Pain comes in different forms. It can be dull or heightened, numbing or burning, chronic or acute. It could be a minor aberration or wholly immobilizing. The sensation that one feels depends on the area of the injury, as well as the way the brain deals with the signals.
Usually, pain medications attempt to halt transmission of pain from the area of injury to the brain, or to directly affect the brain. Pain medication does not necessarily have a uniform effect on people. The threshold of pain varies from person to person.
For instance, for a similar injury, one person could require Over-the-Counter (OTC) medication while another may need a powerful prescribed drug. In such cases, the appropriate medication depends not so much on the condition of the injury than the person experiencing the sensation.
The most widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is ibuprofen. NSAIDs not only succeed in stopping pain but also reduce inflammation. There are three common Over-the-Counter NSAIDs available in the market. They are: naproxen, ibuprofen and aspirin.
Basically, ibuprofen and aspirin are short-acting medications, whereas naproxen lasts much longer. In other words, it may require a few more dosages of naproxen for an effect to be felt. So, ibuprofen is generally used for quick relief from pain, and naproxen for long-term problems.
Most NSAID medications are prescribed medications. They include: Fenoprofen (Nalfon); Flurbiprofen (Ansaid); Ketoprofen (Oruvail); Naproxen (Naprosyn); Naproxen sodium (Anaprox); Oxaprozin (Daypro); Diclofenac sodium (Voltaren); Diclofenac potassium (Cataflam); Meclofenamate (Meclomen); Piroxicam (Feldene) and others.
This particular group of drugs is highly marketed by pharmaceutical companies. Different NSAIDs are advertised as being suitable for certain conditions. In case of gout, for example, indomethacin (Indocin) is regarded as the best drug. There is no concrete evidence to support such theories; facts shows that NSAIDs do not affect everybody the same way.
These medications, however, do come with side effects. The major side effect of these medications is the bleeding they can cause in the stomach. This normally happens after a person has used them for a long time, but cases of bleeding after short-term use is not uncommon. Long-term use of NSAIDs can also affect the kidneys. Acetaminophen is considered the safest and best medication for long-term use.
While pain medications have been a boon for the medical fraternity as well as the lay public, one should be prudent in their use. If a person takes medication as prescribed by a certified doctor or under instructions written in the medicine label, then the consequences can only be positive.
Related Articles of Interest :
-
Osteoarthritis Medication
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Medicine is an important component of the treatment of Osteoarthritis. A healthy alternative is to combine over the counter pain relievers with alternate treatment and medicines prescribed by physician. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting nearly 20 million Americans. Each affected person...
-
Prescription Medication
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Prescription medications like pain relievers, stimulants, sedatives and tranquilizers are wonderful tools for treatment. Pain medications make surgery a possibility and facilitate fruitful lives for people with chronic pain. Generally, people who take prescription medications use them sensibly. Conversely, the inept or non-medical use of...
-
PMS Medication
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Mild PMS symptoms can usually be managed with lifestyle changes and simple home remedies. Regular exercise and a diet low in salt and sugar can help reduce pain, cramps, and bloating. Calcium supplements have a beneficial effect on the endocrine system that controls hormone production....
-
Medication
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Medications are drugs taken to reduce or cure medical conditions and illnesses. Medications are commonly divided into over-the-counter (OTC) medication and prescription-only medication (POM). OTC medication is generally deemed to be safe. In other words, a person consuming OTC medication has little chance of doing...
-
Pain Management
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Nobody likes to suffer pain. An unpleasant sensation, pain is a reaction of the body to physical illness, injury, or mental disease. Pain is generally divided into two categories: acute and chronic. The former occurs suddenly because of injury suffered by a tissue. The injury...
-
Chronic Pain Management
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
From over-the-counter and prescription drugs to mind-body techniques to acupuncture, chronic pain can be treated in many ways. However, no single method can guarantee you total pain relief. Rather, a combination of options may help you get rid of the pain. Mild pain may be...
-
Neuropathy Medication
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Neuropathy is disease of the nervous system. One or more nerves of similar length could be damaged, thereby causing severe pain, numbness or tingling sensations. Medications are available to cure neuropathy, but these take a long time; the time taken depends on the type and...
-
Allergy Medication
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Allergy is the reaction of a body to an intolerable allergen. Individuals use various medications to treat allergy and its symptoms. It is also advisable to avoid these allergens if identified. Antihistamines are the major group of chemicals that are used as medication in case...
-
Pet Medication
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Pets bring delight to our lives. Thus, it becomes our responsibility to make sure that they get the best care possible. Maintaining the health of our pets is an important aspect of being a conscientious pet owner. Now, with the ever-growing awareness of animal behavior,...
-
Depression Medication
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Clinical depression is a condition of grief, dreariness, or anguish that disturbs an individual’s societal performance and actions of daily life. Clinical depression is a medical diagnosis and hence needs to be treated with medication. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are the traditionally used medications that are...