People's Pharmacy

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Arthritis Sufferers Caught In Dilemma

Posting Date: 09/05/2005

The Nurses Health Study has been following thousands of women for decades. Women who regularly took more than 500 mg of acetaminophen daily nearly doubled their chance of developing hypertension over three years. Long-term use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen was also associated with a greater risk of hypertension. Only aspirin was not found to raise blood pressure (Hypertension, Sept. 2005).

What does this mean for people with arthritis or other chronic conditions? Sadly, there are no easy answers.

Allowing pain to restrict activities is a bad solution. That?s why millions of arthritis victims are looking for alternative therapies. For some, glucosamine and chondroitin may provide relief. Others turn to massage, acupuncture or home remedies such as gin-soaked raisins, Certo and grape juice or the Indian spice turmeric.

We have collected a number of these suggestions in our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis. Readers who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. AA-2, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Until safer pain relievers become available, people will need to experiment to find ways to manage their chronic pain.

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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.org.

2005 King Features Syndicate, Inc.