Posted on 05/11/2022 8:52:29 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Using anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids to relieve pain could increase chances of developing chronic pain, according to researchers. Their research puts into question conventional practices used to alleviate pain. Normal recovery from a painful injury involves inflammation and blocking that inflammation with drugs could lead to harder-to-treat pain.
"For many decades it's been standard medical practice to treat pain with anti-inflammatory drugs. But we found that this short-term fix could lead to longer-term problems," says Jeffrey Mogil.
The researchers examined the mechanisms of pain in both humans and mice. They found that neutrophils—a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infection—play a key role in resolving pain.
"In analyzing the genes of people suffering from lower back pain, we observed active changes in genes over time in people whose pain went away. Changes in the blood cells and their activity seemed to be the most important factor," says Luda Diatchenko.
"Neutrophils dominate the early stages of inflammation and set the stage for repair of tissue damage. Inflammation occurs for a reason, and it looks like it's dangerous to interfere with it," says Professor Mogil.
Experimentally blocking neutrophils in mice prolonged the pain up to ten times the normal duration. Treating the pain with anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids like dexamethasone and diclofenac also produced the same result, although they were effective against pain early on.
These findings are also supported by a separate analysis that showed that those taking anti-inflammatory drugs to treat their pain were more likely to have pain two to ten years later, an effect not seen in people taking acetaminophen or anti-depressants.
"Our findings suggest it may be time to reconsider the way we treat acute pain. Luckily pain can be killed in other ways that don't involve interfering with inflammation," says Massimo Allegri.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
...tart cherry helps with gout...
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It does. He uses that, too.
It’s most likely the degree.
There’s got to be a balance between the benefits of the inflammation and the pain that it can cause and when it reaches the point of not being so beneficial.
I always told my kids that pain was the Creator’s way of saying “Don’t mess with that area, it’s broken”, so I wonder on much of this is ignoring the Creator’s message, using the “broken” area more than it should be, and that is creating long term problems.
I had a pinched nerve twice in 2019 from my neck down my left arm to my thumb and forefinger. Stretching I believed fixed the issue. Laid on my bed and put my arms stretched behind my head.
To help numb the pain before I used Tens Pulse Massager which uses electrical pulses to help numb the pain.
Similar:
https://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Massager-Stiffness-Soreness-Chronic/dp/B019P8T9ZY
Also, acetaminophen reduces your ability to remove heavy metals from the body.
For me, acetaminophen is useless... zero pain relief.
Cutting out alcohol and sugar will help as well
Takes a big burden off the liver and kidneys
Inflammation occurs for a reason, and it looks like it’s dangerous to interfere with it,” says Professor Mogil.
Exactly the thing I thought when a Dr. prescribed an anti inflammatory for me. Same problem I’ve always had with pain killers for work/lifestyle pain problems. Why would I want to short circuit my body’s warning system?
Good point.
It’s by design, Democrat politicians get big kickbacks from dealers and cartels or are blackmailed. Take away legal pain meds and people go to the streets...the cartels get richer. Thanks Obama and democrats for starting this mess in 2008!
Agreed. DH rarely drinks and is working hard on sugar/carbs. Does not drink soda. Stays hydrated.
His gout is secondary to HBP meds and diuretic, which he has cut in half. He has maintained weight at 180 (5’11”) or less for a decade. He has an injury that precludes a lot of exercise, but he stays active at 71.
He has 2-3 attacks/year and some long-lasting gouty arthritis in one hand. All his blood work and vitals are good.
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