Why You Shouldnt Load Up On Nsaids For Ic Bladder Or Pelvic Pain
When you struggle with IC and/or chronic pain and dont have access to traditional pain relievers, using an OTC pain relief pill may feel like your only option. Right? I, like most patients, turned to Advil and Tylenol to help reduce my bladder pain when I was first diagnosed. Seriously, IC can hurt terribly and if its the middle of the night, its fairly natural to turn to that easy bottle sitting on the bathroom shelf. But, heres the problem. These OTC pain products have some risks, especially when used over the long term.
Acetaminophen is well known for its liver damaging effects when used in high quantities. Harvards Family Health Guide wrote Four thousand milligrams a day about 12 regular-strength acetaminophen tablets is considered the safe upper limit, but that might be too much for some people. Large doses are the main risk, but there are reports of people developing liver problems after taking small to moderate amounts of acetaminophen for long periods of time.
I was particularly fond of using NSAIDs which I started using when I was playing the Jr. Tennis circuit. Honestly, I think I took one or two a day for a decade or two to first reduce muscle pain and, later bladder pain, having no clue of the risks that they posed. Yes, I was young and stupid. Reality hit when the medication finally blew my stomach up in my 30s. I havent taken one since. NSAIDs are notorious for their stomach irritating effects.
So what should we do?
Update July 15, 2015
What Is Phenazopyridine And How Does It Work
Phenazopyridine is used to relieve symptoms caused by irritation of the urinary tract such as pain, burning, and the feeling of needing to urinate urgently or frequently. Phenazopyridine does not treat the cause of the urinary irritation, but it can help relieve the symptoms while other treatments take effect. Phenazopyridine is a dye that works as a painkiller to soothe the lining of the urinary tract.
- Phenazopyridine is available under the following different brand names: Azo Standard, Pyridium, Prodium, Pyridiate, Baridium, Uricalm, Urodine, and UTI Relief.
Common Conditions People Have *:
* Approximation only. Some reports may have incomplete information.
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How To Prevent A Uti
While some individuals may be at higher risk for a UTI, there are plenty of lifestyle changes you can practice to prevent infections.
- Stay well hydrated: Drinking water will help dilute your urine and continually flush bacteria from your bladder.
- Try cranberry juice: Some studies suggest that cranberries contain an active ingredient that can prevent bacteria like e.coli from adhering to the bladder or urinary tract. Be mindful of the ingredients, as some cranberry juices can be quite high in sugar. Look for pure cranberry juice or take a cranberry extract supplement.
- Dont fight the urge to urinate:Urinating frequently can help flush bacteria from the bladder, and reduce your risk of recurring UTIs. Try not to hold in your pee for too long.
- Practice good personal hygiene: Always wipe from front to back after using the bathroom to prevent the transferring of unwanted bacteria to the urethra. While menstruating, women should change tampons and pads frequently.
- Use the bathroom immediately after sexual activity: During sexual activity, including masturbation, bacteria from the rectal area can get pushed towards the opening of the urethra. Peeing right after sexual contact helps to flush any bacteria out of the urinary system and prevents infections.
- Switch to breathable, cotton underwear: Bacteria thrives in warm, moist environments, so avoiding synthetic, tight-fitting underwear and thongs can help prevent infections.
What Is The Latest Research On Bladder Pain Syndrome Treatment
Researchers continue to search for new ways to treat bladder pain. Some current studies focus on:
- New medicines to treat bladder pain
- Meditation as a way to control bladder pain
- The role of genetics in bladder pain
- Acupuncture treatment
To learn more about current bladder pain treatment studies, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
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Ibuprofen And Bladder Irritation A Phase Iv Clinical
Urinary Tract Infections And Self
Shireen N. Farzadeh, PharmD Candidate 2019St. Johns University, College of Pharmacy & Health SciencesQueens, New York
Emily M. Ambizas, PharmD, MPH, BCGPAssociate Clinical ProfessorSt. Johns University, College of Pharmacy & Health SciencesQueens, New YorkClinical Specialist, Rite Aid PharmacyWhitestone, New York
US Pharm. 2017 9:4-7.
Urinary tract infections are the most commonly occurring infections, affecting approximately 150 million people worldwide each year.1 In the United States alone, the societal costs of UTIs are estimated to be $3.5 billion annually.1 UTIs can affect both men and women, but they are especially common in women of childbearing age.2 Most women will experience at least one episode during their lifetime by 32 years of age, more than half of all women will have reported having at least one urinary tract infection.2,3 Almost 25% of women will have a recurrent infection within a year.2
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Could Painkillers Prevent Recurring Urinary Tract Infections
An estimated 50% of all women will experience a urinary tract infection at some point in their lives, and 20-40% of these women will have recurring infections, putting them at risk for kidney and bloodstream infections. But now, new research suggests over-the-counter painkillers could help prevent such infections from occurring.
Investigators from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO, presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.
They found that, by inhibiting an immune protein that causes inflammation called COX-2 they were able to eliminate repeat urinary tract infections in mice. The team explains that COX-2 can be blocked by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , which includes ibuprofen.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , urinary tract infections are responsible for around 4 million ambulatory-care visits every year in the US.
Most UTIs are caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli, which lives in the bowel. While men also get UTIs, women are especially prone to them because their urethra is shorter which allows bacteria better access to the bladder and a womans urethral opening is in proximity to bacteria sources from the anus and vagina.
Each time a woman has a UTI, her chances of having recurrent infections increases, and severe infections with can even be fatal.
Hannan further comments:
What Natural Supplements Can I Take To Prevent Another Uti
There is little evidence that natural supplements can prevent UTIs, but you can try cranberry supplements or probiotics. Cranberries contain antioxidants that may help prevent bacteria in the urinary tract from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. Drinking 10 to 30 oz of cranberry juice per day may be beneficial. Probiotics may help prevent UTIs by supporting the bodys natural microorganisms in the flora.
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Avoid Food And Beverages That May Irritate The Bladder
The most common bladder irritants are alcohol, caffeinated drinks, carbonated beverages, and spicy dishes.
Both caffeine and alcohol have been found to increase bladder spasming, which can make UTI pain worse. And when men and women increased their intake of coffee or soda, they had higher chances of getting UTI symptoms.
Aspirin Ibuprofen And Intestinal Disorders
Ever since aspirin hit the market in the late 1800s, it has been a fixture in medicine cabinets everywhere — and for good reason. It erases headaches, soothes arthritis, lowers fevers, helps prevent heart disease, and may even ward off some types of cancer. If it were discovered today, doctors would hail it as a medical breakthrough.
But for some people, aspirin has a serious downside — especially if taken regularly. At the same time it’s easing your pain, it could be giving you an ulcer. Aspirin is just one of many painkillers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , which can cause serious damage to your digestive system. Other members of the NSAID class include the over-the-counter pain relievers ibuprofen and naproxen and at least 15 prescription drugs.
The danger is real. According to Postgraduate Medicine, more than 100,000 Americans are hospitalized each year with intestinal trouble caused by aspirin and other NSAIDs. Fortunately, only a small percentage of cases are fatal.
Why are NSAIDs hard on the stomach?
How do NSAIDS undermine the stomach’s defenses? All block an enzyme called cyclooxygenase 1, or COX-1. This enzyme helps prevent ulcers by enhancing blood flow to the stomach and increasing the production of protective mucous. If there’s a shortage of COX-1, your stomach may not develop its usual protective lining, making it more vulnerable to attack by stomach acid.
Who is at risk for NSAIDs-related intestinal trouble?
References
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Are There Any Other Precautions Or Warnings For This Medication
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
What Other Drugs Could Interact With This Medication
There may be an interaction between ibuprofen and any of the following:
- acalabrutinib
- aminoglycoside antibiotics
- anagrelide
- angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
- angiotensin receptor blockers
- anticoagulants
- apixaban
- beta-adrenergic blockers
- bimatoprost
- corticosteroids
- cyclosporine
- diuretics
- edoxaban
- glucosamine
- haloperidol
- herbal medications that affect blood clotting
- hydralazine
- other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
- omega-3 fatty acids
- quinolone antibiotics
- rivaroxaban
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
- sodium phosphates
- tricyclic antidepressants
- vaccines
- voriconazole
- warfarin
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 2021. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Nu-Ibuprofen
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Most Read Local Stories
The new sleeping pill is called Intermezzo. It is designed to dissolve under the tongue for fast action in the middle of the night. It is actually a low dose of the drug zolpidem, the active ingredient in the sleeping pill Ambien.
Should you wish a different approach, here is an intriguing story from a reader: I never liked beets, but my wife does. I have come to enjoy barszcz, which is a sweet/sour soup made from beets with either a meat or vegetable stock.
I am 63 years old and have the normal urinary symptoms of an aging prostate. When we have barszcz it is so satisfying to be able to empty my bladder completely and get back to sleep.
I am not mistaken about the correlation, as I have repeated the experiment many times. I now grow beets in my garden!
Q: Where can I find out more about grapefruit interactions with medicines? I would like to know which prescription drugs are negatively affected. My pharmacist couldnt tell me whether red yeast rice that I take to lower my cholesterol would be affected by grapefruit.
A: Grapefruit can raise blood levels of lovastatin, the ingredient in red yeast rice. This might increase the risk for side effects. Atorvastatin and simvastatin also are affected, as are some blood pressure drugs and sleeping pills.
The tinnitus came back years later, and again I used Tegretol to get rid of the annoying noise.
Can Home Remedies Quickly Treat A Uti
As resistance to antibiotics is becoming more common, many people are looking for ways to avoid using them. While this can be a good thing in some cases, it can draw out your illness in other instances.
The most commonly asked about home remedy for UTIs is cranberry. Drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry tablets has been long-touted as a natural alternative for treating UTIs. The thought is that cranberry makes your urine more acidic which, in turn, kills the bacteria causing your infection.
Unfortunately, cranberry does not treat UTIs very well. On the flip side, though, it can be useful for helping to prevent infections if youre prone to them. This seems to also be the case for other acidic fruits like lemon. Just be sure if youre going to try this for preventing future UTIs that you drink unsweetened juice, as sugar actually helps bacteria to grow.
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What Are The Implications
There is need to reduce antibiotic use to tackle growing antibiotic resistance. But this study doesn’t indicate that prescribing anti-inflammatories for urinary tract infection is the answer.
Women who have several symptoms are almost certain to have a bacterial infection. Giving anti-inflammatories may reduce antibiotic use, but symptom resolution is less likely, and there is a higher risk that infection will ascend to the kidneys.
As the authors note, they chose an antibiotic with known effectiveness in their region. In countries and settings with higher levels of antibiotic resistance, the difference between antibiotics and NSAIDs may be less marked.
How To Cope With Side Effects
What to do about:
- feeling sick take nitrofurantoin with or after a meal or snack. It may also help if you avoid rich or spicy food.
- being sick and diarrhoea drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash to avoid dehydration. Take small, frequent sips if you feel sick. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea or vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
- loss of appetite eat when you would usually expect to be hungry. If it helps, eat smaller meals more often than usual. Snack when you’re hungry. Have nutritious snacks that are high in calories and protein, such as dried fruit and nuts.
- headaches make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Painkillers you can buy without a prescription, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, are safe to take with nitrofurantoin. Speak to your doctor if these do not help with the headaches or the headaches are severe.
- dizziness or feeling sleepy if nitrofurantoin makes you feel dizzy, stop what you’re doing and sit or lie down until you feel better.
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Treatment For Interstitial Cystitis
Unfortunately, there is no simple treatment to eliminate the symptoms of interstitial cystitis, and no one treatment works for everyone. Some options do offer some relief, however. Medications
Most commonly doctors prescribe an oral medication called pentosan . Elmiron is the only oral drug approved by the FDA specifically for interstitial cystitis. Some say that the drug may restore the inner surface of the bladder, which protects the bladder wall from substances in the urine that could irritate it.
It takes two to four months before a patient begins to feel pain relief, and up to six months to experience a decrease in urinary frequency. There are also several possible side effects such as minor gastrointestinal disturbances and possible hair loss. Not for use by pregnant women, Elmiron may cause bleeding and loss of pregnancy. Other oral medications that may improve the symptoms of interstitial cystitis include ibuprofen and other non-steroidal pain medications.
Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline or imipramine , may help relax the bladder and block pain. They can also, of course, help with the depression that may be associated with interstitial cystitis. Nerve root modulationSacral nerves, which run from the lower spinal cord to the bladder, pelvic floor, and lower bowel, regulate bladder and bowel control. A method of nerve stimulation called sacral nerve root modulation can be very helpful for people with interstitial cystitis.