Types of Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Feeling pain is the body's way of communicating with the brain that something is wrong somewhere in the body. Nerves run messages between the brain and the damaged body tissue to communicate what is damaged and how the body can correct the damage. Though the body can heal itself, sometimes you need comfort during the healing process, which you can get from medicines that reduce inflammation and the sensation of pain.

Aspirin

• Check with your doctor before taking aspirin for your particular condition.

  Aspirin is one of the best products to take while the body is injured, as it has other benefits, such as supporting a healthy blood flow. This is especially important for individuals who have limited mobility, which is why patients who are susceptible to heart attacks or strokes are sometimes given a daily aspirin regimen during treatment. Some individuals, including children and teenagers, should not take aspirin because of diseases they can develop if taken in conjunction with certain communicable diseases.

Ibuprofen

• Follow the instructions on medications very carefully.

  Ibuprofen is most often taken to treat minor back and neck pain caused by daily activities. Take ibuprofen with food and a full glass of water to reduce the chance of having an upset stomach. Your must be careful of your ibuprofen intake, as too much ibuprofen can eat away at your stomach lining and cause you digestive problems. This medicine can also reduce the effectiveness of water pills and blood pressure medications.

Naproxen

• Combining medications is never a good idea, unless directed by a doctor.

  Naproxen is used specifically to treat back pain and inflammation. Naproxen is special because it works by minimizing the amount of proteins that cause painful inflammation. Warnings associated with Naproxen include avoiding the drug if you take oral blood thinners or anticoagulants, as the combination of these drugs can cause excessive blood thinning and may lead to bleeding. If you are taking Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), do not take Naproxen, as mixing these drugs can be fatal.

COX-2 Inhibitors

• Some side effects can be very harmful, so heed the warnings carefully.

  The newest type of anti-inflammatory agent, COX-2 inhibitors, prevent inflammation from occurring by putting a stop to the chemical reaction that causes inflammation in the body. This particular drug does not affect blood clotting, nor does it destroy the stomach lining. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has determined that the use of this anti-inflammatory drug can raise the risk of heart attack and stroke and is conducting further studies to understand what causes this increased risk.