Drug treatment is a method of therapy used for all pathologies. It is used even by people who do not have special education. The “tools” with which treatment is carried out are in every home. Proper application of the method helps to eliminate temporary discomfort and prevent serious consequences.
Drug treatment - what is it?
Pathologies have long been considered a punishment. People have been trying to fight and resist diseases for a long time, inventing a variety of means to help achieve this goal.
Drug treatment is the process of eliminating and alleviating symptoms, restoring disturbed processes and he alth with the help of drugs. This process is also called pharmacotherapy. It involves the use of drugs selected by the attending physician personally for each patient. The choice of drugs is determined by a number of criteria:
- main and comorbidities, theirlocalization, form, severity of the clinical picture;
- age, gender, general condition of the patient;
- individual intolerance, resistance;
- compatibility of newly selected and already used drugs by the patient.
Therapy of all diseases to one degree or another is carried out with medication. The treatment of nerves or the elimination of pain caused by a minor injury should be carried out as prescribed and under the supervision of a physician. Incorrect use of drugs can significantly worsen the patient's condition.
Types of pharmacotherapy
The same diseases in different people proceed differently. This is due to the reason why the pathology developed, the characteristics of the immune system, the presence or absence of other disorders. Therapy for each ailment is selected individually.
The following methods of drug treatment are distinguished:
- Etiotropic, or causal therapy - is aimed at eliminating the current cause of the disease. Examples of such treatment can be the removal of a toxic substance from the body in case of poisoning, the expulsion of parasites in case of invasions.
- Pathogenetic therapy - aims to inhibit the mechanisms of the development of pathology. So, in the pathogenesis of a heart attack, thrombophlebitis, the mechanism of origin is thrombosis, therefore, drugs that eliminate and prevent platelet aggregation are used to treat the disease.
- Symptomatic treatment is the first priority, especially if the clinical picture is accompanied by pain. In some cases, the symptom ispathogenic link. Thus, when edema is eliminated in heart failure, the load on the myocardium is reduced.
- Replacement drug treatment of diseases consists in the pharmacological compensation of the lost function. The best-known example is the administration of insulin to diabetic patients. If there is a complete destruction of an organ that performs a certain function, drugs are used that stimulate a similar function of another organ.
- Preventive therapy is of the utmost importance. The disease is better to prevent than to cure. A good example of such therapy is vaccination.
Forms of drugs and methods of application
There are several types of dosage forms. All of them have their own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. In some diseases, one form or another is the only possible use. It happens that the form is not suitable for a person, for example, a swallowing reflex is poorly developed in a newborn, pills are contraindicated for him.
Medicated treatments come in the following forms:
- tablets - made by pressing the medicinal mixture;
- dragees - a spherical shape, which is obtained in the course of repeated layering of medicinal raw materials;
- granules - round or cylindrical homogeneous grains with a diameter of 0.2-0.3 mm;
- capsules - powdered raw materials enclosed in a shell;
- powders - bulk solids;
- suspensions - available in powder form, ready for use afterdilution with water;
- syrups are a liquid drug dissolved in sugar;
- tinctures - contain medicinal raw materials and alcohol;
- suppositories (rectal, vaginal suppositories) - solid forms that melt at t° from 35 degrees.
The above forms suggest an enteral route of administration, i.e. through the gastrointestinal tract (through the mouth, rectum). Parenteral forms are used bypassing the gastrointestinal tract (externally, into a blood vessel, under the skin, by inhalation):
- ointments - forms of soft consistency;
- plasters - a plastic mass applied to the surface of the skin with or without a medicinal substance;
- aerosols - medicinal raw materials in gaseous form, in special packaging.
Solutions are used both enterally and parenterally. For example, glucose solutions are taken orally and given intravenously.
Features of drug therapy in childhood
Children are the treasure of any nation. Caring for the he alth of the child is one of the main tasks of the state and the family. In children, the vital organs are not fully formed. Metabolic processes, assimilation, biotransformation of drugs differ in comparison with adults. Babies are completely unable to describe their own feelings during therapy. All this makes it difficult to control pharmacotherapy and increases the importance of monitoring the child's condition during treatment.
In pediatrics, a number of requirements for medical treatment of children are put forward:
- dosage is determined withtaking into account the age and body weight of a small patient;
- taking into account the anatomical and pathological features of the child's body;
- avoiding the administration of several drugs at once;
- drugs are combined based on pH;
- careful accounting of therapy indicating the dose, route of administration, reflection of the pharmacohistory.
With age, the child's body is constantly changing. Accordingly, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics change, all this must be taken into account when prescribing drugs:
- Absorption. The bioavailability is affected by the stage of the disease, the dosage of the drug, the characteristics of the absorption capacity of the skin, mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, and lungs. The intestinal flora is constantly changing, it is often advisable to administer drugs bypassing the intestines. Means for rectal use are considered optimal. They are highly (compared to oral) absorption, are rapidly absorbed, and are used at any age.
- Metabolism. As the liver parenchyma matures, the activity of its enzymes changes. The process of maturation of protein fractions is reflected in the rate of release of the therapeutic agent. So, in newborns, the half-life is 20 hours, and after the second week of life - 8 hours.
- Removal of the drug by the kidneys. The immaturity of the transport system of the kidneys is forced to adjust the dosage upwards.
Medicated pain management
Medicines for pain are drugs that a person usually takes on their own. This state of affairs leads to many problems. First, drowning out the pain, the patient delays the visit to the doctor, the pathology becomes severe. Secondly, the illiterate self-prescribing of drugs leads to uncontrolled exposure to chemicals, which upsets the work of most body systems. The prescription of drugs to eliminate physical suffering should be handled by a doctor.
Drug treatment of pain refers to symptomatic therapy. Elimination of discomfort with the help of drugs is carried out by influencing pathophysiological mechanisms.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, medical treatment of physical suffering is carried out with the following drugs:
- Opioid analgesics are stimulators of endogenous (internal) opiopeptides in the CNS. Taking into account the pharmacological action, drugs are divided into opiate receptor stimulants and G-protein-coupled CNS receptor agonists-antagonists.
- Non-narcotic analgesics of central action. The mechanism of action of drugs is due to inhibition of the synthesis of prostaglandins, which play an important role in the processes of pain transmission. The therapeutic effect of substances depends on the tissue on which they act. The most commonly prescribed COX inhibitors ("Paracetamol", "Feracetin"), adreno- and symptomomimetics ("Norepinephrine", "Trimex").
- Non-narcotic analgesics of peripheral action (adjuvants) - affect the nervous, cognitive components of pain behavior. The most extensive pharmacological group is NSAIDs, and the most widely used are salicylates.
Pharmacotherapyinflammatory processes
Inflammation is the body's reaction to internal and external damaging factors (pathogenic microorganisms, chemical agents, radiation, and others). Drug treatment is primarily the effect of a medicinal substance on the affected cells. Inflammatory processes are different for everyone, even if they are caused by the same stimulus.
To conduct a rational drug treatment of inflammation, you should know about the mechanism of action of the drugs used:
- Glucocorticoids are synthetic analogues of natural steroids produced by the adrenal cortex, the most powerful anti-inflammatory drugs. Hormones affect all phases of inflammation: cell damage, the process of exudate release, proliferation. Glucocorticoids are highly effective in eliminating inflammation caused by allergies, autoimmune processes.
- NSAIDs are inferior to glucocorticoids, do not contain hormones. They reduce the rapid process of inflammation, the degree of tissue destruction, which contributes to regenerative regeneration. NSAIDs differ in the strength of anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic action. The drugs are normally tolerated, do not accumulate, are quickly excreted from the body, and cause fewer undesirable effects than glucocorticoids.
- Astringent and enveloping agents. Antacids are used to reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract by neutralizing hydrochloric acid. In the medical treatment of gastritis, antacids are necessarily included in the complex of prescribed drugs. drugs based on heparin,in addition to anti-inflammatory, they have anti-aggregation and anti-edematous action.
Quite often, anti-inflammatory drugs are used in combination with vitamins. The latter reduce exudation, strengthen blood vessels, and promote rapid recovery.
Erosive gastritis: drug treatment
In the complex of therapeutic measures for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pharmacotherapy takes the leading place. It aims to relieve symptoms, achieve rapid healing, and prevent relapses.
Among all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the most dangerous is erosive gastritis (bulbitis). Pathology is characterized by the formation of erosions on the mucosa of the bulbar small intestine. Drug treatment of gastritis is carried out in a complex. The therapy regimen includes the following:
- Use of drugs that block the manifestations of acidism: proton pump inhibitors and antacids.
- Etiotropic treatment. The main reason for the development of erosive bulbitis is Helicobacter pylori infection. To eliminate it, antibiotics are prescribed.
- Gastroprotectors promote rapid healing of tissues affected by erosion.
- Antiplatelet agents help prevent blood clots from bruising.
- Antidyspeptic drugs restore intestinal motility. The scheme is determined by the doctor, the treatment is under constant control. Only a gastroenterologist can adjust therapy.
Joint treatment
Pathologies of the joints, as a rule, are chroniccharacter. Diseases are accompanied by constant pain of varying intensity, people are limited in their movements. The destructive process quickly spreads to neighboring tissues, blood flow and muscle tone are disturbed. Such pathologies are most often treated with medication.
Treatment of joints has its own characteristics. First of all, it is aimed at eliminating painful sensations. In parallel, drugs are prescribed that restore blood circulation to the affected tissue:
- NSAIDs. Non-hormonal drugs are used not only for the relief of pain. They effectively reduce the inflammatory process. To reduce the likelihood of developing adverse symptoms, COX-1 and -2 inhibitors are preferred. The drugs inhibit the release of enzymes that destroy tissues in the chronic course of the inflammatory process. They also inhibit the activity of neutrophils, thereby reducing the risk of developing allergies. Drug treatment of arthrosis begins precisely with the selection of NSAIDs.
- Correctors of bone and cartilage metabolism - agents with chondrostimulating, regenerating action. The drugs improve the metabolic processes in the cartilage, reduce the degeneration of the cartilage tissue of the joints, and accelerate the process of regenerative regeneration. Many chondroprotectors contain chondroitin sulfate, which serves as a substrate for the formation of a new cartilage matrix.
- H-cholinolytics. The use of drugs helps to reduce muscle tone, spasms, convulsions. Muscle relaxants reduce pain (a feeling of "twisting" the limbs), restore motor function. AllN-cholinolytics have a strong effect on myocardial contractility. Patients with abnormal heart rhythm during course therapy should consult a cardiologist.
- Angioprotectors. Treatment of joints with medication includes drugs with a vasodilatory effect. They improve microcirculation, eliminate cramps.
In severe forms, the doctor may prescribe hormonal drugs. Most often, Prednisolone is prescribed in the form of an ointment or tablets. The drugs have many contraindications and side effects, the course of use and cancellation should be controlled by a doctor.
Neurology
The nervous system regulates the work of all organs, the coherence of the interaction of the organism as a whole depends on its he alth. Frequent overloads, stressful situations make a person irritable, excited. Insomnia develops, appetite disappears, and then interest in life, mental deviations gradually form.
Therapy of CNS disorders is carried out with medication. Nerve treatment is carried out with the following drugs:
- Adaptogenic agents have a general tonic effect on the central nervous system, improve metabolic processes in brain cells, increase adaptation to adverse factors. Preparations, as a rule, of plant origin, their therapeutic effect develops gradually.
- Nootropics - means that have a positive effect on cognitive functions. This group of drugs has a wide range of therapeutic activity. They have antihypoxicanticonvulsant, sedative properties. Reduce the likelihood of anxiety, fears.
- Anxiolytics or tranquilizers are psychotropic drugs that reduce the severity of anxiety and emotional stress. Means affect the subcortical areas of the brain, inhibit polysynaptic reflexes. Due to the peculiarities of the mechanisms of action, drugs are included in the prescription group.
- Neuroleptics are drugs intended for the treatment of psychosis and other mental disorders. The mechanism of action is based on a decrease in the reaction to external stimuli, a weakening of psychomotor arousal.
Pharmacotherapy of kidney diseases
Most often, kidney pathologies are caused by pathogenic microorganisms. The problem is that diseases do not manifest themselves for a long time and become chronic.
The main feature of drug treatment of the kidneys is that the rate of biotransformation and excretion of therapeutic drugs decreases. In the usual dose, the concentration of the active substance will be higher, so the dose must be reduced. Treatment principles:
- Depending on the infectious agent, the presence of resistance, individual characteristics, the patient is prescribed antibiotics or antimicrobials (fluoroquinolones), nitrofurans.
- Diuretics - promote the excretion of excess fluid and urine, thereby reducing osmotic pressure and reducing the load on the kidneys.
- Anspasmodics relax the smooth muscles of the genitourinary system, improve blood circulationfabrics.
Drug therapy is used for all types of diseases. Properly selected drugs and dosage help to get rid of unpleasant symptoms and restore he alth.
