Know This Before Taking Painkiller for Arthritis

KNOW THIS BEFORE TAKING PAINKILLER FOR ARTHRITIS

Pain associated with arthritis is an incessant excruciating experience for arthritic patients in India. Patients suffering from arthritic pain seek immediate relief with the extensive use of pain-killer medications along with subsequent therapies such as physiotherapy. On the other hand, the detrimental effects of these painkillers which are used to cure arthritis pain are not anonymous. There are constant reports and warnings regarding the ill effects and health risks of such medications. The jeopardy of painkillers includes augmented risks of gastrointestinal issues, infections, and cardiac problems as well as possibilities of psychosis.
Therefore, it becomes crucial to be aware of different methods to cure arthritic pain, adverse effects of painkillers and best-suited drug for your arthritic pain type. There are numerous over-the-counter (OTC) medications available that are being taken by patients worldwide for relieving arthritic pain. Below is the detailed description of some common arthritis painkillers.

NSAIDs:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a type of pain reliever. At prescription doses, these drugs also reduce inflammation i.e. redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. NSAIDs are used to treat a variety of conditions that cause pain and inflammation, including arthritis and tendinitis. NSAIDs are also used to treat pain from injury or other causes of long-term pain.

NSAIDs are safest when low doses are taken for brief periods. Side effects most commonly occur if you are taking large doses over a prolonged time (months or years). Some side effects are mild and go away on their own or after reducing the dose. Others may be more serious and need medical attention. Common side effects of NSAIDs include Stomach pain and heartburn, Stomach ulcers, Increased bleeding tendency, Headaches and dizziness, ringing in the ears, allergic reactions such as rashes, wheezing, and throat swelling, liver or kidney problems, high blood pressure, leg swelling. NSAIDs cause an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, especially in higher doses.

There are several health conditions where the use of NSAIDs should be avoided such as liver cirrhosis, heart and kidney dysfunctions, asthma, gastrointestinal issues, hypertension or if you are taking diuretics.

Steroids:

Steroids such as prednisone are strong anti-inflammatory drugs known to calm swelling, inflammation and pain caused by arthritis, which is taken either orally or injected into an inflamed joint for a rapid outcome. Elevated steroid doses are recommended temporarily to treat flare-ups of rheumatoid arthritis. Meanwhile, comparatively lower doses can be used for longer durations.
Nevertheless, long-term intake of steroids can upsurge the risk of infection, increase blood sugar levels, cause thinning of a person's bones and mass gain, alterations in heartbeat, insomnia. If steroid intake is abruptly stopped signs of sweating, chills, lightheadedness, weakness, and loss of consciousness may occur.

Narcotics:
For severe pain not cured with other medications, prescription narcotic painkillers such as Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, and Oxycodone are used.
Narcotic analgesics attach to receptors on nerves in the brain that increase the threshold to pain and reduce the perception of pain.

Common side effects of narcotic analgesics include constipation, nausea, dizziness, sedation, itching, addiction, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, dry mouth. Severe side effects of narcotic analgesics include trouble breathing, chest pain, abnormal heartbeats, cardiac arrest, death.

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