Dr Sarah Brewer reveals natural ways to treat ailments

Taking common painkillers while suffering a cold or flu can dramatically increase your risk of a heart attack, scientists warned yesterday.

Taiwanese researchers found popping tablets that include ibuprofen while battling a respiratory infection tripled the chance of an attack.

Why?

'Having an acute respiratory illness – such as flu - in itself stresses the heart,' explains Dr Sarah Brewer, a GP and Medical Director of Healthspan.

'And the combination of the illness plus a non-steroidal anti-inflammatories drug – such as ibuprofen - appears to be especially deadly.'

And while paracetamol is often touted as a a possible 'safer' alternative, its effects were not assessed during these trials, she adds.

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