A 66-year-old male seeks advice on glucosamine and chondroitin for joint pain relief, questioning the long-term use of naproxen due to potential blood pressure increases.
- The individual, suffering from arthritis and arthralgia, considers taking glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as recommended by a physician friend for joint pain relief.
- Current management of pain involves naproxen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, but concerns arise regarding its potential side effects, particularly increasing blood pressure.
- Research on glucosamine and chondroitin presents mixed results, with some studies indicating they may help reduce inflammation and improve joint function in arthritis patients.
Why It Matters
Understanding the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin is crucial for older adults managing joint pain, especially as alternatives like naproxen can pose risks such as elevated blood pressure.