Page 26 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, June 6, 2025 MUSINGS | FROM PAGE 7 For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net Savvy Senior by Jim Miller How Much Advil (Ibuprofen) Is Too Much? Dear Savvy Senior, I take Advil pretty regularly for arthritis pain and headaches, but how can I tell if I’m taking more than is safe? Achy Alan Dear Alan, Ibuprofen – better known by one of its brand names, Advil – is one of the most popular medications on the market today for treating all different types of pain, headaches, fevers and cramps. Given the drug’s broad pain-reducing effects, safety record and availability over the counter (OTC), it’s no surprise that some people pop the little brownish-red tablets whenever they feel the slightest twinge of discomfort. But ibuprofen, which is also sold under brand names like Motrin and Nuprin, can pose certain health risks, especially for those with kidney or stomach issues. Here’s what you should know. What’s Safe? For most adults and children ages 12 years and older, the recommended OTC dose of ibuprofen is one (or two, if needed) 200-milligram tablets, caplets or gel caplets every four to six hours while symptoms persist. You shouldn’t take more than 1,200 mg (or six pills) in a 24-hour period. If you haven’t consulted a doctor about how much is safe, or if you aren’t certain about your risk factors, it’s best not to exceed the recommended limit of 1,200 milligrams a day. If you have chronic pain, or were recently injured or had surgery, your doctor may prescribe ibuprofen for you at a higher dose. Prescription tablets are usually stronger compared to the OTC dose, such as 600 mg and 800 mg. The maximum daily dose for prescription-strength ibuprofen is 3,200 mg in a 24-hour period. But it’s important only to take what your provider has prescribed for you. Also be aware that ibuprofen is sometimes added to certain cold and flu medications, so always read the ingredient list on medications before using them. Be Cautious! Ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, which reduce pain and inflammation by blocking the activity of certain enzymes. But these enzymes also help maintain kidney and liver function and regulate the balance of fluids and electrolytes in your body. So, taking ibuprofen can be dangerous for patients with kidney disease or failure; those with liver damage or cirrhosis; and people with conditions that put strain on their kidneys, like high blood pressure or heart failure. Those at high risk for these conditions – as well as for stomach ulcers, heart attacks, strokes or bleeding problems – should talk with their doctors before taking ibuprofen. People who take medications such as diuretics, anticoagulants, ACE inhibitors or ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) to manage cardiovascular issues should also be careful, because ibuprofen stresses the kidneys and the heart. To reduce these health risks, don’t take the maximum recommended dose for more than a week or two at a time. If you need it for more than two weeks, or if you’re turning to ibuprofen every day to keep your aches and pains in check, you need to see your doctor. When taken for long periods, ibuprofen can also increase the risk of stomach ulcers. The drug inhibits enzymes that, among other things, aid in the production of mucus that lines and protects the stomach lining, so without these enzymes, the stomach becomes vulnerable to irritation and damage. Some alternatives to ibuprofen you should talk to your doctor about include acetaminophen (Tylenol), topical NSAIDs (diclofenac gel) that is not absorbed into the blood to the same extent as oral NSAIDs, nonacetylated salicylates, curcumin (an active ingredient in turmeric) and acupuncture. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. tinction in the U.S. Army’s 45th Infantry Division during World War II, where he courageously faced the horrors of the “Battle of Bloody Ridge.” In that brutal clash, Joe singlehandedly took down over 75 enemy combatants, earning the prestigious Silver Star for valor. Today, a proud memorial stands at the corner of Oakland Street and Highland Avenue — an enduring tribute to Joe’s bravery and sacrifice. Every year, during the Saint Rocco Procession, we pause at this sacred site to honor his memory and reflect on the courage of a true Malden hero. Here is an excerpt from his personal diary: “As I am left behind at the rear, on August 15 the boys made the invasion of southern France. During all my time overseas, I never missed a day of action and thanks to G*d and my wife’s prayers and everyone else who prayed for me that I am in good health. “Things I will never forget concerning combat and the boys: Gilliam and I were the best of pals, and I sure hated to say goodbye to him. We were always together, and the boys always kidded us by telling us we were married to one another. “The boys of my squad I could never forget. The captain told me I had the best boys in the company, and I felt very proud. They were never sick or scared. They were kids full of pep. Out of the 45 boys in my platoon that came over to Sicily, there are only 7 left.” As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — there’s a photograph, a black-and-white freeze-frame from another lifetime, that found its way back to me recently. It had been tucked away in time, forgotten like a childhood toy in the attic (aka my grandson Christian’s Sheriff Woody Pride?) until it resurfaced, almost magically, on Facebook. And the moment I saw it, I was transported — not just to a MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 27 - LEGAL NOTICE - City of Malden Massachusetts INSPECTIONAL SERVICES 215 Pleasant Street, 3rd Floor Malden, Massachusetts 02148 (781) 397-7000 ext. 2030 MALDEN SITE PLAN REVIEW COMMITTEE for ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS PUBLIC HEARING The Malden Site Plan Review Committee for Accessory Dwelling Units will hold a public hearing in Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA, Mayor’s Conference Room, 4th Floor, at 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, on the petition of Weber DePaula of UP Homes LLC on behalf of Jose Eustaquio and Isadora Coelho, filed in Permit Application #RES-071467-2025 under Title 12, Code of the City of Malden, Section 12.32.030.D, seeking Site Plan Review and Site Plan Approval of a proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit to be constructed in the basement of the single-family dwelling, at the property known as and numbered, 18 Lynn Street, Malden, MA, and by City Assessor’s Parcel Identification #123 486 620. Petition and plans are available for public review in the Inspectional Services Department, Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Room 330, Malden, MA and through the City website under Permit Application # RES-071467-2025 at https://maldenma energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/SelfService#/home By: Nelson Miller Building Commissioner June 6, 13, 2025
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