How do anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) help osteoarthritis pain?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Inflammation can be a life saver, since it protects your body against intruders such as bacteria and viruses. But when inflammation gets out of control, it can cause all sorts of problems, including the pain of osteoarthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, control pain by lowering levels of inflammation-making hormones called prostaglandins. Among other roles in the body, prostaglandins produce pain by attacking nerve endings. NSAIDs are one of the most widely used medications among people who have osteoarthritis.Inflammation can be a life saver, since it protects your body against intruders such as bacteria and viruses. But when inflammation gets out of control, it can cause all sorts of problems, including the pain of osteoarthritis. Nonsteroidal... More -
Stacy Wiegman answered:Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce osteoarthritis pain, as well as inflammation, swelling and stiffness in the joints.
With osteoarthritis, cartilage that supports and cushions the joints of the hands, spine, hips and knees wears away, causing bones to rub against each other. As the cartilage becomes increasingly damaged, chemicals called prostaglandins are released, which cause nerve endings to send pain signals to the brain. NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen stop prostaglandin production to reduce pain. NSAIDs should be taken as directed to avoid side effects such as stomach bleeding.
Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce osteoarthritis pain, as well as inflammation, swelling and stiffness in the joints. With osteoarthritis, cartilage that supports and cushions the... More -
Dr. Matthew McCarty answered:Osteoarthritis is caused by the cartilage between joints breaking down and leading to bone rubbing on bone. This can cause inflammation and swelling. One can see this in large joints but also in the small joints of the spine. Prostaglandins are substances our body produces during this inflammatory process. They are responsible for fever, pain, and swelling and can even protect the lining of the stomach as well as activate platelets. There are two enzymes responsible for prostaglandin formation. Cox -1 which is involved in the formation of prostaglandins that support platelet function and protect the stomach along with causing fever, pain and swelling and Cox-2 enzyme which is selective and just causes fever, pain and swelling and has no effect on the stomach or platelets.
NSAIDs can inhibit both Cox-1 and Cox-2 enzymes which allows no prostaglandins to be formed and therefore reduces pain, fever, clotting activation, protection of the stomach and swelling. Most NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Motrin) and Naprosyn (Aleve) in high dose over prolonged periods can lead to some stomach upset and slow clotting. This is why your surgeon asks you to stop these 10 days prior to surgery.
Celebrex is a selective NSAID. It is a selective Cox-2 enzyme inhibitor and therefore has minimal effects on the stomach and clotting.
Osteoarthritis is caused by the cartilage between joints breaking down and leading to bone rubbing on bone. This can cause inflammation and swelling. One can see this in large joints but also in the small joints of the spine. Prostaglandins are... More
