Inflammation is a painful signal that the body's white blood cells are waging a war against foreign particles.

Inflammation is also known to be caused by the collision of cells excited by having an excess of certain nutrients like omega 6, in the body. It's also known to be caused by auto-immune diseases, where the immune system attacks cells in the body, mistaking them as foreign bodies.

Rheumatoid arthritis, shoulder tendonitis and gouty arthritis are the foremost diseases that are associated with inflammation.

Generally inflammation is characterized by the reddening of the epidermis (outer skin layer), significant pain in the affected area, and swelling around the joint. It also causes the inability to move certain limbs associated with the joint and joint stiffness, especially after a prolonged period of rest.

But inflammation can also reveal itself through less recognised symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, headache, body aches and an unexplained loss of appetite.

So What Are NSAID's?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) are the chemicals that regulate the production of prostaglandins by the body.

Prostaglandins are the family of molecular structures that promote inflammation, fever, pain and blood clotting, alongside which they also protect the wall of the stomach from being damaged by digestive acids.

So NSAID's are primarily used to combat inflammation, body aches and fever.

Medical researchers have always sought an alternative to NSAID's in order to reduce inflammation without them. This is mainly because NSAID's have a number of unpleasant side effects and can ultimately do more harm than good.

Since NSAID's delay the production of prostaglandins, the epithelial tissue lining the stomach is left unprotected. With no prostaglandins to protect the inner stomach wall, the gastric acids in the stomach attack the stomach wall, which can result in stomach ulcers.

Side Effects Of NSAID's

NSAID's have been known to cause a host of other harmful side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, rashes, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, and kidney issues, not to mention a loss of appetite, fluid retention, liver failure, ulcers and prolonged bleeding following a surgery/injury.

Those suffering with asthma or any other serious diseases are even more vulnerable to the side effects of NSAID's.

Not all types of NSAID's are readily accepted by every individual. While some react positively to a particular non-steroidal pill, others can react quite violently.

It's important to remember that there is also a risk that the body can start responding adversely mid-way through treatment.

A Natural Alternative To NSAID's

Given the extensive list of hazardous side effects attached to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, more natural alternatives are certainly worth investigating and trying out. Under the knowledge and supervision of your physician of course.

Fish oils have emerged more recently as a strong contender in combating inflammation. As we seem to regularly redisocver, our grandparents often knew best, even if they didn't understand why.

Sourced from the body oils of species living in cold water, fish oils are rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These are the very types of omega 3 fatty acids that studies have shown are the most effective in reducing inflammation.

These essential fatty acids, and DHA in particular are now reputed for their anti-inflammatory properties. When consumed under the supervision of a physician, they also inflict little to no side effects over prolonged use.

Fish oils have certainly become a strong contender to help reduce inflammation without NSAID's. Even if the result is only a reduction in dependence on or a delay before requiring NSAID's, it would appear worthy of a personal trial.