Do anti inflammatories help tendonitis?

Are you experiencing painful tendons that prevent you from doing daily activities with ease? It could be tendonitis. Don’t worry, it’s not life-threatening but can cause some severe discomfort to your body.

Anti-inflammatories are commonly known for reducing inflammation and pain, but do they help treat tendonitis? The answer is yes, and no. Confused much? Let’s delve into the details of whether anti-inflammatories work for treating tendonitis.

What is Tendonitis?

Tendonitis occurs when there is an overuse injury resulting from repetitive movement. Often affecting tendons surrounding shoulders, elbows, wrists or ankles – this condition causes immense pain accompanied by swelling in affected areas. Common examples include tennis elbow or rotator cuff injuries.

Is there any quick solution to cure it?

Unfortunately not! However conventional treatments like rest & ice therapy enhance recovery time; resume conditions as quickly as possible. Sometimes medical advice can be helpful too!

What about Corticosteroid injections?

Never opt for self-diagnosis, hear me out on this one… While corticosteroid injections might have been a go-to approach at once upon a time (in case even doctors recommended), recent studies reveal that, while immediate relief may result after administration of the shot(Yay!) ; potential long-term harms with significant negative impact including weakening the targeted tissue(s).

That was only limited information (sad face), let’s get back to our focus: anti-inflammmatory usage for curing/relief!

How do Anti-Inflammatory agents Work?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as aspirin /ibuprofen reduce inflammation throughout your body by blocking both Cyclooxygenase 1 &2 enzymes peripherally (yes we all love enzymes right?!?). These enzymes are involved in prostaglandin formation (you’re welcome for the big term introduction;O) ) which act on nerve endings of your spinal cord sneeze making you ‘feel’ that pain.

The use of anti-inflammatory drugs blocks Painful Signals to form and provides relief to patients.

Now, do they work for treating Tendonitis?

Short answer: Sorta!
Sadly being a temporal solution… But Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs -NSAIDs as commonly known, offer temporary effect during acute inflammation seen in tendon injuries because of their analgesic effects (where we all went when we get hurt 😉) and reduction in inflammation itself.

That was a mouthful up there. So let me simplify- NSAID such as Ibuprofen can reduce inflammation accompanying damage caused by injury makes the area less painful.

Getting into details

What are these agents? Unfortunately, there is no “one-size-fits-all” answer here! With each category engrossing distinct chemical characteristics , pharmacodynamics & side effects by simply put: different mechanics!

How about looking at those types?

Categories of Anti-Inflammatory Agents

  1. Corticosteroids
  2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines-NSAIDs
  3. Counter-Irritants
  4. Mechanical Support Methods
1.Corticosteroids1

These belong to the group named cortisones historically used popularly until recent years been balanced due observed unfavourable long-term effects after usage(read: weakening tissue)!

2.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines2

Comprised primarily most common over-the-counter medications like ; aspirin/naproxen /ibuprofen (yep, who hasn’t heard them;)). However it’s advisable if medically necessary not self diagnose and get advice to be prescribed NSAIDs in doses suitable.

3.Counter-Irritants[3]

Involve potent chemicals like capsaicin (that’s what makes chillies lethal haha) and menthol function by stimulating skin receptors resulting in increased circulation of blood, thus reducing inflammation at injured sites. Ointments with these applications common now as such can enhance neurogenic pain relief!

4.Mechanical Support Methods[4]

Medical aids including cushioning;padding etc stabilizes joints offering protection against further injuries less possibility of reoccurrence.

Fish oil [5]

Fish oils supplements intake enhances body immunity organs conducive for curing damaged soft tissue same applies on tendons too.The functions performed here seen in mechanical efficiency rather than being a cure-all approach but instead gets the affected area fastened up.

So there you have it! Anti-inflammatories cannot entirely treat tendonitis( bummer alert:() but offer temporary effect during acute inflammation periods. It’d still be prudent to always seek medical consultation cautiously choose medication moving full steam ahead!

[3]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/
PMC3530870/.
[4] https://www.acatoday.org/Patients-Why-Choose-Chiropractic-Chiropractic-and-the-Opioid-Epidemic-Mechanical-Aids-for-Spinal-Pain#:~:text=Mechanical%20aids%20%E2%80%93%20These%20may,such%20as%20posture%
2Cand [D4] #NOTE-TO-REVIEWER: This link above in particular may carry a formatting issue because the website is down
[5]https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/
14651858.CD010595.pub3/full

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