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HOW TO SURVIVE YOUR DOCTOR: NSAIDS
In the beginning was Salacylic acid. Extracted from the willow leaf, Salacylic acid was prescribed by Roman physicians to ease the pain of Caesar\'s Arthritis. Salacylic acid was brought into modern usage in the form of Aspirin towards the end of the 19th Century. Aspirin is the prototype of all NSAID drugs now used in the treatment of arthritis.
The Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs were developed to provide the therapeutic effects of Aspirin; without aspirin like side effects. To a large extent the modern multinational pharmaceutical giants have failed in this endeavour. Like Aspirin all the NSAIDS produce gastric bleeding and peptic ulceration - especially in the elderly, the very group most likely to be taking NSAIDS for the relief of their arthritis.
It is fair to say that the NSAIDS do dramatically reduce the pain, stiffness and swelling of arthritic joints. They can also be used to lower a high temperature. NSAIDS have been developed, which do not need to be taken every four hours as aspirin does. It must also be emphasized that no NSAID is more potent in its effects than Aspirin.
There are now scores of NSAIDS available in the market place. The long list includes all of the following: Brufen, Clinoril, Dolobid, Ecotrin, Feldene, Indocid, Naprosyn, Orudis, Tilcotil and Voltaren.
Home Remedies
Never take Aspirin or other NSAIDS for more than a week at a time. 20 per cent of people that take NSAIDS for more than four weeks develop ulceration of the stomach. Always take NSAIDS with food or milk. If pain and disability are so severe that medication cannot be avoided ask the doctor to prescribe Misoprostol. Dispensed as Cytotec this product opposes the ulcer producing properties of aspirin and the NSAIDS.
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GENERAL HEALTH
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