The Dark Side of NSAIDS: Exploring the Dangers of Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Ibuprofen and Naproxen are commonly prescribed anti inflammatory medications

However, using them will kill you

I'll explain the dark side of NSAIDS below pic.twitter.com/IwwNsB12Zc

— BowTied Kobra, Rehab Guy (@bowtiedkobra) March 24, 2023

To understand why NSAIDS are bad, we need to quickly dive into some inflammatory mediators/pathways in the body Cox 1 and 2

These are enzymes that:

-create prostaglandins (needed for inflammation response)
-create thromboxane (helps clotting)
-provide blood flow to the kidneys

— BowTied Kobra, Rehab Guy (@bowtiedkobra) March 24, 2023

Cox 1

-helps keep platelets together to stop bleeding (clot)

-facilitates blood flow to the kidneys

-protects your stomach lining

— BowTied Kobra, Rehab Guy (@bowtiedkobra) March 24, 2023

Cox 2

-primarily works to assist with inflammation

-it is produced on an as needed basis by the body

— BowTied Kobra, Rehab Guy (@bowtiedkobra) March 24, 2023

These were extremely brief overviews but should give an idea as to what these enzymes are responsible for

There can be cases made to try and inhibit these enzymes in certain diseases/conditions

— BowTied Kobra, Rehab Guy (@bowtiedkobra) March 24, 2023

The problem with Ibuprofen and Naproxen is that they are "non selective Cox inhibitors"

These means that they decrease the Cox 1 and 2 enzymes without bias, which is a bad deal

— BowTied Kobra, Rehab Guy (@bowtiedkobra) March 24, 2023

Dangers of Cox 1 Inhibition:

-GI distress
-Ulcers (found in 10-30% of frequent NSAIDS users)
-intestinal bleeding

— BowTied Kobra, Rehab Guy (@bowtiedkobra) March 24, 2023

Dangers of Cox 2 Inhibition:

-Stroke
-Blood clot
-Heart attack

— BowTied Kobra, Rehab Guy (@bowtiedkobra) March 24, 2023

Dangers of General Cox Inhibition

-Sodium and water retention
-Hypertension
-Kidney damage pic.twitter.com/sfd4enjqaL

— BowTied Kobra, Rehab Guy (@bowtiedkobra) March 24, 2023

Overall NSAID risk:

-Elevated blood pressure
-Increased risk of kidney failure
-Blood pressure meds become less effective
-Reduce the anti blood clotting effects of Aspirin
-Increased risk for cardiovascular pathology pic.twitter.com/kIzqpVeR2e

— BowTied Kobra, Rehab Guy (@bowtiedkobra) March 24, 2023

TLDR

NSAIDS are bad and you should do everything in your power to avoid them

Inflammation is a natural part of healing and you should not risk organ health to reduce a normal and needed occurrence pic.twitter.com/OytgdTbXCx

— BowTied Kobra, Rehab Guy (@bowtiedkobra) March 24, 2023

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— BowTied Kobra, Rehab Guy (@bowtiedkobra) March 24, 2023