Ibuprofen Has An Unexpected Effect On These Body Parts And Functions

Ibuprofen is one of the most popular over-the-counter painkillers in the world. It's a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that combats everything from menstrual cramps to toothaches, and is often a go-to non-prescription option for those dealing with debilitating pain. This common medication is a staple in medicine cabinets across the globe — but it turns out there's a lot more to it than meets the eye.

Ibuprofen may have a significant influence on the body in ways that extend well beyond its ability to manage pain. Research has revealed that it may help protect against serious conditions like dementia and Parkinson's disease, for example. It can also affect kidney function negatively, information that is vital for a large segment of the population but isn't actually widely known.

Though it remains a trusted choice for millions of people who seek an easily accessible way to alleviate their pain, ibuprofen is ultimately more than a painkiller. Its broader implications could have either a beneficial or adverse effect on a person's health. As everyone's situation is different, it's crucial to be aware of how ibuprofen may impact them personally — and when it may not be safe to actually take ibuprofen at all. Understanding these effects can help people make more informed choices.

Dementia is a term used to describe a decline in a person's cognitive function. It's common, affecting some 8% of people over the age of 65 (via Cleveland Clinic).While many preventative measures exist, taking ibuprofen is considerably less known. Research has linked it to a potentially lower risk in the development of Alzheimer's disease, an incurable and progressive form of dementia that leads to loss of memory. 

A 2008 study in Neurology (via the American Academy of Neurology) revealed that individuals who used ibuprofen for five years or longer had a 40% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's. The connection appears to be linked to ibuprofen's anti-inflammatory effects. Individuals with Alzheimer's may have elevated levels of a peptide called amyloid-beta 42 in their brains, per 2017 research published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. These levels could cause inflammation — and theoretically, ibuprofen could reduce this inflammation and prevent Alzheimer's from developing.

The caveat is that individuals need to be tested to determine if they would benefit from this theory. Because individuals with elevated Abeta 42 levels in their brains also have elevated levels in their saliva, a simple saliva test could inform doctors that certain individuals would benefit from regular ibuprofen intake. Dr. Patrick McGeer explains to Medical News Today, "Knowing that the prevalence of clinical Alzheimer's disease commences at age 65, we recommend that people get tested 10 years before, at age 55, when the onset of Alzheimer's would typically begin."

There is some evidence that suggests regular ibuprofen intake may have a positive effect on some prostate health issues, including a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Common among older men, this condition causes the prostate gland to become enlarged. Symptoms include frequent urination, a risk of developing urinary tract infections, and difficulty starting and stopping flow. 

Research finds that taking ibuprofen may slow the onset of BPH, if not prevent it entirely. Dr. Michael Lieber, M.D., a urologist at Mayo Clinic, explains to Science Daily, "Our study suggests that one potential unintended consequence of so many people in our society taking NSAIDs could be an improvement in urinary health for men." He cautions, however, that taking ibuprofen specifically for this purpose is not advised, as it could increase the risk of developing stomach ulcers.

Research has also found that taking NSAIDs may help men avoid prostate cancer (via Sperling Prostate Center). Specifically, the findings of a 2018 systematic review in Frontiers in Oncology revealed that people who took an NSAID for at least five or more years had at least an 11.8% lower likelihood of developing prostate cancer than those who did not take the medication.

There's evidence that adults who take ibuprofen regularly may have a reduced risk of developing Parkinson's disease, a progressive condition that affects the body's nerve regulation. As it advances, Parkinson's causes tremors, sleep problems, discomfort, constipation, depression, and a host of other life-altering symptoms. While the disease itself is not fatal, Parkinson's does cause serious complications that may lead to death.

Studies have found that one of the key hallmarks of patients with Parkinson's disease is the presence of inflammation. Per a 2020 article in Nature Reviews Oncology, researchers discovered that among people who carried mutated variants of the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene, which is thought to be the most common cause of genetic Parkinson's disease, taking ibuprofen regularly reduced the risk of developing the condition.

Explains Xiang Gao, a research scientist at the Harvard School of Public Health, "We observed that men and women who used ibuprofen two or more times per week were about 38% less likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those who regularly used aspirin, acetaminophen, or other NSAIDs. Because the loss of brain cells that leads to Parkinson's disease occurs over a decade or more, a possible explanation of our findings is that use of ibuprofen protects these cells. If so, use of ibuprofen could help slow the disease's progression."

Affecting over 150,000 people across the United States annually, colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the country (per the Colorectal Cancer Alliance). It's a sobering statistic, given that more and more younger adults are receiving diagnoses. The good news is that regular colon cancer screenings can save lives, as the disease is highly treatable when discovered at an early stage. It turns out that taking ibuprofen on a regular basis may also be an effective preventative measure.

That's because inflammation is a key hallmark of the disease. Chronic inflammation can damage DNA, promoting cancer cell growth in the process. Taking ibuprofen may reduce that inflammation and prevent the formation of adenomatous polyps, which grow in the colon and rectum and may become cancerous. "Approximately 85 percent of all colorectal cancers are thought to result from untreated adenomatous polyps," shares M. Hassan Murad, M.D., a clinical epidemiologist and preventive medicine doctor at Mayo Clinic.

The caveat is that this is an exception and not a rule. Individuals should only adopt an ibuprofen regimen if they're considered high risk patients — that is, they have a family history of the disease or have other significant factors that make them more likely to develop colon cancer, like type 2 diabetes or obesity. Otherwise, taking too much ibuprofen can have significant side effects, causing everything from general irritation to ulcers.

Surprising studies have revealed a potential link between ibuprofen use and increased longevity. Lab experiments conducted by researchers at the Buck Institute for Researching on Aging and Texas A&M University found that flies, yeast, and worms all thrived when given ibuprofen regularly — and that resulted in a 15% increase in lifespan (via NBC News). Those results were the approximate equivalent of an additional 12 years for human beings.

Despite the impressive findings, researchers weren't clear on exactly why ibuprofen had this effect. Although it's a potent anti-inflammatory, flies and yeast don't develop inflammation because they lack the specific enzymes responsible for promoting that reaction. Richard Miller, a gerontologist at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, says to Science, "[s]ome anti-inflammatory drugs that people are taking may have beneficial effects that are unrelated to inflammation."

Given its potential side effects, ibuprofen on its own should not be used in an effort to extend life. The decision warrants the input of a medical professional who is familiar with your personal situation. If you experience regular inflammatory health problems, for example, you may be a good candidate to take ibuprofen on a more frequent basis than someone who doesn't fall into that category.

Many people take to higher elevations in search of a thrill. There's no question that those peaks offer breathtaking views and exciting adventures, but reaching those heights can come with a host of unpleasant side effects like dizziness, dehydration, fatigue, loss of appetite, and headache. These symptoms occur because the body must adapt to lower oxygen levels at the higher altitude. Because there's less oxygen to inhale, your organs no longer receive an adequate oxygen supply.

People turn to a variety of methods to counteract these effects, from nausea medication to prescription drugs. It turns out that ibuprofen may be equally helpful, according to a study in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, in which 86 people hiked the White Mountains (via NPR). Half of the participants received 600 milligrams of ibuprofen before, during, and after the journey, while the other half took placebos. Of the groups, those who took placebos had a threefold greater likelihood of developing altitude sickness than those who took the actual medication.

Grant S. Lipman, who authored the study for Stanford University School of Medicine, cautions that the drug was not tested at more precipitous peaks of 15,000 feet and above. For those, he advises climbers to use their usual prescription medication. Of ibuprofen's efficacy at lower altitudes, he explained to NPR, "I love climbing Mt. Shasta and skiing off the summit. I always get a headache about 13,000 feet, and next time I climb it, I'm going to take ibuprofen the day I travel."

Ibuprofen may significantly reduce lung inflammation in cystic fibrosis patients, and may even potentially benefit those who have COVID-19. Cystic fibrosis can cause a thick, sticky mucus to form in the lungs, leading to the chronic inflammation and frequent lung infections that are hallmarks of the disease. Ibuprofen is often used to manage the inflammation, as studies have revealed that taking the medication at high doses may slow the progression of lung disease in patients who have cystic fibrosis, per a 2019 paper in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Reducing the inflammation is key, as it helps sustain lung function and improve quality of life. Ibuprofen inhibits the production of prostaglandins, which cause inflammation to occur. This calms the lungs — and ibuprofen's effects on patients with cystic fibrosis are well documented in clinical trials. Those who took the medication experienced less decline in lung function compared to patients who didn't take it.

There's also a possibility that ibuprofen may treat lung inflammation associated with COVID-19. The virus can cause severe respiratory distress and acute lung inflammation, which in patients who are at greater risk or who have compromised immune systems can prove life-threatening. Some preliminary research suggests that taking ibuprofen may mitigate the inflammation. However, because COVID-19 is a novel disease and not all patients responded the same way to ibuprofen, it's important to discuss the best treatment option for your needs with your doctor.

The kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste from the body and helping maintain a balance of fluids and electrolytes. Taking ibuprofen on a regular basis, however, could affect kidney function and possibly even lead to adverse outcomes, such as the onset of kidney disease.

Ibuprofen can cause the body to produce less prostaglandin. These are the compounds that help dilate the kidneys' blood vessels, ensuring smooth blood flow to these vital organs. When prostaglandin isn't properly synthesized in the body, the kidneys can suffer as a significant decrease in blood flow occurs. This can affect anyone's kidney function, but it can make matters worse if a patient already has chronic kidney disease or suffers from issues like high blood pressure or heart failure. Primary care physician Dr. Sreedhar Gottiparthy, of Houston Methodist Hospital, explains that ibuprofen could interact with the medications used to treat those conditions. "NSAIDs can interact with diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and can cause a decrease in kidney function even in small doses."

Sometimes, a condition called acute kidney injury develops. When this happens, kidney function stops suddenly and may cause symptoms like diminished urine flow, fatigue, and swelling, often characterized by edema in the legs and ankles. Left unresolved, this could lead to more long-term kidney damage. However, acute kidney injuries can typically be treated either with medication or a short course of dialysis. The bottom line is that ibuprofen isn't for everyone.