Marathon runners warned not to use painkillers

Summary:

London Marathon runners warned not to use painkillers


As a precaution for the upcoming London Marathon this Sunday, experts have warned the marathon runners about using painkillers just before or during the marathon. Using painkillers before running a marathon could cause serious side effects, experts have warned. Researchers found that runners who used painkillers had a 13 per cent increased risk of "adverse events" including pain, muscle cramps and intestinal cramps. The authors said painkillers block enzymes called cyclooxygenases, which regulate the production of prostaglandins - hormone-like substances which play a role in the the contraction and relaxation of muscle tissue.


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Personal opinion:


I'm going to be watching the live stream coverage of the London marathon myself and I am incredibly glad doctors and other medical experts have brought this to the attention of the marathon runners. The last thing you need in a marathon is runners dropping like flies due to something as simple as taking a painkiller. I've run a marathon myself (NY), but was never warned about this. Luckily I didn't take any painkillers then, but I can imagine that at least some people did. These kind or warnings should be mandatory before any kind of major sports event or it should be as available as a general medical guideline somewhere.

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Source: Ella Pickover (19 April 2013). The Independent. Marathon runners warned not to use painkillers after study shows increase in cramps and other side effects. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/marathon-runners-warned-not-to-use-painkillers-after-study-shows-increase-in-cramps-and-other-side-effects-8581161.html