Anti-Inflammatory Medicine Use Linked to Chronic Long-Term Pain
7/27/2022
SCRANTON (July, 2022) – Popular over-the-counter pain relief medicines, anti-inflammatories and steroids can offer short-term relief, but may leave users with long-term chronic pain or conditions.
A new study from McGill University found inflammation to be a crucial part of healing due to neutrophils, a white blood cell that helps fight infection and set the stage for tissue repair. When these neutrophils were blocked in mice with anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids, they experienced prolonged pain up to ten times the normal duration. The study determined interfering with neutrophils could lead to dangerous results including a higher chance of developing chronic pain.
“I think it’s become second nature for us to reach for anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids to alleviate pain, however by doing this we may be doing more harm than good,” says family medicine physician Jeffrey Montgomery, D.O. “Our body’s natural healing process involves inflammation and when we take medication to block that inflammation it could lead to chronic pain that’s more difficult to treat down the road.”
Depending on the type of pain you are experiencing, there are a number of low-risk options for relief that do not require medication. These include topical ointments, exercise therapy, acupuncture, massage, heat and cooling. A heating pad or warm bath can relax and loosen tense muscles and increase blood flow to an injury. An ice pack can be used to bring down swelling because it causes blood vessels to constrict.
“Talk with your primary care physician before starting any pain medications to determine what treatment option is best for you and your health needs,” says Dr. Montgomery.
To find a primary care physician, visit https://www.cwhphysiciannetwork.net/ or call 1-800-838-WELL.
Sources:
https://www.technologynetworks.com/neuroscience/news/anti-inflammatory-drugs-may-increase-risk-of-chronic-pain-361535
https://neurosciencenews.com/inflammation-chronic-pain-20565/
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-consumers-and-patients-drugs/finding-and-learning-about-side-effects-adverse-reactions
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-you-drugs/drug-interactions-what-you-should-know
https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/featured-topics/pain-management.html
https://www.cdc.gov/acute-pain/postsurgical-pain/index.html
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/home-remedies-self-care-approaches-to-treating-pain/
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