My doctor told me to stay away from pain relievers and other drugs that contain NSAIDS because they take a toll on the liver. Is there anything I can take for a general pain reliever? Head and muscle aches?

A.

NSAIDs (non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs) used commonly for general pain relief and are very effective at decreasing inflammation and relieving mild to moderate pain. They can increase liver enzyme levels, a sign of liver cell damage. They can also cause stomach distress and may increase cartilage breakdown in joints.

Alternative medicine does not have a general pain reliever, rather there are herbs that address the specific cause of the discomfort. For pain caused by inflammation, there are several good antiinflammatory herbs including bromelain, ginger, curcumin and boswellia. For migraine headaches, feverfew helps to decrease the frequency and severity of attacks, and ginger can help relieve an acute migraine. Muscle spasms and tension headaches respond well to a number of herbs including kava and valerian. Wild yam and enteric coated peppermint oil help to relax intestinal colic. Severe or persistent pain should always be evaluated by your doctor and the cause treated appropriately.

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* The information presented in this web site is intended to inform and educate. It is not intended replace a qualified medical practitioner to diagnose or treat medical conditions.