Putting a pin in arthritis for a minute, Dr Porter added that many people who have general stomach discomfort often find that their symtoms are made worse by these types of medication.

“Anyone prone to indigestion or heartburn will know that even an occasional over-the-counter ibuprofen and aspirin can aggravate their symptoms, but if taken long term they can do much worse,” he added.

“The same mechanism of action (prostaglandin inhibition) that helps most NSAIDs to ease aches and pains weakens the stomach’s natural defence against its own gastric juices, leading to irritation, ulceration, bleeding and even perforation.

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