The word arthritis means inflammation of
the joint. Arthritis may be present in more
than 100 different diseases. Inflammation
is a reaction of the body. In joint inflammation,
there is pain, redness, warmth and swelling.
NSAIDs is a group of drugs that helps to
control joint inflammation. NSAIDs are only
part of a total treatment programme the doctor
will prescribe for you if you have arthritis.
You may require other drugs simultaneously
to control the disease. Exercise, rest and
joint protection are also necessary in most
instances.
NSAIDs are not related to the steroid group
of drugs. They appear to work by blocking
the action of cyclo-oxygenase. This leads
to decreased production of chemicals call
prostaglandins which are responsible for some
of the pain and swelling of arthritis.
There are many different types of NSAIDs.
NSAIDs are classified by their chemical structures.
In general, they have similar action and side
effects. Some examples of NSAIDs are indomethacin,
naproxen, ketoprofen and diclofenac sodium.
Your doctor will decide which drug to prescribe
for you. If you do not respond well to one
preparation, let your doctor know so that
he/she can choose another NSAID for you.
NSAIDs may be taken once a day or several
times a day. The dosing schedule depends on
the half life of the drug. Do follow the instructions
given by your doctor or pharmacist.
All medications have side effects. The following
are the more common side effects of NSAIDs:
-
Nausea and feeling of
indigestion. These are common side effects.
If these symptoms occur, taking NSAIDs with
food may help. Antacids may also provide
relief.
-
Bleeding from the stomach
may occur. You may also experience gastric
pain although it may be silent. If bleeding
occurs stools can be reddish or tarry and
you become progressively more anaemic.
-
Headache, light-headedness,
dizziness and occasionally confusion. Elderly
people are more sensitive to the effects
of NSAIDs on the brain.
-
NSAIDs tend to cause
salt and water retention. When this occurs,
you may notice swelling of feet. Patients
with high blood pressure may have some difficulty
in its control. Those patients who also
have a weak heart may develop heart failure.
-
Skin rashes including
urticaria and angioedema.
-
NSAIDs can make symptoms
of asthma worse in some people who already
have asthma. These people may also have
similar problems with aspirin.
-
NSAIDs may affect blood
flow to the kidneys. They can cause or worsen
kidney failure.
Contact your doctor if you have side effects
from your drugs. If you become pregnant, you
should discuss with your doctor whether you
should continue to take the drug.
Always keep NSAIDs safely out of reach of
children to avoid accidental poisoning which
may be fatal.
REMEMBER:
There is more to controlling arthritis than
"feeling wonderful relief". Do not
self-medicate or stay away from the doctor.
Affected joints may suffer damage that cannot
be reversed. Take arthritis seriously and
get proper medical help.
