Can Aloe Vera Replace Non-Steroidals?

Every year in the UK, approximately 25 million prescriptions are written for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). That doesn’t include those non-steroidal drugs that are bought over the counter.

They’re very effective. If you’ve ever injured yourself, you’ll know just how painful the inflammation in the muscles, tendons or joints can be. And that inflammation - the body’s secondary reponse to healing - can be more painful than the original injury itself. You’ve probably bought non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from the chemist without even thinking about it. Nurofen® and Ibuprofen are over-the-counter NSAIDs.

The full list of non-steroidals covers aspirin, naproxen (Aleve®, Naprosyn®), ibuprofen (Nurofen®, Motrin®), diclofenac (Voltarol®), piroxicam (Feldene®) and others. Essentially, they are a class of drugs that have a strong anti-inflammatory effect. They’re effective in reducing mild to moderate pain - muscle strains & sprains, joint and tendon problems - as well as helping with headaches; reducing fevers; and alleviating the symptoms of coughs, colds and flu. Which is why NSAIDs also often included in many cold and allergy preparations.

» read more: Aloe Vera & Non-Steroidal Drugs

Can Aloe Vera Help IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is sometimes known as spastic colon, mucous colitis, spastic colitis, irritable colon or nervous stomach. - it is a condition that affects the functioning of the bowel and usually causes the sufferer mild to acute abdominal pain and unusual bowel habits.

IBS is reasonably common - around 40% of visits to gastroenterologists are because of irritable bowel syndrome. It is estimated that around 15% of the UK population has suffered from IBS at one time or another.

IBS can be quite difficult to diagnose and quite often a sufferer will not seek medical attention and just assume that he or she has a nervous stomach.

The condition is often described and classified as being a functional disorder that is controlled by the brain. Functional disorders are hard to identify exactly and so an endoscopy, x-ray, or blood test will not identify the condition. IBS is diagnosed from the characteristics of the symptoms rather than any physical examination.

Symptoms Of IBS

The symptoms of IBS are wide ranging and can cause mild to severe suffering. The usual symptoms are abdominal pain and discomfort - this usually occurs in the lower abdomin. Unusual bowel movements and chronic diarrhea, constipation, or both – either mixed or in alternation are other common characteristics.

Other less common symptoms include

• Bloating
• Nausea
• A Premature Feeling Of Fullness
• Heartburn

» read more: Aloe Vera And IBS