Rhianna Benson
The season of spreading coughs and colds is upon us once again, and as such, some have already started stocking up on their supplies of painkillers and anti-inflammatories.
But apparently, people around the world have a brand new health warning to consider this year ahead of plying their older-age parents with certain pills - especially ibuprofen.
For those unfamiliar with the commonplace medication, ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory aimed at reducing pain, focusing on the likes of reducing swellings and easing general discomfort.
In terms of soreness, it mostly targets sufferers of toothache, period pain, throat agony, painful joints, headaches, colds, viruses and a high temperature. These magic meds also handle sprains and strains caused by injuries, as well as pain caused by arthritis.
Advert
As we say, however, despite often flying off shop shelves when the winter months roll back around, when colds and flus are more easily spread, ibuprofen-users have been warned to move with caution - especially the case in users over the age of 65.
That's right, retirees and pensioners are now being advised by their medics only to take this particular drug if it's absolutely necessary. But why?
Well, apparently, it's due to ibuprofen's propensity to inflict stomach ulcers on older individuals.
The NHS' official website explains: "If you're over 65, ibuprofen can make you more likely to get stomach ulcers. Your doctor will prescribe you a medicine to protect your stomach if you're taking ibuprofen for a long-term condition."
As such, patients who've endured health ailments such as stomach bleeding or perforation in the past - especially if caused by another NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) - are advised to speak to their GP before turning immediately to this drug.
This is especially advised amongst individuals who've experienced this unnerving phenomenon on more than one occasion, as this reportedly makes them much more at risk of bleeding as a result of ibuprofen use.
Interestingly, however, it isn't just older citizens who are being told to approach these pills with caution.
For allergy-sufferers, for example, it's advised that taking ibuprofen orally or applying it to your skin could pose a potential risk to health.
Women attempting to conceive, or who are already pregnant, are also being encouraged to look elsewhere for minor pain relief, with ibuprofen boasting an odd ability to cause low amniotic fluid and premature closure of the ductus arteriosus.
The latter might sound a little complicated, but what it really means is that this could lead to foetal kidney problems, poor lung development, and heart complications.