Many athletes choose to use a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs to increase performance, prevent pain and treat existing damage. This group of drugs include ibuprofen (Motrin, Aleve), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and salicylic acid (aspirin). They are far from benign..

At first glance, these drugs appear harmless, they help fight inflammation and relieve pain, but they are the main causes of kidney failure in the United States today. It causes gastrointestinal bleeding among all users. They cause gastritis and peptic ulcer among many users in the long term, disrupt the immune system, slows the healing process, promote chronic lesions, and decrease the perception of important signals of pain. Similarly, they increase the risk: new lesions, aggravating existing injuries.

Athletes using NSAIDs before, during and after an increase in physical activity may all these complications. Even in the absence of vigorous exercise, these agents are known to damage the body. But during sustained physical activity, the body is more at risk of damage from these agents.

During exercise the body experiences typically mild to moderate dehydration and hemoconcentration. This reduction in volume increases the concentration of all drugs in the body. Consequently, kidney, stomach, liver, intestines, and muscles contain levels of these drugs higher than normal.