Controlling pain is a major objective in the medical community. Whether pain is temporary or chronic, it can cause physical and mental stress on the body, which can interfere with the healing process. Whether your pain is from a minor headache, back problems, or damaged nerves from a surgical procedure, there is a specific type of pain killer to meet your individual pain needs. Pain killers are available over the counter, by prescription or by injection from a physician.
NSAIDs and Acetaminophen
The most common type of pain reliever is classified as an NSAID, which stands for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug. NSAIDs are available over the counter and include medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib. The American Association of Family Physicians explains that NSAIDs work by reducing inflammation and blocking the production of prostaglandins, which are substances that signal pain by irritating the nerve endings.
Acetaminophen is not considered an NSAID, but it is an over-the-counter pain reliever. According to "Drug Information Online," at Drugs.com, acetaminophen does not relieve inflammation but it is not as troublesome to the stomach as NSAIDs can be. However, extended use or larger doses can cause liver damage.
NSAIDs and acetaminophen are most often used for temporary pain, such as headaches, fever or muscle aches.
Opioids
Opioids are described as narcotics, which are drugs that dull the senses and relieve pain. In the body's pain control system, the cells have "mu" receptors that can dull the sense of pain when the are activated. The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Tennessee explains that synthetic opioid drugs bind to these receptors, decreasing the sensation of pain. Opioids include drugs such as hydrocodone that can be mixed with an NSAID or acetaminophen, oxycodone, codeine, morphine, dilaudid and methadone. These drugs can have adverse side effects, such as sedation and sleepiness, muscle jerks, constipation, nausea and vomiting. They also can be addictive, but when used only as prescribed the risk is greatly reduced. Opioids are most often prescribed for severe, chronic pain from traumatic injuries or nerve damage.
Adjuvant Pain Killers
Also known as adjuvant analgesics, these pain killers are often given along with other pain killers listed above. According to "Cancer Research UK," these drugs include steroids, which reduce swelling in the area of pain and thus relieve some of the pain; bisphosphonates, which are used primarily with bone pain or bone cancer; antidepressants, which help relieve nerve pain; anti-convulsants, which can relieve nerve pain with burning or tingling sensations; and local anaesthetics, which can interrupt the nerve signals in specific pathways of the body.
