nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

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Word: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (often abbreviated as NSAID)

Definition:

A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is a type of medicine that helps to reduce pain, decrease inflammation (swelling), and lower fever. It does not contain steroids, which are another type of medication that can also relieve inflammation but have different effects and side effects.

Usage Instructions:

• When to use: NSAIDs are commonly used for headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, menstrual cramps, and other types of pain.
• How to take: They are usually taken by mouth (as pills), but some can be taken as creams or injections. Always follow the instructions on the label or from your doctor.

Example:

• "I took an ibuprofen, which is a common NSAID, to relieve my headache."

Advanced Usage:

• Combination with other treatments: Sometimes, NSAIDs are used in combination with other medications to treat more severe pain or conditions, such as after surgery or for chronic pain management.

Word Variants:

• NSAID: This is the common abbreviation used in both spoken and written English.
• Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: These contain steroids and work differently from NSAIDs.

Different Meanings:

• "Nonsteroidal" refers to the absence of steroids. In other contexts, "steroid" can refer to a class of organic compounds with a specific chemical structure, often used in medicine for different purposes.

Synonyms:

• Pain reliever
• Anti-inflammatory
• Analgesic (this term is more general and refers to any drug that relieves pain)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug," but you might hear phrases like:
  • "Get some relief" (to feel better from pain)
  • "Take the edge off" (to reduce the severity of pain)

Important Note:

While NSAIDs can be very helpful, they can also have side effects, especially if taken in large amounts or for a long time. Always talk to a healthcare provider before starting any new medication.

Summary:

A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is a medication that helps reduce pain and swelling without using steroids. Common examples include ibuprofen and aspirin.

Academic

Noun

1. an anti-inflammatory drug that does not contain steroids
   • NSAIDs inhibit the activity of both Cox-1 and Cox-2 enzymes

Synonyms

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
• NSAID