It starts off as an ache in your back or knees. A quick Google search will bring you a wealth of information and ideas. However, not all the information is accurate, and some may be dangerous. Then you get the diagnosis of osteoarthritis, and the doctor tells you it is a progressive disease. Does that mean that you will never recover? If you or someone you love has osteoarthritis, the diagnosis will change their lives.
It can be painful, stiff, and disabling. Some days you don’t even want to get out of bed. However, there’s no reason to resign yourself to a lifetime of pain and discomfort. You can live better, feel better, and lead a longer and healthier life. There is hope, and you don’t have to go through the worst part of the disease if you take care of yourself and follow medical advice from day one.
But what type of treatment is usually recommended for this type of disease? In this article, we’re going to cover the basics of osteoarthritis treatment. After reading, you will have a broad understanding of the topic, but you will still need your doctor’s guide to apply all that knowledge to yourself.
With that in mind, let us start talking about pharmacologic treatment.
Pharmacologic treatment
When we talk about pharmacologic treatment, it means medical treatment based on drugs. In osteoarthritis, this treatment plays a significant role because it helps you manage pain symptoms through various painkillers.
For instance, we have:
1) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
We all know these over-the-counter meds. They include ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. These medications are used to relieve pain and inflammation. They work by blocking the release of chemicals that cause pain and swelling. However, there are some side effects that you should be aware of. These include stomach cramps, nausea, and peptic ulcers. Topical preparations can also be prescribed to relieve arthritic pain and discomfort. They are applied to the skin and act locally to reduce inflammation. Thus, they are less likely to cause side effects. All of these medications work by reducing the amount of prostaglandins that are released into the body. Prostaglandins are chemicals that cause pain and inflammation. They are found in the stomach lining, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum. They also help to regulate blood clotting.