How do pain killers kill pain?

Answer 1

Basically narcotic pain killers act on the CNS (central nervous system) by blocking nerve receptor in the brain. The pain killer don't actually kill the pain but reduce the feeling of pain by making your brain think the pain has been killed. That's why depending on the level of pain you have you may feel some minor pain while on the narcotics.

NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) work through chemical teansmission that reduce inflammation in the body. There are types; COX-1 and the newer COX-2.

Answer 2

Neural impulses (and therefore pain impulses) are transmitted via the nerves. The nerves are formed by different cells which are not completely in contact with each other, believe it or not. These gaps between nerve cells are called synapses and are easily jumped by the pain impulses. However most of the common analgesics (pain killers) put a kind of chemical roadblock on the synapses making it impossible for the impulse to jump the blocked synapse and to reach the brain pain center. Et voila The pain SENSATION has been killed. The pain still very much exists.

Answer 3

They DONT they mask it


Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. The place where the skull connects to the spine press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.

Answer 4

Opioids
When you have pain, your nerves report the information to special receptors. A receptor works like a receiving station. It gets a message and passes it on. When the receptors get a message that you are having pain, they send a pain message to your brain. Your brain tells you that you are having pain. Opioids work by keeping the receptor from getting the message that you are having pain. You still have pain, but opioids keep your brain from telling you that you have it.

NSAIDs
NSAIDs work to block the effect of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase. This enzyme is critical in your body's production of prostaglandins. It is prostaglandins that cause swelling and pain in a condition such as arthritis or bursitis. Therefore by interfering with cyclooxygenase, you decrease the production of prostaglandins, and decrease pain and swelling associated with these conditions.
Prostaglandins also have other important functions in the body. One type of prostaglandin (there are many varieties) helps line the stomach with a protective fluid (called gastric mucosa). When the production of this protective fluid is diminished, some people are at risk for developing stomach ulcers.
In the past several years, some newer medications have come on the market; these are commonly referred to as COX-2 inhibitors. Remember, all NSAIDs work against cyclooxygenase (COX). Traditional NSAIDs (e.g. Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve) work against both COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 and COX-2 are both types of cyclooxygenase enzymes that function in your body. The new medications (e.g. Celebrex) work primarily against COX-2, and allow COX-1 to function normally. Because COX-1 is more important in producing the protective lining in your gut (gastric mucosa), these newer NSAIDs are believed to have less of a risk of causing stomach ulcers.

That said, the newer NSAIDs have not been shown to work any better against the COX-2 enzyme. Therefore, the COX-2 inhibitors have the benefit of possibly having fewer side-effects, but not necessarily better relief from symptoms.

Answer 5

pain killers kill pain

Answer 6

Pain killers do not kill pain, they simply dull your awareness of it.

Answer 7

Most of them block out the pain receptors in the brain. If your brain can't feel the pain then you have none.

Answer 8

by blocking the nerves that make you feel the pain.

Answer 9

yep blocking the nerves.

Answer 10

I believe it has something to do with the transmittal of nerve recepters that tell you...........OW!