Arthritis
The Best Christmas Present Yet!
Do you hate thinking about shopping for presents at this time of year? What do you give mom or grandpa. What about the neighbors or cousin Charlie? Just trying to come up with the right gift for peopl…
Will You Experience Drug Shortages Because of Hu…
There is an epidemic of drug shortages in the U.S. It has been going on for years. The reasons are often hard to pin down. Drug company consolidation has contributed. The big fish swallow the smaller …
Alternatives for Arthritis vs. NSAID Disasters
Do you ever experience a twinge in your knee, shoulder, hip or hand? Tens of millions of people suffer with osteoarthritis (OA). Many of them use over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or n…
Ibuprofen Side Effects Can Include Really Bad Di…
Americans love ibuprofen. Some athletes refer to it as vitamin I. That's because this non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug can ease the pain and inflammation of of sore joints. Most people recognize t…
Will Glucosamine Repair Damaged Cartilage?
In 1997 Jason Theodosakis, MD, MS, MPH, and colleagues launched the book, The Arthritis Cure: The Medical Miracle That Can Halt, Reverse, and May Even Cure Osteoarthritis. It could be stated that Dr. …
What Can You Do For Arthritis Pain If You Can…
Roughly one out of five Americans takes an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) regularly. That includes medications like celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, meloxicam and naproxen …
Will Your Pain Pill Boost Your Blood Pressure?
People in pain are caught in a terrible bind. When you hurt, it is common for your blood pressure to go up. That's hardly a surprise. Pain is extremely stressful for your entire body. But taking nonst…
Glucosamine a Bust in New Analysis
A study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (online, July 28, 2017) concluded that glucosamine lacks evidence of effectiveness. Although the researchers don't come right out and say it, …
NSAID Gel Rescued A Vacation
People in Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Italy and many other countries have been able to buy topical NSAIDs for decades without a prescription. In the U.S. you can buy unlimited amounts of oral ibu…
Turmeric in Milk Prevents Stomach Upset
Have you considered taking turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties? Perhaps you've considered it as a way to ease psoriasis instead. Researchers have suggested that turmeric or its principal com…
What Can Prolotherapy Do for Sore Knees?
As Americans get older and grayer, we also have to cope with more joint pain. We swallow large quantities of anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen). Many of us take supplements…
How Good Is Aspirin Against Pain?
Once upon a time doctors actually prescribed aspirin for headaches, backaches, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other painful conditions. But once non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs…
How to Make Gin-Raisin Remedy
Would you like to alleviate arthritis pain without drugs? Many people would, especially when they learn about potential NSAID side effects such as bleeding ulcers or cardiovascular complications. But …
Side Effects of TNF Blockers: Enbrel, Humira, Re…
Most drugs are double-edged swords. In other words, they have the potential both to help and to harm. But some medications have sharper blades than others. TNF blockers are great examples of this deal…
How Good Is Pharmaceutical-Grade Chondroitin?
In the US, chondroitin sulfate is usually sold as a dietary supplement and taken in conjunction with glucosamine to treat arthritis pain. Most well-controlled trials in this country have shown that th…
Will Acupuncture Relieve Your Arthritic Knee Pai…
People with chronic arthritis are faced with a terrible choice: do they suffer from pain every day, or do they take pain relievers with scary side effects? Unfortunately, the pain medications used …
Can You Avoid NSAID Danger with Topical Pain Rel…
Chronic pain, whether it is severe or moderate, poses a serious dilemma. People need relief from pain, but most medications that they can use for relief have significant downsides. People often take N…
Really Bad News About Ibuprofen, Naproxen and Ot…
People who are hurting are in a tough situation. Whether they're suffering from a bad back, arthritis, headaches, nerve pain or fibromyalgia, there aren't many medications that are effective. Doctors …
Medicine for Sore Feet Linked to Unexpected Head…
Arthritis hurts. Different people find the pain hits their joints in a very particular individual pattern, but when a joint hurts, you want relief. What will ease your joint pain? One reader found tha…
Should You Worry About Scary Corticosteroid Side…
Cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone and prednisone are called corticosteroids or glucocorticoids. These drugs dampen an overactive immune reaction. They can soot…
Could Pain Reliever Cause Ringing in the Ears?
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be a maddening problem. No one else can see or hear what is going on for the sufferer, so they get too little sympathy. Even so, the ringing, hissing, chirping or…
Ibuprofen Makes Life Bearable So Do Not Ban It!
Pain is part of the human condition. Sometimes it can be useful, warning us to keep our hands away from flames and sharp tools. Recurrent or chronic pain is not helpful, but it can be extremely diffic…
Should We Ban Ibuprofen?
A study published in the European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy (April, 2017) reports that ibuprofen is associated with a 31% increased risk of cardiac arrest. Now some people are ask…
Do Statin Side Effects Make It Harder To Exercis…
Regular exercise is considered essential for good health. The benefits include weight control, diabetes prevention, blood sugar management, blood lipid control, improved mood, better sleep and a reduc…
Why Is Celecoxib Not Working and What Can People…
Celebrex is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It was supposed to be easier on the stomach than other arthritis drugs. But questions about its heart health slowed sales over the last decade. We r…
Will Ashwagandha Ease Your Severe Arthritis Pain…
People with persistent arthritis pain often find it difficult to get relief. The usual nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, meloxicam or naproxen cause side effects wit…
Do Simvastatin Side Effects Include Diabetes and…
Many physicians tell us that even if statins increase the risk for diabetes, the drug benefits far outweigh any increase in blood glucose. But diabetes is a challenging condition to treat. Then there …
Do Ibuprofen Side Effects Include Scary High Blo…
We have heard ibuprofen referred to as vitamin I. That's because a lot of weekend warriors rely on ibuprofen and other non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve inflammation and pain. …
Is the FDA Biased Against Dietary Supplements?
Will your vitamins or dietary supplements hurt you? Millions of Americans take multivitamins, herbs or other supplements every day. Most people don't worry about possible dangers from these pills. Man…
Will You Wear Your Knees Out If You Run?
Osteoarthritis has long been considered a disease of wear and tear. The older people get, the more likely they are to have pain and inflammation in their joints. That is presumably because of a lifeti…
Is There a Link Between NSAIDs like Ibuprofen an…
Pain relievers like ibuprofen, indomethacin, meloxicam, naproxen and piroxicam have been popular for decades. Tens of millions of people take these non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) daily…
Are ALL Arthritis Drugs Including Celebrex Risky…
The big news out of the American Heart Association meetings in New Orleans is that Celebrex (celecoxib) is no more dangerous for the heart and cardiovascular system than pain relievers like ibuprofen …
How to Avoid Arthritis Pain with a Mediterranean…
A Mediterranean-type diet has been shown to be good for the brain and the heart as well as for controlling blood sugar. Could it also help people avoid arthritis pain? Can You Use a Mediterranean Diet…
Will MSM Ease Pain and Swelling in Arthritic Joi…
Arthritis frequently puts people in a terrible double-bind. The medications that are generally used to ease the pain of stiff joints can have risky side effects. People often rely on over-the-counter …
How to Use Juniper to Fight Arthritis
There are innumerable home remedies reputed to ease the pain of arthritis. One of the perennial favorites is golden raisins soaked in gin. Nobody knows quite how it works, and people have offered a v…
Boswellia Eased Arthritis Pain but Triggered Hot…
You may not have heard of boswellia, but we'll bet you have heard of frankincense. This dietary supplement has been used for a variety of symptoms including inflammation. This reader reported that i…
How to Use Cherry Juice for Your Joint Pain
Whoever said "Growing older isn't for sissies!" probably had arthritis. Although it sometimes strikes younger people, the constant ache in knees and hips can make it hard to keep moving. Pa…
What is the Link Between Fatigue, Joint Pain and…
Hypothyroidism is one of the most common conditions affecting Americans. It is estimated that over 100 million prescriptions are filled annually for thyroid hormones either as levothyroxine (Levothroi…
How to Ease Your Knee Pain
What can you do for your knee pain? People with arthritis have relatively few good options for relief. Often, they may feel as if they are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Hip and knee pain make…
What is the Connection Between Joint Pain and At…
Q. You recently answered a question in your column from someone who complained about arthritis. I think you missed an important point. The reader asked about the pain medication naproxen (Aleve) for h…