| September
9, 2007
Link Uncovered Between Enlarged Prostate And
Common OTC Drugs
Men with slow urine flow from enlargement of the prostate gland
(known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) should avoid anything
that makes the situation worse and that includes some medications.
The most common offenders are over the counter cold and allergy
remedies. Now, some research suggests that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, may also affect
the prostate's function, reports the September 2007 issue of Harvard
Men's Health Watch.
Researchers in the Netherlands found that the risk of acute urinary
retention (severe difficulty urinating) was twice as high in men
taking NSAIDs as in men who were not using them. By contrast,
though, researchers in America evaluating the long-term effects
of NSAIDs on the prostate found that daily NSAID use was linked
to a reduced risk of developing BPH symptoms and slow urinary
flow rates.
At first glance the studies seem contradictory, but a closer
look suggests that NSAIDs may be both friend and foe, depending
on the stage of BPH and the part of the urinary tract that's vulnerable.
The American study evaluated the onset of BPH symptoms. There
is emerging evidence that inflammation may play a role in development
of BPH. If that's the case, regular NSAID use might delay the
onset of symptoms. The Dutch study, which evaluated established
cases of acute urinary retention, found that men who had recently
begun taking NSAIDs were at the highest risk. These men may already
have been developing BPH for years before taking the NSAIDs. And
the NSAIDs may have caused trouble by acting on the bladder, not
the prostate.
Harvard Men's Health Watch suggests that if men notice an increase
in BPH symptoms while taking an NSAID, they should inform their
doctors and reduce or avoid NSAIDs.
Harvard Health Publications
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Comments:
Numerous recent studies have shown that OTC (over the counter)
medications including NSAIDs (like ibuprofen, naproxen etc)
are associated with serious side effects like heartburn,
gastritis, gastric ulcers, high blood pressure, kidney and
liver problems etc. The above study shows that they can
also worsen benign prostrate hyperplasia.
The public needs to be aware that just because medicines
are available over-the-counter it does not mean they are
free of risk. Also in this light it must be emphasized that
though some recent studies have shown chemo preventive effects
of NSAIDs including aspirin for cancers, the public have
to be aware that these chemicals are associated with side
effects. When it comes to prevention it is best to use natural
supplements. Dr. Rath's research clearly shows that cancer
can be approached in a safe and effective way by using synergistic
combinations of specific natural nutrients instead of harmful
synthetic molecules. To find more details about our research
on cancer, please visit www.drrathresearch.org |
|
