(white blood cells) are granulocytes (neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils),
lymphocytes (B-cells, T-cells, and natural killer cells), and monocytes.
Combating Inflammation
Although inflammation is a natural response to injury, this process can be
uncomfortable for a patient, especially when there is fever, pain, and swelling.
Anti-inflammatory medication can be given to reduce the inflammatory
process and bring comfort to the patient.
Anti-inflammatory medication stops the production of prostaglandins result-
ing in a decrease in the inflammatory process. There are three categories of anti-
inflammatory medication.
1.Analgesic. Pain relieving medication
2.Antipyretic. Fever reducing medication
3.Anticoagulant. Inhibits platelet aggregation (grouping to form clot)Many anti-inflammatory medications fall within all three categories. Aspirin
is one of them, which is the oldest and least expensive anti-inflammatory med-
ication available and, along with acetaminophen and ibuprofen, is the choice for
relieving headaches.
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are frequently used as anti-inflammatory
agents. This group of drugs can control inflammation by suppressing or pre-
venting many of the components of the inflammatory process at the injured
site.
There are other anti-inflammatory medications that are not chemically the
same as corticosteroid medication. These are referred to as nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are appropriate for reducing swelling,
pain, and stiffness.
There are eight groups of NSAIDs.
1.Salicylates (related to aspirin)
2.Parachlorobenzoic acid derivatives or indoles
3.Pyrazolone derivatives
4.Propionic acid derivatives
5.Fenamates
6.Oxicams
7.Phenylacetic acids
8.Selective COX-2 inhibitorsCHAPTER 12 Inflammation^199