Information
NSAID Information
As a child, I began to ask questions about medicine…How did it work? Why did it make pain go away, ect. when I was was injured, and ” that was all the time”, why when I took those three little Advil pills that looked like M&M’s and my pain would go away. But why did it come back? I also learned more, like ice, and heat, and when to use it in conjunction with self-massage. I also learned about exercise, and it was the key, together with ice, heat, massage, that I had total control over my pain, and did not rely on meds for my every ache and pain.
So, at times I may recommend to take Ibuprofen, or other NSAID, and short term use I can be confident I’m not harming my patient or giving them poor advice..I even go as to ask, “do you take NSAIDs, and does it help?” if so, then I know that ice directly to the injured area may help as well, due to the anti-inflammatory effects of constricting blood flow, thus decreasing inflammation. It also tells me that massage, or mobilization of the fluids by use of the muscle pump, or joints in that matter may also pump old stagnated inflammation from the area. “and now, I know that proper placement of acupuncture needles to the skin, muscle, and fascia, may as well disperse these fluids. Oh, K-tape may provide the superficial transport of the exudate (yucky fluid), out of the area by use of the lymphatic and circulatory systems.
So it is just funny to me now being a “DR” that I get the response into “should I take meds?”..And, well I tell them it is up to you. Follow the recommended medical advice if you wish, and at times it may be completely necessary..However, for musculo-skeletal issues there is a MUCH BETTER WAY to achieve the beneficial effects of what these compounds are trying to achieve in your body.
You see, I was taught physiology and biochemistry in school, it just makes sense that in order to “heal” or improve this physio and biochem, we must look at what BUILDS rather than which INTERFERES…Although I did study pathology, my pharmacology is limited, and I can only recommend based off my knowledge of the subject…
The bottom line is I teach and promote good structure, and nutrition and biochemistry place a critical role in this. The pain may go away, and the tissue will eventually heal…But will it heal properly? Will there be scar tissue? Will it be structurally sound? Stronger? Weaker? Chances of Re-Injury? I have read, that NSAIDs among other things listed below, delay the second phase of the healing process, the synthesis of collagen formation. So short term I guess…If you choose.
Reasons to avoid the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
1. “…femoral head collapse and acceleration of osteoarthritis have been well documented in association with the NSAIDs…
Ref. newman NM, Lancet acetabular bone destruction related to non-steroidal ani-inflammatory drugs. 1985
2. NSAIDs have many common and serious adverse effects, including destruction of joints of the body.
3. Gastric ulceration and gastrointestinal bleeding. Nearly all NSAIDS promote gastric ulceration and bleeding. Of chronic NSAID users, 65% will develop intestinal inflammation and up to 30% will develop gastroduodenal ulceration. Aspirin appears to be the most problematic to the stomach. NSAIDs can also promote and exacerbate colitis and inflammation of the large intestine.
Ref. Scand J Rheumatol Suppl. 1996. J Int Med Res 1977. Int J Colorectal Dis. 1996
4. Increased gut permeability. “Basically Leak Gut Syndrome” This exacerbates and perpetuates some of the rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders by inducing inflammation by immune activation and by promoting the formation of immune complexes that are then deposited into synovial tissures, which then induce local joint inflammatory response within the joint.
Ref. Rhem Dis Clin North Am. 1991Promotion of joint necrosis and cartilage destruction.
5. Many of the NSAID drugs interfere with chondrocyte function and cartilage formation and thus promote the destruction of joints.They reduce glycosaminoglycan synthesis, which are the very components within the disc, which hydrate and provide nutrients to the disc. IE..the need for Glucosamine, Chondrotin, MSM, Hyaluronic Acid, Vit. C, Manganese, ect.
Ref. Am J Med. 1987
6. Promotion of kidney injury and failure. Chronic users of NSAIDs is an important risk factor for the development of renal failure. Acetaminophen is the primary culprit, and increased with alcohol consumption.
Ref. Br J Rheumatol. 1995
Sweat Rate Calculation:
1) Weigh yourself nude right before a run.
2) Run at race pace for one hour, keeping track of how much you drink (in ounces) during the run.
3) After the run, strip down, towel off any sweat, and weigh yourself nude again.
4) Subtract your weight from your pre-run weight and convert to ounces. Then add to that number however many ounces of liquid you consumed on your run. (For example, if you lost a pound and drank 16 ounces of fluid, your total fluid loss is 32 ounces.)
5) To determine how much you should be drinking about every 15 minutes, divide your hourly fluid loss by 4 (in the above example it would be 8 ounces).
6) Because the test only determines your sweat losses for the environmental conditions you run in that day, you should retest on another day when conditions are different to see how your sweat rate is affected. You should also redo the test during different seasons, in different environments (such as higher or lower altitudes), and as you become faster, since pace also affects your sweat rate.
Hydration Calculator:
When working out in the heat of North Texas, hydration is super important. Not only can the effects of hydration reduce our ability to perform, they can also inhibit our body’s ability to repair. We often treat patients and can physically feel the affects of dehydration. Think of it like this…would you rather have your muscles feel like a nice juicy steak or a bag of beef jerky? Here is a website that interestingly enough is put out by Coca Cola. It has the best hydration calculator that we have found and a lot of great tips on hydration. Click Here