By: Joe Graedon December 22, 2024 9 Comments
    Natural Approaches or Pharmaceuticals for What A…

    Medical and pharmacy students must respect pharmaceuticals. They learn how drugs work (mechanism of action) and understand that the randomized controlled trials that lead to FDA approval are the gold …

    By: Terry Graedon December 16, 2024 9 Comments
    Will DMSO Ease Your Aching Knees?

    What do you know about DMSO? This chemical solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide, was discovered more than 150 years ago. By the mid to late 1960s, people were experimenting with potential medical applications.…

    By: Joe Graedon December 16, 2024 63 Comments
    What is the Connection Between Joint Pain and At…

    Doctors love statins-type cholesterol-lowering medications. The # 1 most prescribed drug in the US is atorvastatin! At last count 28 million people take this drug daily. Rosuvastatin gets nearly 10 mi…

    By: Joe Graedon November 25, 2024 38 Comments
    People Are Having Too Much Fun on Drug Commercia…

    Have you ever seen prescription drug commercials on a smart phone, tablet, laptop or television? It’s hard NOT to. They have proliferated like wildfire on a parched plain. If Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.,…

    By: Joe Graedon November 25, 2024 154 Comments
    Turmeric and Curcumin for Arthritis

    Turmeric and its most active ingredient curcumin have gotten plenty of attention for their anti-inflammatory properties. We have heard from readers that this yellow spice used in curry powder and must…

    By: Terry Graedon November 21, 2024 9 Comments
    Show 1409: From Hippocrates to Hypocrisy: The Hi…

    This Saturday morning, November 23, 2024, an expert from Australia helps us examine the hidden risks of healthcare. Healthcare providers have the best of intentions, but they simply cannot truly uphol…

    By: Terry Graedon November 11, 2024 34 Comments
    Will Certo and Grape Juice Help Your Sore Knees?

    People with sore joints face a terrible dilemma. Pain interferes with quality of life. On the other hand, medications like diclofenac and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can make p…

    By: Joe Graedon November 11, 2024 6 Comments
    Doxycycline for Arthritis? A Surprising Ally in …

    When you hear about the drug doxycycline you probably think acne or infections, right? It is the drug of choice against a lot of tick-borne diseases like Lyme or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Dermatol…

    By: Joe Graedon September 23, 2024 78 Comments
    Are Doctors Overprescribing Gabapentin for Pain?

    There are over 26,000 diseases that afflict humans. Most have one common denominator: pain! The way our body lets us know there's a problem is when something hurts, whether it's a broken bone, a tooth…

    By: Joe Graedon September 16, 2024 12 Comments
    Gin-Soaked Raisins Offer Relief for Arthritic Pa…

    Millions of people have stiff, sore joints. Some rely on NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, MotrinIB) or naproxen (Aleve) to get relief for arthritic pain. However, while these medications can be helpfu…

    By: Joe Graedon September 5, 2024 15 Comments
    Side Effects of TNF Blockers: Enbrel, Humira, Re…

    Most drugs are double-edged swords. In other words, they have the potential both to help and to harm. But some medications have sharper blades than others. TNF blockers are great examples of this deal…

    By: Joe Graedon August 1, 2024 92 Comments
    How to Mix Certo and Grape Juice for Arthritis

    One of the oldest home remedies in the People’s Pharmacy pharmacopeia is a combination of Certo and grape juice for arthritis. Most people have never heard of Certo. That’s because home canning ha…

    By: Joe Graedon July 10, 2024 32 Comments
    Why Is Antidepressant Withdrawal So Hard?

    A few years ago it was estimated that one out of eight Americans took an antidepressant medication (JAMA Internal Medicine, Feb. 2017) daily. According to my current calculations, 46 million people no…

    By: Joe Graedon June 16, 2024 27 Comments
    What Do You Really Know About Scary Ibuprofen Si…

    Do you read the labels on OTC pain relievers? Be honest now. The last time you purchased Advil, Motrin IB or some house brand ibuprofen pills, did you check out the dosage instructions or the warnings…

    By: Terry Graedon June 10, 2024 110 Comments
    Cherry Juice Eases Arthritis Pain

    Whoever said "Growing older isn't for sissies!" probably had arthritis. Although it sometimes strikes younger people, the constant ache in knees and hips can make it hard to keep moving.  Pain in th…

    By: Joe Graedon May 23, 2024 19 Comments
    Exerciser Needs Home Remedy to Overcome Knee Pai…

    It is estimated that 30 million Americans take an NSAID-type pain reliever each day to ease their sprains, strains, arthritis and bursitis. Familiar brands include Advil, Aleve, Anaprox, Cataflam, Mob…

    By: Terry Graedon May 20, 2024 58 Comments
    Tart Cherries Fight Pain and Inflammation Natura…

    When most people experience pain they take NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Physicians prescribe medications like celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), meloxicam (Mobic…

    By: Joe Graedon April 22, 2024 24 Comments
    Can You Wreck Your Kidneys With NSAID Pain Relie…

    Most people take their kidneys for granted...until something bad happens. When your kidneys fail, though, your life hangs in the balance. Short of dialysis or a kidney transplant, kidney failure rapid…

    By: Terry Graedon March 25, 2024 6 Comments
    Can Red Light LED Therapy Help Ease Arthritis Pa…

    Far too many people suffer pain from arthritis. Whether the doctor has diagnosed osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, patients may have trouble controlling the pain. Some take …

    By: Joe Graedon March 25, 2024 355 Comments
    Does Generic Celecoxib Measure Up to Celebrex?

    In March of 2015 we started hearing from readers of our syndicated newspaper column and visitors to this website that generic celecoxib was not working as well as the brand name Celebrex. The FDA appr…

    By: Joe Graedon March 17, 2024 33 Comments
    Ibuprofen and High Blood Pressure: A Dangerous R…

    Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is on the rise (Open Heart, April 28, 2017). We're talking about drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Such pain relievers are perceived as quite safe…

    By: Joe Graedon February 4, 2024 31 Comments
    How Safe Are Topical NSAIDs Like Voltaren Gel?

    When the FDA allowed drug companies to sell NSAIDs over the counter we were concerned. That's because drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc) and naproxen (Aleve) came with some pretty serious si…

    By: Terry Graedon January 21, 2024 33 Comments
    What Are the Advantages of Voltaren Gel?

    Inflammation is behind a lot of chronic disease, including arthritis. That is why nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen are so popular among people with joint pain.…

    By: Joe Graedon December 23, 2023 33 Comments
    What to Do About Arthritis Pain When NSAIDs Are …

    Tens of millions of people suffer constant arthritis pain. Many of them have severe joint deterioration. The usual recommendation is to take NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). You know: ib…

    By: Terry Graedon December 10, 2023 13 Comments
    Will Herbal Oils Ease Arthritis Pain?

    Many people have a very difficult time managing their arthritis pain. Perhaps they take NSAID drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Although these medicines can help temporarily with pain relief, they …

    By: Joe Graedon November 11, 2023 39 Comments
    When Drugs Are Dangerous, Natural Remedies Ease …

    People with arthritis often face a terrible dilemma because the medications that are most commonly used to ease stiffness and discomfort in the joints can have nasty side effects. NSAIDs such as diclo…

    By: Joe Graedon October 30, 2023 16 Comments
    Do You Read OTC Medication Labels? You Should!

    Americans LOVE Drugs. I am not talking about getting high. I am talking about pills we purchase in pharmacies, convenience stores and online. According to a study published in the journal Demography (…

    By: Terry Graedon October 9, 2023 73 Comments
    What Can You Do for Your Knee Arthritis?

    You don’t have to be a baby boomer to suffer from knee pain. Plenty of younger people have pain that they can trace to overuse or to a specific injury. Older people also may be afflicted with arthri…

    By: Joe Graedon August 28, 2023 30 Comments
    Golden Raisins in Gin: Placebo or Powerful Arthr…

    Are you a skeptic? Do you think all home remedies are nothing more than old wives' tales? Snake oil? Silliness? Or do you keep an open mind and wonder why such approaches are handed down from generati…

    By: Joe Graedon July 23, 2023 163 Comments
    How to Make Gin-Soaked Raisins for Joint Pain

    Have you looked at the side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) lately? Drugs like diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, meloxicam, piroxicam and naproxen can cause hig…

    By: Terry Graedon June 26, 2023 38 Comments
    What Is the Alternative to Grape Juice and Pecti…

    Arthritis, joint pain and inflammation and rheumatism have plagued human beings since prehistoric times. Possibly as a result, there are more home remedies for arthritis than you could count easily. T…

    By: Terry Graedon June 22, 2023 20 Comments
    How Do You Weigh the Benefits and Risks of Aspir…

    Aspirin has been around for over 100 years. Moreover, it is one of the most versatile drugs in the pharmacy. This tablet relieves pain, lowers fever and reduces inflammation. In addition, it has anti-…

    By: Joe Graedon June 19, 2023 17 Comments
    Why Home Remedies Deserve Respect

    Before there were pharmaceutical companies, drug commercials on television, pharmacists or physicians, there were herbs and home remedies. There is archeological evidence that our stone age ancestors …

    By: Joe Graedon June 5, 2023 30 Comments
    Why Would Anyone Try Wacky Arthritis Remedy from…

    Joint pain is such a common problem that people have invented many different approaches to easing it. One wacky arthritis remedy was reputed to be the recommendation of the famous Mayo brothers, found…

    By: Terry Graedon May 18, 2023 2 Comments
    Show 1341: Lessons Learned from Long Illness

    You may not have thought much about long illness, but chances are you know someone who is suffering with one. The CDC estimates that some chronic condition afflicts as many as one in six American adul…

    By: Joe Graedon May 8, 2023 26 Comments
    The Dark Side of Cortisone Shots: Joint Deterior…

    You have no doubt heard about “steroids.” By the way, this is a terrible term! It causes nothing but confusion. We promise not to overwhelm you with chemistry. The core structure of steroids can b…

    By: Terry Graedon May 4, 2023 10 Comments
    Show 1340: Were the Old Wives Right?

    This week’s episode begins with an interview. We talk with Dr. Craig Hopp of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health about why doctors so often dismiss home remedies as old wive…

    By: Joe Graedon April 27, 2023 38 Comments
    Cortisone Injections Can Have Devastating Effect…

    What will the doctor offer you if you have a stubborn pain in a joint? Frequently, physicians turn to cortisone injections to ease the pain for a while. Before you agree to such treatment, make sure y…

    By: Terry Graedon April 24, 2023 21 Comments
    Pectin and Grape Juice to Ease Sore Joints

    People with arthritis usually rely on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen for pain relief, but these medicines can cause trouble if a person takes them for a lo…

    By: Joe Graedon April 10, 2023 9 Comments
    Do You Take Your Pain Medicine for Granted?

    If you are like most Americans the chances are very good that you have one of the following in your medicine cabinet or in a kitchen drawer: acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin …