSAIDs, avoid drinking and smoking and get more sleep.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
NHS warning over the common medications you should never mix with paracetamol
Paracetamol and ibuprofen are two of the most commonly used and widely available painkillers in the UK, but there are certain medications that should not be taken alongside them The NHS has issued a warning to those on certain medications about the potential hazards of combining them with commonly-used painkillers. The health service advises consulting with your doctor or pharmacist before taking paracetamol or ibuprofen if you're affected. Many rely on over-the-counter remedies like paracetamol for common complaints including headaches, backaches, and the symptoms of colds. Ibuprofen is another accessible pain reliever in the UK, used against various discomforts such as back and period pains, toothaches, and symptoms related to colds, flu, or COVID-19. While these medications are typically safe when used according to instructions, the NHS lists medicines that should not be mixed with either paracetamol and ibuprofen. Read on to see which tablets you should avoid mixing with the popular painkillers. Paracetamol With regard to paracetamol, the NHS suggests speaking with your GP prior to use if you are on certain drugs. Specifically, they warn against the use of the painkiller along with warfarin, a medicine used to prevent blood clots, reports the Express. They said: "Paracetamol can increase the risk of bleeding if you take it [warfarin] regularly." However, a lower dose of paracetamol can be safe alongside warfarin, with the health service clarifying: "It's safe to take paracetamol while you're on warfarin. But take the lowest dose that controls your pain. "Taking more than four 500mg tablets over 24 hours for longer than a few days may make your blood clot more slowly. This puts you at risk of bleeding." It can also be potentially hazardous to take the painkiller alongside other medications that contain paracetamol such as co-codamol or certain cold and flu tablets, due to the risk of overdose. However, ibuprofen, aspirin and codeine are other painkillers that do not contain paracetamol and are safe to take with paracetamol. The NHS advises that you should consult your doctor before taking paracetamol if you are on medicine to treat epilepsy or tuberculosis (TB) as this can also pose an added risk. Ibuprofen These include aspirin, diclofenac, celecoxib and naproxen, and when taken together could heighten the risk of side effects such as stomach bleeding or kidney problems. "NSAIDs are also used in medicines you can purchase from pharmacies, such as cough and cold remedies," states the NHS. "Before taking any other medicines, check the label to see if they contain aspirin, ibuprofen or other NSAIDs." For your safety, you should also inform your doctor if you're taking any of the following medicines before you start taking any type of ibuprofen: Medicines that help to prevent blood clots, such as warfarin Medicines for high blood pressure Steroid medicines such as betamethasone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone or prednisolone Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin or ofloxacin Antidepressants such as citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, venlafaxine, paroxetine or sertraline Diabetes medicines such as gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide or tolbutamide. You should also avoid taking ibuprofen with ginkgo biloba supplements as it can 'increase the chance of bleeding'. The NHS added that you should see a doctor as soon as possible or call 111 if you have been taking ibuprofen and you experience: Black poo or blood in your vomit – these can be signs of bleeding in your stomach. Swollen ankles, blood in your pee or not peeing at all – these can be signs of a kidney problem.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
BBC's Naga Munchetty diagnosed with adenomyosis following panicked 999 call
The BBC Breakfast presenter's husband had to make a panicked call to 999, saying 'she can't move' in 2022. BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty was left in extreme pain when a night at the theatre ended in her being unable to move. Her husband, News UK's James Haggar, was unable to drive her to hospital as he'd been drinking, forcing him to make a panicked call to 999. Naga revealed that her husband had pleaded with emergency operators, saying: "She cannot move." A gynaecologist subsequently diagnosed the presenter with adenomyosis after the incident in 2022, a condition affecting the uterus lining and causing it to grow into the muscle of the womb's wall. The NHS states that although some sufferers have no symptoms, others experience debilitating pelvic pain and very heavy menstrual bleeding. The star had been struggling with chronic pain since the age of 15. However, it wasn't until she was 47, and this incident took place, that she was diagnosed. Naga told Saga: "I'm very lucky because you have to pick your moments with partners to tell them about everything you go through - you don't want to do it on the first date or the first time you sleep together. "Many of the women I speak to have wonderful husbands, but they'd had to learn as adults about what their partners were going through, because we're not taught any of it in school." Naga also shared that she underwent surgical sterilisation when she was in her mid-forties, as she and her husband made an early decision not to have children, reported The Express. The BBC Breakfast star confessed they "liked the life" they led and her mother eventually understood her choice. The NHS explains that adenomyosis, where the lining of the womb (uterus) starts growing into the muscle in its wall, is more commonly diagnosed in women over the age of 30, and can affect anyone who has periods. Symptoms of adenomyosis The NHS explains that some symptoms of adenomyosis affect your periods, such as: painful periods heavy bleeding during your period Other symptoms can happen any time in your menstrual cycle, such as: pelvic pain (pain in the lower part of your tummy) bloating, heaviness or fullness in your tummy (abdomen) pain during sex Some people with adenomyosis have no symptoms. The NHS website also explains the difference between adenomyosis and endometriosis. While adenomyosis involves the lining of the womb growing into the muscle in the wall of the uterus, endometriosis is a different condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes. Treatments for the condition include: the IUS (intrauterine system, also called Mirena or hormonal coil), which thins the womb lining, making your periods lighter and less painful other types of hormonal contraception if you cannot or do not want to have an IUS, such as the progestogen-only pill, the combined pill or the contraceptive patch medicines such as tranexamic acid or NSAIDs If these treatments do not work, you may need surgery, explains the NHS. This could be a hysterectomy, or surgery to remove the lining of your womb (endometrial ablation). Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Tribune
Half of Elderly Patients Prescribed Risky Medications, Study Finds
TDT | Manama Professor Tom Fahey, a leading expert in general practice and epidemiology, presented critical findings on the safety and appropriateness of medication use in elderly populations during the Bahrain International Conference on Family Medicine and Primary Healthcare, held at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain. Drawing from extensive Irish research, Prof. Fahey outlined trends in potentially inappropriate prescribing and adverse drug reactions, with a particular focus on patients aged 70 and above. His presentation was based on data from a large cohort study involving over 50,000 patients in the Dublin area, highlighting how hospital admission, both elective and emergency, were significantly associated with the likelihood of receiving high-risk medications. Prof. Fahey emphasized the risks of polypharmacy, the simultaneous use of multiple medications—particularly among elderly patients, linking it to increased emergency visits, hospitalizations, and functional decline. In a six-year observational study across 15 general practices in Dublin, a significant number of elderly patients experienced ADRs, with over 10% requiring emergency hospitalization. The most commonly implicated drugs were NSAIDs and certain psychoactive medications. The research also investigated the rise in the use of strong opioids, such as morphine and fentanyl, which increased from 20% to 43% over a 15-year period. Prof. Fahey warned that these drugs carry well-documented risks, particularly in older populations, mirroring concerns across other European and American healthcare systems. Another area of concern was the prescribing of medications affected by alcohol consumption. Interventions aimed at reducing alcohol-medication interactions showed modest success, though the impact on long-term health outcomes remained limited. Prof. Fahey concluded by stressing the urgent need for policy interventions, better prescribing practices, and clinical guidelines to mitigate medication-related harm in aging populations. He called for family physicians and primary healthcare providers to play a leading role in addressing inappropriate medication use and improving patient safety. - Hospitalization was a major factor associated with increased exposure to risky medications, independent of other health conditions.
New York Times
6 days ago
- Health
- New York Times
What's Best for My Pain: Tylenol or Advil?
Q: I never know which type of over-the-counter pain medication to use for different types of pain, like headaches, sprained ankles or sore muscles. Which works best for these unique situations? When you have various aches and pains, it can be challenging to decide which over-the-counter pain reliever is best matched for your affliction — Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, Motrin? The choice, experts say, really comes down to just two classes of medication: acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (or NSAIDs). Each addresses pain in its own way, said Mary Lynn McPherson, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. And not all types of pain respond equally well to both, she added. Here's how to tell what types of pain these drugs are most effective at relieving, and how to use them safely. How They Work NSAIDs, which include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) and aspirin (Bayer), help relieve pain by rushing to sites of inflammation throughout the body, said Dr. Katherin Peperzak, medical director of the Center for Pain Relief at the University of Washington Medical Center. They reduce or block two enzymes (called COX-1 and COX-2). This action hinders the production of prostaglandins, chemicals that contribute to swelling, inflammation and pain, Dr. Peperzak said. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), on the other hand, is dispatched to receptors in the brain and the spinal cord, but what it does from there is a little more mysterious. 'We're not 100 percent sure how the heck that bad boy works,' Dr. McPherson said. One theory is that it also reduces certain COX enzymes, Dr. Peperzak said. But acetaminophen doesn't target inflammation like NSAIDs do, Dr. McPherson added. When to Use Them Acetaminophen and NSAIDs can relieve many of the same types of pain. But there are pros and cons to each. NSAIDS are best at treating inflammation-related pain that occurs anywhere in the body, whether it's localized to one spot (as with migraine headaches, toothaches, muscle strains or cuts) or spread throughout (as with arthritis pain). 'If you've got redness, heat, swelling, or it's an acute injury, there's probably some inflammation,' Dr. Peperzak said, and your pain is a good candidate for NSAIDs. All NSAIDs work similarly, so choose the one that's most effective for you, said Dr. F. Michael Ferrante, director of the Pain Management Center at the University of California, Los Angeles. Naproxen (sold as Aleve), however, does tend to keep pain away for longer than the other NSAIDs — about 12 hours, Dr. McPherson said. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), on the other hand, works for closer to four to six hours. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is most effective for more mild pain that is not caused by inflammation, Dr. Peperzak said. It can help with mild arthritis pain or tension headaches, for example, Dr. McPherson said — or body aches related to a cold, Dr. Peperzak added. It's less helpful for migraine headaches or menstrual pain, she said. Unlike NSAIDs, acetaminophen won't treat symptoms of inflammation like swelling or redness, Dr. McPherson said, which could cause the body to take longer to heal. Both classes of drugs can help reduce a fever, Dr. Ferrante said. Using Them Safely Unless your doctor recommends otherwise, it's best to follow the product's dosing guidelines, Dr. Ferrante said. For adults, that's typically no more than 3,000 milligrams of acetaminophen per day, he said — and up to 1,200 milligrams per day for ibuprofen, 660 milligrams for naproxen and 4,000 milligrams for aspirin. Acetaminophen and NSAIDs can be taken together, either at the same time or by alternating them throughout the day. This lets you 'benefit from both mechanisms,' since they work differently for pain relief, especially if you aren't getting results from one alone, Dr. Peperzak said. However, avoid doing this with individual categories of NSAIDs (by mixing ibuprofen with naproxen, for example). Using too much at once or for long periods of time increases the risk of developing chronic acid reflux, nausea, ulcers or kidney problems, Dr. Ferrante said. It also increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure, Dr. McPherson added. Certain people — such as those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, are taking blood thinners or have a history of high blood pressure or kidney, liver or heart disease — should avoid NSAIDs (or at least consult a doctor first), Dr. McPherson said. Acetaminophen is less likely to cause side effects, Dr. Peperzak said. Minor ones may include a rash, nausea or constipation. But acetaminophen can be toxic to your liver when taken at high doses, Dr. McPherson said, so avoid it if you have a history of alcoholism or liver disease. If you need to use any of these drugs for more than a few days, consult a doctor, who may recommend prescription-strength versions of the medications or other pain treatments. And if you aren't sure which drug to take in the first place, a doctor or a pharmacist can help recommend a medication based on your specific needs, Dr. McPherson said.
