Why we feel pain and how to cope with it

Why does pain occur?

Pain is an unpleasant sensation that occurs during injuries and illnesses. It can manifest itself in different ways. For example, tingling, numbness, aching, burning or shooting pain.

Different people never experience pain in the same way. But for everyone, an unpleasant sensation is an important signal from the nervous system. It warns of harmful changes in the body that need to be addressed in order to begin treatment in time.

Although pain has a useful function, it has a negative impact on the body and mental state. Long-term physical discomfort can lead to feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It can prevent people from doing the things they used to do and from enjoying life. Therefore, it is not worth it to endure the pain.

What types of pain are there?

Based on duration and frequency of occurrence, three types of pain can be distinguished:

● Acute pain usually occurs suddenly due to illness, injury, or inflammation. For example, due to a burn, broken bones, dental problems. The discomfort goes away as soon as its cause is eliminated. But if a person does not undergo treatment or does so ineffectively, acute pain can become chronic.

● Episodic pain occurs from time to time and may accompany chronic diseases. This type of discomfort appears, for example, with migraines and sickle-cell anemia.

● Chronic pain lasts longer than three months and, in some people, can last for years. This type of pain can be caused, for example, by rheumatoid arthritis, which affects 18 million people worldwide. Constant discomfort is also characteristic of arthritis, osteoporosis, and fibromyalgia. But in some cases, chronic pain occurs for no apparent reason. Due to constant discomfort, a person may experience problems with sleep, anxiety and depression.

What helps to cope with pain

First of all, you need to see a doctor. The doctor will ask about the nature of the discomfort and conduct an examination. If the cause of the problem is not obvious, additional research may be needed, as well as a visit to a specialist. This will help to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

But in any case, the doctor will prescribe a medication to help manage the discomfort. For mild to moderate pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually prescribed. This is the name given to a group of medicines that reduce inflammation, relieve fever and pain.

There are dozens of NSAIDs, but they all have the same mechanism of action: the medicines block a group of enzymes calledcyclooxygenases. They are responsible for the production of prostaglandins, a group of compounds with hormone-like effects that control many different processes, such as inflammation, blood flow, and blood clot formation.

Common NSAIDs prescribed by doctors include the following.

Ibuprofen

It is taken for menstrual pain and toothache, as well as during acute respiratory viral infections or flu to bring down the temperature.

Aspirin

It is also used for high temperatures, as well as for muscle ache, headache and toothache. The medicine should not be given to children and adolescents under 16 years of age, as it can cause them to develop a life-threatening disease called Reye syndrome.

Diclofenac

It is used for menstrual cramps, symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. But this drug is more likely than other NSAIDs to cause heart-related side effects.

Meloxicam

The medicine is suitable for adults and children over 12 years of age. The product is used to relieve pain in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (if the child weighs more than 60 kg) and other inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the musculo-skeletal system.

Studies show that meloxicam causes significantly fewer gastrointestinal side effects than another NSAID, Diclofenac. This medicine is also considered safer for people with cardiovascular diseases than other NSAIDs. They may increase the risk of stroke or heart attack.

GEN Farma Rus LLC has a marketing authorization for Meloxicam. This means that the manufacturer supplies a drug that is safe for patients. In pharmacies this medicine will be available in a dosage of 15 mg.

Naproxen

It is recommended for gout, menstrual pain, as well as sprains and ligament tears. But if you take the medicine for a long time, there is a risk of developing a stomach ulcer. Therefore, doctors usually prescribe Omeprazole along with the medicine.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are among the most commonly prescribed medications. However, despite this, they can causeside effects. For example, bloating, constipation or nausea. In addition, NSAIDs interact with other medications. Therefore, before using any medication, you should consult a doctor. He will ask about the medications you are already using and will also select an effective dosage of painkiller.

Along with medications, your doctor may recommend non-drug methods to relieve discomfort. For example, people with chronic pain are often recommended cognitive-behavioral therapy and exercise such as walking or swimming. But they can only work in combination with the main treatment.

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All information presented on the website is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for expert advice.