Training & Nutrition - taking advil after hard rides

recently have been doing this here and there because of slight head aches. but will it help any in aiding in recovery? thought i saw something along those lines not too long ago. i know it makes me head feel good!

Advil is fine to take after training as long as you are well hydrated. Advil is a member of a class of medications called NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory's). They will help reduce inflammation and can help aid in the recovery process. The key point here being that you should be well hydrated when taking this med

Ask your doctor. Advil is pretty hard on the kidneys when used regularly for a long time. You wouldn't want to improve your recovery but damage your kidneys at the same time.

I've been a regular user of ibuprofen over the years also but I recently heard about it potentially causing a problem with hearing.

There are potential effects on the kidney but they are dose, age(which coincides with kidney function) and hydration dependent. If you are taking advil strictly for workout recovery and not taking it consistently, you should have no problems. Heck, even people taking it consistently rarely have problems but if you would like to be on the safe side and i would, limit your usage. Also remember to take with food as there is potential to worsen/initiate ulcers.

As far as the potential hearing problems, this is true of all NSAID's including aspirin. There is a possibility of developing tinnitus--a ringing in the ears. Usually subsides after discontinuing the med.

All of these effects sound horrible and they are all potential side effects of a medication as simple as ibuprofen(advil). However, most of these effects are from long term use and high dosages or in patients with pre-existing conditions.

I've been a regular user of ibuprofen over the years also but I recently heard about it potentially causing a problem with hearing.

What?

Actually if you do some research you will find that the recovery time with NSAIDs is longer than if you took nothing.

just jump in a tub of ice or really cold water for 15 minutes and call it day. it works. trust me. later.

Hermes and I call ourselves "Team Advil."

Side-effects are no doubt important to consider. You have to balance them agains the "primary effects" of any medication. I am a professional musician and I have several "repetetive use" disorders related to that, as well as with cycling. For me, the primary effects of ibuprofen are more important at this time than any side-effects. Of course, for me any loss of hearing could be catastrophic.

Cycling carries with it a fairly large downside for musicians. For example, any crash that would hurt my hands makes it an income-reducing event. We pick and choose our vices. I choose (once again, after a long layoff where I thought I was forever cured) cycling. However, I am not racing this time around.

-soma5

I'm with tibike. Ibuprofen increases time-to-heal because it interferes with the natural healing process, which involves inflammation. OTOH, if you have a RSI which is due to excessive inflammation, then ibuprofen is indicated. My research indicates that side effects only occur at very high, prolonged dosages. Moderate use should be safe. I find aspirin much more effective for headaches.

Bad idea.

Why are you getting headaches? Sort that out first...water, food, too much riding?

Take care.

recently have been doing this here and there because of slight head aches. but will it help any in aiding in recovery? thought i saw something along those lines not too long ago. i know it makes me head feel good!

I think Ibu is okay now and then, but I'd be concerned of the masking pain that shouldn't be masked, and the possible long-term liver toxicity.

Can you explain more about your rides? How hard are you working, what are you eating/drinking, what is the weather like, etc...

It may be possible to treat the cause rather than the symptom.

recently have been doing this here and there because of slight head aches. but will it help any in aiding in recovery? thought i saw something along those lines not too long ago. i know it makes me head feel good!
you might be dehydrated

"Ibuprofen increases time-to-heal because it interferes with the natural healing process, which involves inflammation"

After a difficult ride, the body tends to overreact and cause more inflammation than is needed. I'm with you in minimizing medication intake but there are still benefits.

slight dehydration causes headaches. see if drinking 25%/35% more for the same ride same at temp helps