Painkiller (Analgesic)

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as 'An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage'.

The reason why it is important to appreciate the above definition is it was created by some important scientific minds who have studied pain for decades and as such, it is used as the basis for scientific research and for how pain is understood and treated by doctors.

Pain is not something that only affects a small section of the population. In fact, a study in 2016 found that 20.4% of adults suffer from chronic pain, and 8.0% of adults suffer from high-impact chronic pain. As we can see, this is a significant amount of people, which makes the problem of pain a significant issue. To treat this issue, scientists developed medications called painkillers, otherwise known as analgesics.

Painkillers are medications that are used to treat the symptoms of pain until they are gone, or at least make the pain manageable in daily life. There are several types of painkillers and each works differently. We will talk more about the different types of painkillers in the next section.

Types of Painkillers

There are four different types of painkillers. They are as follows:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) - these are the most prescribed painkillers that are generally used for conditions where inflammation is present, such as arthritis. The most well-known of these medications are the over-the-counter versions, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. In addition to relieving pain and inflammation, they can also be used to treat fevers and prevent blood clotting. This can be useful as a treatment for certain types of heart disease, amongst other conditions.
• Non-opioid painkillers - the most well-known non-opioid painkiller aside from NSAIDS is paracetamol. This medication is for the treatment of mild to moderate pain and is available over the counter in any pharmacy and many supermarkets. There are other medications that belong in this class. We will discuss some of these later.
• Opioid painkillers - these types of painkillers are known for being particularly effective in treating pain. As such, they are usually only available on prescription or from online pharmacies such as ours.
• Compound painkillers - this is when a combination of two other types of analgesic are combined into one tablet to increase the effectiveness of treating pain. For example, an NSAID combined with a non-opioid painkiller.

Who Uses Painkillers?

A wide range of people buy painkillers due to how common it is to experience pain on some level, even if it is not chronic pain. However, use of analgesics is prevalent in some groups more than others, particularly those that were much more likely to experience chronic pain than others. These groups tended to be:

• Women
• Adults who had worked previously but were no longer employed (this could be due to those unemployed due to injuries sustained at work or because of their work).
• Adults living in or near poverty.
• War veterans
• Older people

We have already mentioned that chronic pain is a type of pain that is likely to be treated by analgesics. This is not the only type of pain however that can be treated with these medications. The following are the different types of pain and people may also use analgesics to treat these:

• Chronic Pain - this type of pain is likely to be treated with analgesics and is also known as long-term pain. It does not have to be constant but can be on and off over any long length of time. This type of pain is often caused by a medical condition.
• Acute Pain - this type of pain is also known as short-term pain and lasts for less than three months. It is usually related to injury or temporary illness, and so when the condition resolves itself, so does the pain.
• There are also other ways of classifying pain, such as which area of the body is affected by pain. Examples of these are neuropathic pain, which is related to nerve damage, nociceptive pain, which is pain caused by damage to the body tissue and radicular pain, relating to pressure on the spine and back.

Benefits of Painkillers

The benefits when you buy painkillers instead of trying to suffer through the pain is that they work instantly to provide relief. Because pain is something that can essentially disable someone from trying to have any semblance of a normal life, it is so important that we are able to treat it quickly and effectively, so that we can do everything that we need to not only survive but enjoy life too.

Pain is not only something that is a physical sensation. It can take a mental toll as well as a physical toll on us. By being able to use analgesics to cure the symptoms of pain, you can:

• Attend and hold employment, not letting pain distracting you from achieving your workplace goals.
• Get healthier by being able to exercise and stay in shape. Being able to exercise also makes us feel better by releasing endorphins, as well as making us look better.
• Have an active social life, which is essential for mental wellbeing.

How to Take Painkillers

Before you take any painkillers, you should always read the dosage instructions for that specific medication. This is because different medications require different doses taken in particular ways. Some painkillers will require you to only take a tablet when you feel the pain itself. For example, paracetamol is one of these, as well as some NSAIDS like ibuprofen. Other types of painkillers, such as those used for chronic neuropathic pain, need the medication to build up in your body over a few weeks before it becomes effective. In these cases, the dosage should be taken at the same times every day to keep the dose consistent in the body.

The type of medications that are prescribed by doctors or available on online pharmacies are usually tablets, which are generally swallowed whole with a glass of water. Again, this is dependent on the specific medication. It is important that you never take more than the recommended or prescribed dosage, as this can increase the risk of adverse effects.

How do Painkillers Work

If you are looking to buy painkillers, you may be wondering how they work first. These medications work in different ways depending on the type. Some of the types that are available on our website are as follows:

Gabapentanoids - these medications are built up in the body over time, usually at a lower dose which is increased as and when it needs to be. It works by changing the way that our nerves send messages to our brain that tells us when we are experiencing pain. During neuropathic pain, this can happen without reason. If the messages from the nerves are inhibited, the pain is then reduced.

Opioids - these medications attach to proteins called receptors in our brain, spinal cord, and other parts of our body. When this happens, it blocks the messages that travel along our spinal cord which tell us that we are experiencing pain. These medications are usually best served to treat pain caused by injuries or conditions where physical pain is experienced, such as arthritis.

Painkiller Side Effects

Although it is possible for them to occur, fortunately people do not often experience serious side effects after they buy painkillers online. Like with any medication though, side effects will occur. There are usually different side effects with different types of analgesic.

For gabapentinoids, the most common side effects are:

• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth
• Headaches

For opioids, some of the most common side effects are:

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Sedation

Which Painkiller is Best?

It is not possible to honestly say which painkiller is best as different painkillers are prescribed for different reasons. Below I will list some of the medications that we have available, and in which situations they are suitable to be used:

Gabapentin - this medication is a gabapentinoid that was first approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain in 1993 and has remained popular ever since. It is the 11th most often prescribed medication.

Pregabalin - this medication is similar to the above medication; it is also a gabapentinoid and is used primarily for the treatment of neuropathic pain. It is used for seizures and herpes related pain; however, it is additionally approved for the treatment of pain relating to complications relating to diabetes. It is better absorbed than the above medication and as such is known to be a more potent medicine.

Tramadol - this medication is an opioid that is used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. After taking this medication, pain usually tends to reduce within an hour. It was first put into use in 1977 for the treatment of pain and later became available on prescription in the 1990's.

Codeine - this medication is also an opioid that is used to treat mild to moderate pain. It tends to have a quicker on-set of action than the previous medication above, as it starts to work within half an hour. This painkiller was first discovered in 1832, and the fact it is still in use today proves how effective it is.

Dihydrocodeine - this medication is similar to the previous medication above but is a derivative of it which is around twice as powerful. This opioid was approved for medical use in 1948 and is used for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain.

Co-codamol - this medication is a compound analgesic consisting of an opioid and paracetamol combined. It is used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain, is available over the counter and recommended when less powerful medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen is not sufficient.

Are Painkillers Safe for Everyone?

Generally, painkillers are as safe as many other medications that are prescribed by doctors every day. They have all been developed by pharmaceutical companies in medical-grade conditions and have been extensively tested and studied before being approved for everyday use. It is not recommended that some people take these medications however, such as:

• Pregnant women should not take them, especially strong opioids. They could cause issues for the unborn child.
• Those with sleep apnoea, as opioids can cause breathing to relax.
• Those with fibromyalgia should not take opioids, but should take gabapentinoids, which are recommended for the treatment of this condition.

In addition to the above, you should refrain from taking painkillers if you are consuming alcohol, as this can increase the risk of drowsiness amongst other side effects. Further to this, you should always check with a medical professional before starting a course of any medication to ensure that it does not interfere with any existing conditions that you have or medications that you are taking.

Before You Buy Painkillers Online

Before you buy painkillers online you should first look to see if the website you are purchasing from is genuine. Unfortunately, it is becoming more common that websites are untrustworthy and will not send out genuine medications, such as the ones that we have available on our website. If you are worried that the painkiller that you have received is not genuine, you should be able to check with a few easy methods.

Firstly, ensure that the analgesic does not crumble easily, is not chalky in texture or have odd markings that it should not have. Further to this, make sure that the packaging is correct, that it is not faded, that the serial numbers are on the blister packs and the expiry date is present and in-date. Finally, when you buy painkillers, check that the website you are buying from has good reviews, and is not listed as a scam.

You're Ready to Buy Painkillers!

So now that you have all the information, you are ready to buy painkillers online! With a click of a button, you can visit www.stretta-therapy.com , and browse our large selection of different painkillers. We are able to deliver to your door within 3-5 working days and offer some of the cheapest prices online.

If you have any more questions about the different painkillers that we offer, do not worry, our helpful team is available every day to assist you with any queries you may have. Do not delay, browse today, and relieve yourself of your pain instantly.