By Chris Woolston, M.S. Ever since aspirin hit the market in the
late 1800s, it has been a fixture in medicine cabinets
everywhere -- and for good reason. It erases headaches, soothes
arthritis, lowers fevers, helps prevent heart disease, and may
even ward off some types of cancer. If it were discovered today,
doctors would hail it as a medical breakthrough. But for some
people, aspirin has a serious downside -- especially if taken
regularly. At the same time it's easing your pain, it could be
giving you an ulcer. Aspirin is just one of many painkillers
known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which
can cause serious damage to your digestive system. Other members
of the NSAID class include the over-the-counter pain relievers
ibuprofen and naproxen and at least 15 prescription drugs.
According to the American College of Gastroenterology, up to 60
percent of the approximately 14 million patients with arthritis
who consume NSAIDs regularly will develop side effects related
to the drugs. Although m