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In the first sign of pain, most of us do not think twice A bottle of ibuprofen or similarly over -the -counter medicine (OTC). After all, they are commonly called analgesics - as they are intended to relieve A variety of ailments and pain, including "headaches, sore muscles, [and] arthritis", according to the National Institute of Health (NIH).

However, you may want to reconsider the search for these drugs. A new study indicates that over -the -counter pain relievers - including ibuprofen - can actually worsen inflammation. Read on to find out more.

Read this then: This is what happens when you take ibuprofen 30 days in a row, according to doctors .

Regarding pain, most people are used to relieving over -the -counter drugs - and they don't always wait for them to really experience discomfort. In a 2022 Survey of 2,000 American adults Directed by OnePoll in the name of Chirp, a company that manufactures devices to relieve back pain, 42% of respondents said they used over -the -counter drugs to try to completely avoid pain. And when they are In pain, 34% of respondents reach over -the -counter drugs. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

Many of them also said they were taking over -the -counter medication regularly. Twenty percent of the respondents said they took pain relievers at least once a day, and 12% admitted to having taken them "sometimes a day". But now, new research highlights the way this practice could be problematic.

A study Presented at the Conference of the Radiological Society of North America in 2022 in November revealed that taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen for osteoarthritis can worsen inflammation in certain cases.

The study examined 277 participants in the cohort of osteoarthritis initiative with moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee that used NSAID treatment For at least a year, a press release said.

For these patients, the researchers examined the link between the use of NSAIDs and the synovitis, which is "the inflammation of the membrane which lines the joint", " Johanna Luitjens , MD, the main study of the study and postdoctoral scholarship holder in the department of radiology and biomedical imaging at the University of California in San Francisco, in a press release. But the results were not exactly promising.

"In this study, no long -term structural advantage of the use of NSAIDs in patients with [osteoarthritis] Can be found "Researchers have concluded".

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Osteoarthritis is " most common form of arthritis "And is sometimes called" degenerative joint disease ", according to centers for disease control and prevention (CDC). The agency estimates that this condition affects more than 32.5 million adults in the United States, but that it either as common, there is "no remedy for this pathological process," Kelly Johnson-Arbor , MD, a Medical toxicology doctor and the co-medical director of the National Capital Poison Center, says Better life .

"Treatments are limited to pain control and the maintenance of joint and stability," said Johnson-Arbor. "NSAIDs are often used to reduce pain and acute inflammation of arthritis."

But over time, the study says that these drugs could have the opposite effect, says Leann Poston , MD, a approved doctor and medical expert for medical dynamics. "This suggests that NSAIDs may not reduce structural changes found in the knee joint due to osteoarthritis and can actually cause more pain and a decrease in joint function," said Poston. This is due to the potential to increase inflammation. "Inflammation usually cause pain Because swelling and accumulation of tissues begin to press against nerve endings. This pressure sends brain pain signals, causing discomfort, "according to Garden State Pain and Orthopdics.

Luitjens said that the study was "able to show that there were no mechanisms for protecting NSAIDs to reduce inflammation or slow down the progression of osteoarthritis of the knee joint". This indicates that the use of these pain relievers for treatment in these patients "should be revisited," concluded the principal researcher.

But Poston, who was not involved in the study, warned against conclusions without further research. "It was a small study, and randomized controlled trials are necessary to better advise patients on the question of whether NSAIDs are an advantage or harmful in their case," she said.

Naheed Ali , PHD, a Doctor of internal medicine And doctor editor at Medical Copywriting Services, recommends speaking with your doctor to know if you should take ibuprofen in the long term or other OTC NSAIDs. "Indeed, the long -term use of NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, can be associated with certain risks and side effects," said Ali. "The doctor may recommend alternative treatment options or suggest taking NSAIDs in the shorter term. The best approach to treatment for NSAIDs will depend on the specific needs and medical history of the individual."

The short-term use of the pain relievers for knee pain could be the best, based on study results, according to Johnson-Arbor. “The long -term use of drugs NSAIDs can help hide the pain of osteoarthritis, temporarily allowing people with the condition of being more active. “The medical toxicologist explains.

Best Life offers the most recent information from high -level experts, new research and health agencies, but our content is not supposed to replace professional advice. Regarding the medication you take or any other health issue you have, always consult your health care provider directly.