anti-inflammation drugs significantly increase chances of death

We have known for years that INFLAMMATION is the driving factor in the vast majority of today’s disease processes.  These diseases include all the heavy hitters — killers and life-wreckers such as DIABETES, HEART DISEASE, CANCER, ARTHRITIS, DEPRESSION, HIGH CHOLESTEROL, MOST AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES, SEXUAL PROBLEMS such as ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION, etc, etc, etc.  Thus, it would make sense to come up with drugs that work against Inflammation.  The drug companies beat you to the punch by thinking of this decades ago.  They are called “Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs” (NSAIDS), and have been around since the 1950’s.  And while they often times work in near-miraculous fashion, they frequently have large numbers of serious side effects (click HERE to read about the Seattle Seahawks’ Kenny Easley).

Most people are aware of some of the dangers associated with CORTICOSTEROIDS.   But despite the fact that there are hundreds of studies showing how dangerous — and even deadly — NSAIDs are, this fact seems to go over the heads of the majority of our population.  The truth is, before Vioxx was taken off the market almost a decade ago, NSAIDS were a “Top 20” leading cause of death in the US (I have seen both 17th and 13th kicked around).  When I first saw these statistics, I remember thinking how crazy it was that so many Americans who were terrified of CHIROPRACTORS were completely unfazed by taking copious amounts of Anti-Inflammatory medications.  Why was the cause of death for these people taking anti-inflammatory drugs?  Along with the GI Bleeds (bleeding ulcers), Cardiovascular problems led the list.  Exactly how bad is this problem today?  Frankly, it is out of control.  Case in point, two studies published back in 2011.

The first I will mention is the study published in the January issue of the British Medical Journal called, “Cardiovascular Safety of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Network Meta-Analysis”  What were the conclusions of this study as far as heart health is concerned in relationship to NSAIDS?  The authors wrote that, “Little evidence exists to suggest that any of the investigated drugs are safe in cardiovascular terms.”  Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

The May 2011 issue of the Journal of the American Hearth Association followed up by looking at over 83,000 patients.  What did their study have to say on the matter?  “Overall, NSAID treatment was significantly associated with an increased risk of death / recurrent MI [Myocardial Infarction —- Heart Attack].   Despite the fact that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are contraindicated among patients with established cardiovascular disease, many receive NSAID treatment anyway……  Even short-term treatment with most NSAIDs was associated with increased risk of death and recurrent MI in patients with prior MI. Neither short- nor long-term treatment with NSAIDs is advised in this population, and any NSAID use should be limited from a cardiovascular safety point of view.“

Why don’t you take a look at THIS POST on my “Top Ten” ways for dealing with Arthritis Pain naturally?  Believe me when I tell you; your heart will thank you for it.