Arthritis victims prone to stomach illness

Persons suffering from arthritis are more likely to develop upset stomachs. Medical researchers say most persons with arthritis have taken traditional pain killers like aspirin. Although these drugs ease the pain and inflammation, there is always a downside. These drugs often lead to more trouble, including upset stomachs and bleeding ulcers.

There are some 20 traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, including aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin and piroxicam. These drugs can bother the gastrointestinal tract in a number of different ways, says Robert Hoffman, MD, chief of rheumatology at the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine . He added that gastritis, esophageal reflux disease [heartburn or GERD] and bleeding ulcers are all problems that can develop from NSAIDs.

Though there are a few things you can do to reduce stomach upsets, there are no guarantees that serious problems won't develop - serious enough to mean hospitalization and even death, he adds.

Older people with other medical problems are at especially increased risk. These findings have prompted medical advisors to shift from pain relievers without or with less concentration of these components. Some recommend other types of pain relievers like Tromadol which is NSAID-free. Tramadol belongs to a class of drugs known as opioid analgesics. It is available online through drugstoretm.com. It relieves pain but does not hurt the stomach.

Dr. Hoffman added that sour stomach, abdominal pain, dark stools, bright blood in stools and passing out are all symptoms of problems like stomach ulcers. However, many people don't have any symptoms even though they have serious or life-threatening bleeding, he added.
Another symptom is vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.

It is then highly recommended that patients with arthritis consult their doctors for proper medication than self-medicate. Self-medication may give them more harm than good.