Alternatives to Advil for pain relief

I have taken Advil for years for inflammation or pain. I have stopped because I began to have ringing in the ears, ear pain, dizziness and loss of hearing. This all disappeared when I stopped the Advil. I just assume that I can’t take NSAIDs anymore. What do you recommend for problems with heel spurs, disk problems and torn cartilage in the knee?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.) and naproxen (Aleve) or prescription drugs like Celebrex, diclofenac and meloxicam. Such medications can cause ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and even hearing loss (Drug Safety, March 1996).

Dealing with arthritis, bone spurs and back and knee inflammation can be challenging if you can’t take regular pain relievers. You may find topical NSAIDs safer, and herbal approaches such as turmeric, boswellia, stinging nettle and ginger.

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A reader asked for natural alternatives for anxiety and stress without side effects. I was disappointed that you didn’t mention exercise. According to a literature review in the “Handbook of Sport Psychology,” as little as 5 to 10 minutes of aerobic or anaerobic exercise reduces anxiety.

Thanks for the reminder of the benefit of exercise against anxiety. Daily exercise also is effective against depression.

Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist and Teresa Graedon is an expert in medical anthropology and nutrition. www.peoplespharmacy.com