People who live with chronic pain often face a no-win situation. They usually rely on medications known as NSAIDs—or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs—which, unfortunately, can damage their stomachs and may even threaten their lives. This program details new strategies for helping patients with chronic pain, enabling them to fight it without giving up NSAIDs. Interviews with University of Michigan gastroenterologist James Scheiman and rheumatologist Daniel Clauw shed light on the importance of COX isozymes and the effects of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other pain relievers. The use of PPIs, or proton pump inhibitors, is also studied. (28 minutes)
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