What Are The Pain Medications That Are Used For Arthritis Pt 2

Pain Medications for Arthritis, Acetaminophen and NSAIDs.

What do acetaminophen, and NSAIDs have in common? They are both used in pain management. They are common medications prescribed to those who suffer from arthritis pain. They each have benefits and risks associated with their use.

Physicians should advise arthritis patients regarding usage, dosage cautions, side effects and health risks if any, that are associated with using each of these medications. It is also important to understand any drug interactions that may exist with other medications the patient may be currently taking or may take in the future while on medication therapy for arthritis pain.

Here is a basic run-down on each of these medications and the usual reasons why they are prescribed for pain.

Acetaminophen: Most of us know this medication by the commonly known brand of Tylenol. It is commonly prescribed for the relief of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis pain. It is a good choice when the pain you experience is mild in nature and is just as effective as some prescription strength anti-inflammatory pain relievers. Acetaminophen is easy on your stomach and should not irritate or upset your stomach.

There are some medications that combine another medication with acetaminophen, so you may find acetaminophen on the label of other medications. It is important to tell you physician at the time the two of you are discussing pain management; any other medication you are taking that you are purchasing over-the-counter.

If any of these medications also include acetaminophen and you are prescribed acetaminophen by your physician he/she will need to take in account how much acetaminophen is contained in your over-the-counter medication when deciding on dosage.

The combined acetaminophen dosage otherwise may be too high. Receiving too high of a dosage of acetaminophen can lead to liver damage. If a patient consumes alcohol on a regular basis or has already suffered liver damage it is even more important to be careful taking acetaminophen. Your physician should be told of any alcohol or liver history so that the correct course of pain management can be prescribed.

NSAIDs: NSAIDs are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications that help to relive both joint swellings and stiffness as well as to relieve pain. These are the most commonly prescribed pain relievers for those suffering from arthritis.  

 

Now For Some Holistic Tips Pain Therapy Qualified practitioners of acupuncture are known as acupuncturists and when it comes to their patients they insert thin stainless steel needles into spots on the body that bare connected to the meridians and channels in the body. The goal of acupuncture is to unblock the chi, as it is believed that blocked chi is the cause of pain in the human body. The needles are inserted and left in for anywhere from a couple of minutes to 30 minutes or more. Acupuncture is a holistic form of treatment that is theorized to stimulate endorphins in the body, which are the body's form of natural painkillers. Acupuncture has been shown to successfully work well in the treatment of a number of disorders such as sinus pain, jaw pain, spinal problems, backaches with a number of different causes, and both withdrawal such as quitting smoking and mental and psychological disorders. Pain Treatments

Familiar names that are NSAIDs are: Advil, ibuprofen, Motrin, and naproxen. NSAIDs are considered to be reasonably safe by physicians, for their patients to take over a period of months or even years; they can however cause patients who use them to suffer from stomach ulcers and they may be associated with an increased risk for heart attack. NSAIDs may have an altering effect on aspirin, which is something some patients are perscribed to take for heart health.

If you have trouble sleeping because of back pain, be sure to sleep on your side with your knees bent. Try using pillows where you need them to feel comfortable. If you are overweight, try tucking a pillow under your stomach to help reduce the strain on your back.

It is important to tell your physician if you have been prescribed to take aspirin therapy for your heart health so that this information can guide him/her in deciding on the best course for your pain management. To reduce the risk of heart attack associated with NSAID usage speak with your physician about the possibility of short-term use or of using the lowest dose possible. It may be appropriate to alternate the use of NSAID with other medications for pain.

Holistic Cures for Pain

09/01/2008
Health Calendar | (The Charlotte Observer)
Sept. 2 Holistic Health Network Meeting: A special “Blessing of the Hands” observance open to anyone who works with their hands, particularly those who care for others with their hands. 6:30 p.m. Chapel of Presbyterian Hospital, 200 Hawthorne Lane. Free. 704-542-7040; http://ncholisiticnetwork.com. Holistic Health Network Meeting: Peggy Wells, RN, ND, a naturopath and owner ...

Health Calendar | (The Charlotte Observer)

09/04/2008
Inside Slant (USA Today)
While the football world awaits Sunday's soap opera-like passer's matchup of Brett Favre vs. Chad Pennington, their respective coaches are more concerned about halting each other's ground game.

Inside Slant (USA Today)

09/03/2008
Do 68 Molecules Hold the Key to Understanding Disease? (Newswise)
Reviewing findings from multiple disciplines, Jamey Marth, Ph.D., UCSD Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, realized that only 68 molecular building blocks are used to construct these four fundamental components of cells: the nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), proteins, glycans and lipids.

Do 68 Molecules Hold the Key to Understanding Disease? (Newswise)

09/03/2008
Economic turmoil takes mental health toll on CEOs (American Psychological Association)
September 03, 2008 Originally Published:20080811.

Economic turmoil takes mental health toll on CEOs (American Psychological Association)

09/04/2008
Do 68 molecules hold the key to understanding disease? (PhysOrg)
Why is it that the origins of many serious diseases remain a mystery? In considering that question, a scientist at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has come up with a unified molecular view of the indivisible unit of life, the cell, which may provide an answer.

Do 68 molecules hold the key to understanding disease? (PhysOrg)

09/02/2008
Alternative Medicine (ThirdAge)
The majority of Americans now look outside the standard health care system to treat everything from the common cold to arthritis and cancer. We are meeting with great success by reclaiming personal power in our own bodies.

Alternative Medicine (ThirdAge)