Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are used both for pain control and for controlling inflammation.  Drugs in this category include Ibuprofen, Naproxyn, Aleve, Orudis, Feldene, Relafen, Ansaid, etc.  All of these drugs have shown to have side effects.

1.  Gastrointestinal Side Effects: Some common complaints include nausea, stomach upset and bloating.  More serious side effects include gastric bleeding and ulcers.  Urgent problems such as complaints of significant fatigue, lightheadedness, vomiting blood, stools with blood or black discoloration might indicate gastrointestinal bleeding.  NSAIDS may also cause liver abnormalities, manifesting as Jaundice, yellow skin or yellow discoloration of the eyes.

2.  Skin rashes: Hypersensitivity to the drugs can cause diffuse or localized skin rashes.

3.  Respiratory problems: These medicines can cause various respiratory problems, with the most severe problems being angioedema with tongue swelling and respiratory compromise or asthma.  Patients with asthma can have wheezing or serious bronchospasms caused by sensitivity to aspirin or other NSAIDS.

4.  Bleeding Disorders: Can be caused secondary to temporary inhibition of platelet function.  Can present as nosebleeds or increased bleeding at the site of a bruise, sprain, etc.

5.  Mental Status Change: Patients may report depressed mood, problems with cognition or memory, agitation or confusion.

Cortisone and possible side effects:

1.  Oral Cortisone: Can cause edema (swelling in face and peripheral tissues), increased energy, increased appetite, or mental status changes.  Occasionally older individuals may have severe mental status changes including those of a psychotic episode.

2.  Localized Cortisone Injection: Injection within a joint space can have increased pain in the joint area for a few days.  Occasionally patient can develop an infection after a joint injection, presenting as localized joint swelling, fever, redness, warmth, lymphatic streaks and very painful joint motion.

3.  Anti-depressant Medications:  Tricyclic anti-depressants such as Elavil, Pamelor, Doxpin and Trazadone are often used in low doses to decrease pain responses in patients with chronic pain or radiculopathy.  These may cause sedation, dry mouth, orthostatic hypotension, or fatigue.  Patients may present with neurologic side effects such as anxiety, restlessness, agitation, insomnia, panic, alterations in sensation, peripheral neuropathy, problems with coordination, tremor, etc.  Newer drugs such as Prozac and Zoloft tend to have less side effects (rash, palpitations, headaches, nausea and insomnia), however tend to be less effective for chronic pain.

4.  Muscle Relaxant: Medications such as Flexeril, Robaxin, etc. may cause cardiac rhythm disturbances, drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty with coordination and speech, muscle twitching, alterations in mood, dry mouth, etc.

5.  Injections: Spinal epidural, facet, nerve root blocks to decrease inflammation may cause increased pain locally first few days after the injection.  Neck stiffness and fever resulting 24-48 hours of the injection may signify developing arachnoiditis or meningitis.

6.  Proliferative or Sclerotherapy (Prolotherapy): Designed to cause local inflammatory effect to enable ligaments to develop increased collagen and increasing strength.  Side effects may manifest as swelling, warmth, pain with motion, redness or fever.

Some natural anti-inflammatory and pain relief solutions:

1. Mahanarayan Oil: herbal oil for massage after injuries
2. Kaishore guggulu tablets for reducing pain and inflammation
3. Turmeric  natural anti-inflammatory
4. Shilajit  detoxifies and strengthens joints
5. Boswellia Serrata (Sallaki) for healthy joints
6. Omega 3 Fatty Acids  important for joint, heart and brain health

Tweetables:

A Guide of Cortisone and Possible Side Effects  [Click To Tweet]
NSAIDs: Drug List, Names, and Side Effects [Click To Tweet]
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: A Closer Look at the Risks and its Side Effects [Click To Tweet]

*This information is for education purposes only.  Please consult your Physician, Physical Therapist or Wellness Practitioner before starting any rehabilitation, wellness or fitness program.  These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.  These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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