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Pain
Relief: Is There an Alternative?
Copyright © 2005 Louise Roach
SnowPack USA
http://www.snowpackusa.com/
Do
you rely on Vioxx, Celebrex or Aleve (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs or NSAIDs) to ease pain? If you suffer from inflammatory arthritis
or pain due to injuries, you probably are familiar with one of these
drugs. No doubt you have also heard recent reports linking some
NSAIDs with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
Belonging to a class called Cox-2 inhibitors, the drugs in question
work by reducing inflammation and pain, while having a minimal effect
on stomach bleeding and ulcers. But several studies have raised
questions as to the long-term consequences of using Vioxx, Celebrex,
Aleve and, possibly, other drugs in this classification. What are
the facts and do you have an alternative for pain relief?
According
to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:
"FDA
is issuing an advisory because of recently released data from controlled
clinical trials showing that the COX-2 selective agents (Vioxx,
Celebrex, and Bextra) may be associated with an increased risk of
serious cardiovascular events (heart attack and stroke) especially
when they are used for long periods of time or in very high risk
settings (immediately after heart surgery)." Dec. 23, 2004
"Also,
as FDA announced earlier this week, preliminary results from a long-term
clinical trial (up to three years) suggest that long-term use of
a non-selective NSAID, naproxen (sold as Aleve, Naprosyn and other
trade name and generic products), may be associated with an increased
cardiovascular (CV) risk compared to placebo." Dec. 23, 2004
The
Results:
Vioxx
was voluntarily pulled from the market September 30, 2004.
The
FDA notified healthcare professionals to consider the risk that
cardiovascular events may be increased in patients receiving Celebrex.
The
FDA urged consumers buying over-the-counter medications such as
Aleve, to strictly follow label directions.
The
FDA is analyzing all available information from recent studies to
determine whether additional regulatory action is needed.
Ice
Therapy: A Pain Relief Alternative
In
this day and age when taking a pill might seem like the easiest
solution, it's not always the best. Is there an alternative to medication
for pain relief? Yes! One of the oldest and safest methods of controlling
pain and inflammation is ice therapy. Proven to be effective at
reducing swelling, numbing pain and decreasing muscle spasms, ice
therapy is an easy self-care technique. Compared to the medications
discussed, ice therapy has no side effects, including the fear of
heart complications.
Most
doctors and therapists recommend using an ice pack to treat acute
and chronic pain, as well as help with joint inflammation.* Using
an ice pack immediately after an injury occurs can dramatically
reduce recovery time. Every runner knows that icing sore knees after
a long run will get them back in the race faster. Ice is also one
of the best ways to reduce swelling and bruising after surgery.
What
is the best type of ice therapy to use? The easiest is a plastic
bag filled with ice and water. But this can be a messy method that
does not conform to joints. Some people use a bag of frozen peas.
Better -- but not reusable. Plus frozen peas defrost quickly, leaving
a soggy mush. A more reliable ice therapy is a commercial cold pack.
There are many available with each brand having its own range of
features.
If
you have decided to decrease your use of pain medication and want
a reliable method of ice therapy, look for a commercial cold pack
with the following benefits:
Stays
cold for 1 to 2 hours. This allows you to have several icing sessions
without wasting time returning it to the freezer.
Molds
flexibly to help you ice rounded areas of the body such as knees
and elbows.
Can
be reused many times, which saves you money and offers peace of
mind that your ice therapy will be there when you need it.
Melts
like ice. A cold pack that lasts a long time will numb your pain
and protect your skin against frostbite better than one that lasts
only 30 minutes. Short-lasting ice packs deliver a hard hit of cold
with a dramatic drop in temperature, which can hurt your skin.
Is
non-toxic (free of chemicals and dyes) and latex-free to keep you
safe from poisoning and skin irritation.
Has
a versatile cover to protect your skin from too much cold.
Easy
to use on any part of the body, again saving you money because there
is no need to buy different ice pack sizes or covers to fit different
body parts.
Next
time you feel a knee twinge or your lower back pain is acting up,
reach for an ice pack instead of pain medication. It may save your
life!
Ruling
from the FDA:
http://www.fda.gov/
For
more information on using ice therapy:
http://www.snowpackusa.com/BeInformed.html
Special
Note: if you have problems with circulation or diabetes, you should
consult with your doctor before applying ice therapy.
Disclaimer:
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional
medical treatment or consultation. Always consult with your physician
in the event of a serious injury.
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Louise Roach: health and fitness editor, marketing
specialist, and product development consultant. She helps others
find pain relief through the use of SnowPack Cold Therapy products.
Learn more about the benefits of cold therapy at: http://www.snowpackusa.com/
Sign up for *free* health/fitness e-newsletter at: http://home.netcom.com/~newsflash/
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