Chronic Pain Management by Novocur

Pain is most commonly defined as unpleasant sensation. Pain is widely divided into two categories, acute pain and chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined as pain which persists for longer duration or simply “persistent pain” is known as chronic pain while acute pain is pain for short duration.

Chronic pain may be further divided into nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain. Nociceptive pain is the pain which occurs due to stimulation of nociceptors and neuropathic pain is the pain which is caused by any damage to nervous system. Nociceptive pain is categorized 1) Superficial somatic pain 2) Visceral somatic pain. Superficial somatic pain occurs usually near the skin region while visceral is deep inside the body.

Neuropathic pain is further divided into peripheral and central. Peripheral pain occurs in peripheral nervous system and sometime considered as burning or tingling sensation. Central pain occurs in Central nervous system.

Pain is the most common problem from which people suffers. Approximately 63 percent of the people who suffers from pain go to primary care clinics. Chronic pain is the main cause of long term disability and less work output by many patients.

In chronic pain management various medicines are used but the most important group is of analgesics e.g. NSAIDs (often known as non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs or non steroidal medication) Analgesics like acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirins are used to treat the pain. Word Analgesic has its origin from Greek and meaning is to stop pain. So, it is specifically used for reducing pain of any type and in any region of the body.

Chronic pain treatment also includes use of anticonvulsants, antidepressants, anti migraine and capsaicin. Capsaicin is the drug which is obtained from Capsicum annum i.e., Red chilies. Capsaicin is the major ingredient of many medications available in the market. Many topical creams available in market also contain this ingredient. It is very useful in the treatment of lumbago and neuralgia but causes stomach problems when taken orally so irritation to skin if applied in high quantity on skin.

Anti migraine drugs are used for severe headaches in half head which is usually known as migraine. Triptan is used as anti migraine drug but it do have severe side effects so it should be used with doctors advice.

Chemo-nucleolysis is the treatment in which enzyme is injected in the herniated lumber disc to dissolve the material around so that pressure and pain can be reduced. But this procedure is very limitedly used in very severe life threatening conditions.

As a whole there are many treatments for pain but all of them have some side effects so precautions should be taken and always seek the advice of doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.