Anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used to treat conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the body. The body’s immune system releases inflammatory cells in response to infections but also in response to injured tissues. Inflammation related to tissue injury results in pain, swelling, warmth and redness in the affected area. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, reduce chemical signals related to pain and inflammation, which can lead to a significant improvement in symptoms. Although effective, NSAIDs have common side effects that patients should be aware of.
Stomach Bleeding
MayoClinic.com states that NSAIDs may cause stomach bleeding. The stomach contains strong acids that are used to digest food. A mucus layer prevents acids from digesting the stomach lining. NSAIDs block the chemical signals that lead to formation of the mucus layer in the stomach, which can result in serious stomach damage. Over time, stomach acids can continue damaging stomach tissue and cause bleeding in the stomach. A patient with stomach bleeding will experience stomach pain, nausea, bloody vomit, bloody mucus with a cough, or bloody stools. This is a serious side effects of NSAID use that requires emergency medical treatment. Left untreated, the patient can suffer serious life-threatening internal bleeding.
Dark Urine
NSAIDs may cause a patient to have dark urine, states Drugs.com. This occurs because chronic NSAID use can result in kidney damage. The kidneys are important in regulating the water content of the body, adjusting electrolytes and filtering blood. NSAIDs can constrict blood vessels in the kidneys, which can seriously stress kidney function. Damaged kidneys can bleed and leak blood into the urinary tract, which causes brown-colored urine. Many conditions can cause urine color changes; therefore, proper assessment and treatment is required. A patient should not hesitate to seek immediate medical treatment to prevent further kidney damage.
Chest Pain
According to MayoClinic.com, NSAIDs can cause chest pain. This occurs because NSAIDs can shrink blood vessels in the heart, which can increase the risk of developing chest pain. Chest pain is a serious symptom that may be a sign of a heart attack. Other symptoms of a heart attack that a patient should be aware of include weakness, shortness of breath, sweating and fatigue. A patient should stop taking the NSAID and seek immediate medical treatment.
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