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Nutraceutical Alternatives to Pharmaceutical Analgesics in Osteoarthritis

Shane Heffernan Orcid Logo, Gillian E. Conway

Pain Management - Practices, Novel Therapies and Bioactives

Swansea University Author: Shane Heffernan Orcid Logo

DOI (Published version): 10.5772/intechopen.95919

Abstract

Chronic pain is a considerable health concern worldwide, effecting almost 30% of all European adults. Osteoarthritis (OA), a progressive pro-inflammatory condition, is one of the leading causes of chronic pain (effecting 13% of all those over 50 years, globally) and is the most common cause of join...

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Published in: Pain Management - Practices, Novel Therapies and Bioactives
ISBN: 9781838800260 9781838808976
Published: IntechOpen 2021
Online Access: https://www.intechopen.com/books/pain-management-practices-novel-therapies-and-bioactives/nutraceutical-alternatives-to-pharmaceutical-analgesics-in-osteoarthritis
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56542
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Abstract: Chronic pain is a considerable health concern worldwide, effecting almost 30% of all European adults. Osteoarthritis (OA), a progressive pro-inflammatory condition, is one of the leading causes of chronic pain (effecting 13% of all those over 50 years, globally) and is the most common cause of joint pain. The prevalence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) and analgesic use has been well studied and is abundant throughout the western world, with women being the greatest users and ibuprofen generally being the most reported NSAID. In the US, 65% of all OA patients are prescribed NSAIDs for pain management and form part of the current recommended strategy for OA clinical management. While some NSAIDs and analgesics are effective at improving pain and physical function, they come with significant and harmful side effects such as gastrointestinal complications, renal disturbances and severe cardiovascular events. Given these side-effects, any reduction in NSAID and analgesia use (and the resulting potentially harmful side effects) is of particular importance to OA public health. As such, a number of non-pharmaceutical alternatives (bioactive nutraceuticals) have been developed that may reduce NSAID and analgesia use while maintaining pain reduction and improvements in physical function. This chapter will discuss select nutraceuticals that are not currently in mainstream use but may have the potential to aid in the treatment of OA.
Keywords: joint pain, pain medication, non-pharmacological pain management, mechanisms of pain and action, paracetamol (acetaminophen N-acetyl-p-aminophenol; APAP), opioids
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering

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