Why Painkillers can be Dangerous For Athletes
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By Dr. Joan van Wyngaard
Why Popping Painkillers Can Be a Dangerous Habit for Athletes - and What to Use Instead
Pain and sport go hand in hand - but how we manage it can make or break an athlete’s health. Painkillers like NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac) or combo tablets (like Myprodol) are widespread in professional and recreational sport. But emerging research reveals a hidden danger: athletes may be gambling with their kidneys, gut, and long-term health, just to push through pain today.
What the research shows
In elite sports, surveys reveal that medical teams often feel pressured to provide painkillers so players can compete - even when they know these drugs can delay healing or cause harm. One study found over 90% of sports med staff knew NSAIDs could slow recovery and increase risks like gut ulcers and kidney stress - but painkillers remained a go-to option.
Among endurance athletes - like marathon or ultramarathon runners - the stats are even more alarming: up to 60% pop NSAIDs before, during, or after races, often ‘prophylactically’ to prevent pain rather than treat it. This practice dramatically increases the risk of dehydration, GI bleeding, and kidney damage. Several documented cases show runners landing in hospital with acute kidney injury after popping NSAIDs while pushing their bodies to the limit.
And it’s not just the pros - recreational runners are doing the same. Nearly half of social runners surveyed admitted to using painkillers during training or races. Many are unaware that masking pain can lead to more injuries - and the silent damage to kidneys may only show up years later.
A stark reminder: during South Africa’s iconic Comrades Marathon, some runners have ended up in ICU after overdosing on combo painkillers like Myprodol to manage pain. Most ‘get away with it’ - until the day they don’t.
Why NSAIDs are risky
- Kidneys: Dehydration + NSAIDs is a dangerous combo - they limit blood flow to your kidneys.
- Gut: NSAIDs can cause stomach ulcers, bleeding, and severe GI complications.
- Healing: They may actually slow down soft tissue repair - so the injury you’re masking lingers longer.
- Silent damage: You might not feel the harm until it’s too late.
Better ways: natural options for pain management
Instead of masking pain with a chemical crutch, athletes should look at safe, evidence-backed options to manage inflammation and support recovery.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane):
A well-known sulfur compound that supports joint health and reduces muscle soreness. MSM can help decrease post-exercise muscle damage and has mild anti-inflammatory effects - without the gut or kidney impact of NSAIDs.
PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide):
This naturally occurring fatty acid amide acts as the body’s own ‘anti-inflammatory signal’. PEA helps modulate pain pathways, reduces mast cell activation (which can worsen inflammation), and has been shown to reduce chronic pain in various studies. Crucially, PEA is not metabolized by the liver or kidneys, making it safe for long-term use - a big advantage for athletes whose organs already take a beating.
Think of PEA as a natural support that works with your body’s innate recovery system - instead of suppressing pain signals at the expense of your kidneys or gut lining.
The bottom line
Pain is a signal - not an enemy. Suppressing it at all costs might get you across the finish line today, but it could cost you tomorrow’s health. Don’t let painkillers become your downfall. Opt for smart, natural anti-inflammatories, listen to your body, and build recovery into your game plan.
References:
- Derman W, et al. Use of analgesics in sport: knowledge, attitudes and practice of medical support team. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2018. PMID: 29332237
- Ganse B, et al. Prevalence and risk of use of analgesics and other pain-reducing substances in endurance sport. Front Physiol. 2018. PMID: 30096249
- Wardenaar FC, et al. Pain and use of analgesics in recreational runners cross-sectional study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018. PMID: 30270639