Pinched nerve drugs are often used to treat pain and various other symptoms due to pinched nerves, such as numbness or tingling, numbness, to weakness in body movements. Drug administration is generally adjusted to the cause of the pinched nerve experienced.
A condition that causes a pinched nerve is a herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) or a condition when the protective tissue in the space between the joints weakens, causing the vertebrae to protrude and compress the nerves. In addition, pinched nerves can also occur due to excessive pressure on the inter-joint joints.
This condition can be caused by various things, ranging from repeated body movements over a long period of time, excessive sports activities, or the impact of being overweight.
Several Choices for Pinched Nerve Drugs
To overcome a pinched nerve, the first thing to do is reduce activities that can trigger pain to appear. If this has been done and the pain is still excruciating, immediately consult a doctor so that the pinched nerve you are experiencing can be resolved immediately.
Your doctor may advise you to undergo a series of tests, as well as dig up information related to your lifestyle to determine the cause of a pinched nerve. Examination with X-rays is generally recommended to find out which part of the body is experiencing a pinched nerve.
After the doctor determines how severe the pinched nerve is, the doctor will prescribe the following types of pinched nerve medication:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Several types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, or celecoxib, can be used to relieve pain or pain felt due to pinched nerves.
If the use of pain relievers above does not work to reduce pain or if the pain from a pinched nerve is getting worse, your doctor can give you stronger painkillers, such as opioid painkillers.
Corticosteroids
Administration of other pinched nerve drugs that may also be recommended by doctors is corticosteroid injections. This drug works by reducing swelling and inflammation of the nerves and nerve pads in the spine, so that the symptoms caused by a pinched nerve can subside quickly.
muscle relaxant
Muscle relaxants or muscle relaxant, as diazepam and eperisone, can also be prescribed by a doctor. This drug works by relieving muscle stiffness and tension caused by a pinched nerve.
anticonvulsant
In certain cases, especially for pinched nerves that do not improve with other drugs, the doctor may prescribe anticonvulsant drugs, such as pregabalin and gabapentin. These drugs are also usually combined with other pinched nerve medications and antidepressant medications.
In addition to prescribing several types of pinched nerve drugs above, your doctor may also recommend physiotherapy. This therapeutic method can strengthen and re-stretch the muscles and joints around the area affected by the pinched nerve as well as relieve the symptoms caused by the pinched nerve.
If these methods have not improved, the doctor will advise you to undergo surgery. The type of surgery performed depends on the location of the pinched nerve and the cause.
Avoiding Habits That Trigger Pinched Nerves
In addition to taking pinched nerve drugs, you can also do some habits that can prevent the occurrence of pinched nerves.
This can be started by keeping the body in the right position when doing activities, avoiding being in the same position for long periods of time, and avoiding lifting heavy objects that can put an excessive burden on the body.
If you do repetitive activities, you are encouraged to let your body take a break from the activities you are doing. In addition, you are also advised to maintain a good weight and incorporate strength and flexibility exercises into your exercise program so that pinched nerves can be avoided.
Always consult a doctor before taking pinched nerve medication. In addition, ask your doctor for information about activities that should be done or avoided so that the condition does not get worse.