The Basics of Prescription Pain Relief

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Pain is something that all of us will experience at one time or another. Whether it is an unfortunate part of the aging process, the result of an injury or a symptom of an illness, pain can have a negative impact on one’s quality of life. Because pain affects us mentally and emotionally as well as physically, it is important to try to find methods and treatments that will bring relief. One of the treatments that many doctors recommend to their patients is prescription pain relief. Prescription medications for pain relief will generally fall into three categories: Corticosteroids, opioids and antidepressants.

Corticosteroids

The primary goal of these medications is to bring prescription pain relief by reducing swelling in the inflamed parts of the body. These medications can be given orally or through a shot directly into the affected area, and they go by names like Deltasone and Hydeltrasol. While these medications can be very effective in pain relief, there are also some potentially serious side effects including weight gain, and upset stomach, moodiness and sleep interruptions. Corticosteroids can also weaken the immune system, leaving the body more prone to infection and illness.

Opioids

Opioids fall into the narcotic family, and include drugs like morphine, fentanyl and codeine. These medications are highly effective on even some of the most severe pain, and do not cause bleeding problems like other prescription pain relief medications can. They can be addictive, however, and are generally only given for a short period of time, and under very close supervision of your doctor. Side effects of these prescription pain relief medications include drowsiness, breathing problems and stomach upset, in addition to their addictive qualities.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants work by adjusting the neurotransmitters in the brain which can bring relief to emotional illnesses as well as pain. These medications can work effectively as a prescription pain relief to those suffering from chronic pain, since they will bring a feeling of well-being and relaxation as well as pain relief. These medications are generally designed to work over the long term, and the dosages required to treat pain are usually lower than those needed to treat depression. The side effects of these prescription pain relief medications include difficulty urinating, blurry vision, constipation and fatigue.

If you are suffering from pain of any type, the good news is that there are many possibilities in prescription pain relief for you to try. Talk to your doctor today about the type of medication that would be most effective for you.