How to use analgesics in patients with osteoarthritis?
Dear friends, nice to meet you!Now it is time for “Health talk for three minutes every day”,My name is Huang Ximei, a doctor of Daojian Doctor Group of Cardiovascular Rehabilitation.Today, I will mainly introduce how to use analgesics in patients with osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative arthropathy and the most common type of arthritis in the elderly.It is the main cause of pain and disability worldwide.The prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis is about 10% in men and 13% in women over 60 years old.
Pain is the main symptom of osteoarthritis,but many people think that painkillers have side effects and make people easy to form dependence. Therefore, they think that painkillers are not good and resist using painkillers.They would rather endure pain than use painkillers.In fact, pain not only causes physical discomfort,but also affects many aspects, such as mood, sleep, stress response and so on.Therefore, effective analgesia plays an important role in the treatment of osteoarthritis.All kinds of painkillers have different effects and principles of action, which make people dazzled.So, what are the commonly used analgesics for osteoarthritis?There are two types of commonly used analgesics for osteoarthritis,one is non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the other is central analgesic.
Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
NSAIDs are the most commonly used drugs to relieve pain and improve joint function in patients with osteoarthritis.This kind of medicine is not new to us. Because it was originally invented as an antipyretic and analgesic drug,it was used to reduce fever and to treat the whole body pain caused by influenza. The main principle of its action is to inhibit the synthesis of an inflammatory mediator "prostaglandin", so as to play an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effect.
Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are not addictive, and the main adverse reaction is the increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Central analgesic
Central analgesics mainly affect the receptors related to pain sensation in the central nervous system. A large part of central analgesics are opioid analgesics, and opioid analgesics mainly act by stimulating opioid receptors.Tramadol is the most common non opioid central analgesics.Buprenorphine, morphine, codeine and fentanyl are common opioid analgesics. There are oral preparations, injections and patch preparations for external use.Central analgesics, especially opioid analgesics, have a relatively high incidence of adverse reactions and addiction,which should be used with caution.
Hearing these, you should have a certain understanding of the types and characteristics of pain relief drugs for osteoarthritis.In the treatment of osteoarthritis, pain relief is a very important aspect. The rational use of analgesic drugs can help relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life.Do not deliberately reject and conflict with painkillers.
How should patients with osteoarthritis choose appropriate medication?
The analgesic drugs for osteoarthritis can adopt the principle of "ladder treatment", that is, step by step, starting with high-efficiency and low-cost first-line drugs. If the effect is not good, then increase or adjust the medication.
External NSAIDs can be used as the first choice for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis pain,especially for patients with gastrointestinal disease, cardiovascular disease or physical weakness.
Patients with persistent pain or moderate or severe pain can take NSAIDs orally, but they should be alert to gastrointestinal and cardiovascular adverse events.
Central analgesic drugs should be used with caution.It is not recommended to use them on their own, and they must follow the doctor's advice.All of the above are the principles of using analgesics for patients with osteoarthritis.To implement the specific drug use and personalized treatment,you should consult the doctor to correctly use the analgesic under the doctor's advice and guidance and avoid abuse.
