Q: If over-the-counter pain relievers are now a heart risk, what can I take for joint pain or a headache? - Kathy G., Springfield, Massachusetts
A: You must be referring to the new warning issued by the Food and Drug Administration that says over-the-counter and prescription NSAIDs (that's nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) "increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke, either of which can lead to death. Those serious side effects can occur as early as the first few weeks of using an NSAID, and the risk might rise the longer people take NSAIDs."
They're talking about pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac and celecoxib. Those are the go-to drugs for arthritis pain, headaches, sore muscles and menstrual cramps. And the FDA says that the danger applies to the heart-unhealthy and heart-healthy alike.
How big a risk is it? An earlier study found that taking some NSAIDs increases the risk for heart-related events by 33 percent.
Who should avoid them? People who have cardiovascular disease - particularly those who recently had a heart attack or cardiac bypass surgery - are at the greatest risk for another heart attack or dying of heart-attack-related causes if they take NSAIDs.
How should you take NAIDs when you do? Take the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time possible, advises the Cleveland Clinic's chairman of cardiovascular medicine Steve Nissen, M.D.
What about aspirin? Aspirin is an NSAID, but it's not included in this warning. We recommend talking to your doctor about taking 162 mg every day (we take that daily; always with half a glass of warm water before and after). Daily low-dose aspirin helps prevent cardiovascular woes and wards off certain cancers. It also can ease aches and pains. But it can cause GI bleeding and interfere with anticoagulant medications.
Alternative pain relievers? You also can help ease chronic or temporary pain with meditation, acupuncture, massage, hot Epsom salt baths, laughter and orgasm.
Q: Our family is planning a beach vacation for the end of the summer, and I'm hearing reports about shark attacks and flesh-eating bacteria. Should I make other plans? - Jeffrey W., Nashville, Tennessee
A: Sometimes it seems like our 24/7 news cycle is designed to frighten you - so you'll stay indoors watching the 24/7 news cycle! While scary reports about shark attacks and flesh-eating bacteria make for good ratings, they obscure the facts.
Every year there are 30-40 shark attacks in the U.S.; 90 percent are bite-and-run. As of July 1 this year, there were 23 reported run-ins, some very serious, and that's more than usual for that date. One expert explained that the flurry of incidents along the coast from North Carolina to Florida happened because there was a "perfect storm": coastal waters were warmer than usual, unusually large numbers of people went to the beach and at the same time, it was sea turtle nesting season. Sharks love those turtles. The combo meant more shark-human interaction than usual. That confluence of events shouldn't be happening when you are headed to the beach.
As for flesh-eating bacteria: Vibrio vulnificus blooms in Florida's coastal waters from May to October. According to the Florida Department of Health, it has infected at least eight people and killed two so far this year. Between 2008 and 2013, there were 174 cases, and 45 people died from the infection. But millions of people spend tens of millions of hours in the water.
How do you make sure you're not a statistic? Well, since it also infects shellfish, particularly oysters, don't eat raw Florida shellfish or handle any form of shellfish without gloves. And don't go in the water if you're very elderly, very young, have an open wound or cut, have a weakened immune system or have chronic liver or kidney disease. And if you're immunocompromised, wear foot coverings when walking on the beach to avoid being cut by contaminated shells or rocks.
If you and your family are healthy and cautious, you shouldn't be at any increased risk.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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