Pain Relief

Pain is a signal from our body that something is not right. Pain can be due to physical injury, some kind of disease or emotional upset. Most types of physical pain can be treated with pain relievers. Analgesics such as acetaminophen or paracetamol are for mild or moderate pain, and can also reduce temperature in fevers. Narcotic analgesics such as codeine can be used alone or in combination with other analgesics for stronger pain such as dental pain, period pain or migraines. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including aspirin) are used to reduce pain associated with inflammation such as sports injuries and can also relieve fever.

Analgesics are substances that provide relief from pain. Mild analgesics, such as the many brand-named preparations of aspirin or paracetemol, are relatively harmless. Analgesic drugs of abuse are far stronger than this and are all powerful pain killers . Some are refined from an extract obtained from opium poppies ( Papaver somniferum ) and are classed as "opiates" and some are produced by chemical synthesis.

Narcotic analgesics are used to relieve pain. Some of these medicines are also used just before or during an operation to help the anesthetic work better. Codeine and hydrocodone are also used to relieve coughing. Methadone is also used to help some people control their dependence on heroin or other narcotics. Narcotic analgesics may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Narcotic analgesics act in the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain. Some of their side effects are also caused by actions in the CNS.

If a narcotic is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence). Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects when you stop taking the medicine.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) NSAID is a drug that suppresses inflammation in a manner similar to steroids, but without the side effects of steroids. It's also effective in alleviating pain and fever. NSAIDs are commonly used to treat the symptoms of arthritis, gout, bursitis, painful menstruation, and headache. They act by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and other compounds that are involved in the inflammatory process.     Aspirin is technically an NSAID, but the term is often used to refer to nonaspirin products.