Pain relievers are some of the most commonly used medications. They are typically used to relieve acute pain from conditions such as headaches, dental procedures, and injuries. However, pain relievers can also be used to relieve chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis.
While pain relievers can be effective at relieving pain, they may also have some negative side effects. In particular, pain relievers such as ibuprofen may worsen arthritis inflammation.
This article will explore the reasons why pain relievers such as ibuprofen may worsen arthritis inflammation.
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a joint disorder that results from the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage is the smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. It acts as a cushion between the bones and allows the joint to move smoothly.
Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint, but it most often affects the knees, hips, hands, or spine. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease, which means it gets worse over time. In the early stages, symptoms may come and go. But as the disease progresses, symptoms may become constant and even debilitating.
There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but there are treatments that can help relieve pain and improve joint function. If you think you may have osteoarthritis, talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for you.
Why should I not take NSAIDS?
Some studies have shown that the long term use of NSDAIDs like ibuprofen can result in the worsening if the inflammation response that occurs for people with osteoarthritis. This leads them to have more pain and high likelihood of a faster need for joint replacement.
Treating the symptoms short term with NSAIDs is a great way to reduce the pain, however they aren’t a replacement for treatment or long term care for osteoarthritis.
To actually treat this you may need to think about what you can do for your long term health – if that is for pain relief injections to reduce inflammation, or cartilage replacement. Consider a joint replacement if the pain is significant and life-altering.
NSAIDs are often used for short-term relief of arthritis symptoms. While they may be effective in the short-term, long-term use of NSAIDs has been shown to worsen arthritis inflammation. If you are looking for long-term relief from arthritis pain, you should talk to your doctor about other options such as joint replacement.