Ibuprofen and aspirin could worsen the symptoms of certain diseases if you take them regularly, scientists warn The Sun.
Taking large and frequent amounts of commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can disrupt the balance of your gut microbiota, Semmelweis University researchers have found.
It is the community of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms that live in your gut, which are essential for the healthy functioning of your body.
NSAIDs are among the most used in the world, and more than 30 million people take them daily, according to Hungarian researchers. These include medicines containing ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid, which is also known as aspirin.
But taking these drugs can cause dysbiosis, disrupting the delicate balance of bacteria in the gut, a study published in the journal Pharmacology & Therapeutics found.
Exacerbation of chronic diseases
They can also cause ominous symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea or anemia. In rare cases, they can lead to bowel perforation, a hole in the wall of the bowel or colon.
"We have known for a long time that the excessive use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can disrupt the balance of the intestinal microbiota. We are now looking for the underlying mechanisms, which are only partially understood," explained Dr. Zoltan Zadori, leader of the Gastrointestinal Research Group at the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy at Semmelweis University.
A team of researchers noticed similarities between gut microbiome imbalances associated with certain diseases and those caused by taking these drugs. transmits Citymagazine.
"Diseases such as chronic inflammation of the joints affecting the spine and limbs or rheumatoid arthritis are associated with an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota and the overgrowth of certain bacteria. In fact, these bacteria are associated with the development and worsening of the disease," said Dr. Zadori.
"We found that these bacterial deviations are similar to those caused by NSAIDs. This raises the possibility that drug-induced gut dysbiosis could worsen chronic diseases and limit the long-term therapeutic effect of NSAIDs," he added.
An imbalance in the community of bacteria and viruses is dangerous
Dr. Zadori explained that they currently hypothesize that NSAID-induced dysbiosis is behind complaints such as "inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, changes in pH or intestinal motor activity, or changes in bile acid composition."
"It is also possible that the antibacterial properties of NSAIDs directly disrupt the balance of the gut microbiota. These processes are closely related, so it is difficult to determine what caused what," he pointed out.
"For example, reduced bile function can lead to an overgrowth of intestinal bacteria. At the same time, dysbiosis can also change the amount of certain bile acids," added Dr. Zadori.
The gut microbiome plays a key role in multiple processes in your body: it balances sugar and energy levels, strengthens the immune system, and regulates activities in the gut wall. An imbalance in the community of bacteria and viruses, on the other hand, can contribute to the development of various diseases, the researchers said.
These can include conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hormonal disorders, as well as cardiovascular, autoimmune and psychiatric diseases.
How much ibuprofen can be taken?
Dr. Zadori said there is no universal rule when it comes to how many NSAIDs you can take to keep your gut healthy.
How sensitive you are to these pills will vary, in part because your gut microbiota system depends on several other factors, such as your age, lifestyle, and health.
Hungarian researchers said they are now looking for ways to suppress or mitigate the harmful effects of these drugs on the gut.
Taking too much ibuprofen has previously been linked to stomach ulcers, fertility problems, adverse heart reactions and even blood clots.
And while taking aspirin daily can help prevent heart attacks and strokes in people who are at higher risk of them, research has shown that taking these pills regularly can increase the risk of developing anemia. Aspirin is also associated with an increased risk of fatal bleeding in the brain.
A stroke and a brain bleed are not the same thing. A stroke refers to a blockage or reduced blood flow in a certain part of the brain, which leads to damage to brain cells. A brain bleed, on the other hand, occurs when blood vessels in the brain burst and blood spills into the surrounding brain tissue.
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