When we're looking at Migraine and headache information, whether it's from our doctor, a book, or an online article, we sometimes come across medical terms that can be confusing.
Sometimes, it's easy enough to substitute another word or a short phrase for the medical term. At other times, substituting just doesn't convey quite the same meaning or takes more than a few words.
Some of you have expressed an interest in learning more of the medical terminology that comes up when discussing Migraine disease and other headache disorders. So, I'll be posting a "term of the day," probably a couple of times a week. If there are terms you'd like to have defined, please leave a comment to let me know what it is.
Today's term: Analgesic.
An analgesic medication is a medication for the relief of pain that works to increase the patient's pain threshold, decreasing the sensation of pain. Analgesics range from acetaminophen to opioids.
We sometimes discuss analgesics when discussing the medications taken for Migraine, headache, and other pain.
You can read more about analgesics in these sections of our site:
For more terms, see our Migraine and Headache Glossary.
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Medical review by John Claude Krusz, PhD, MD.
© Teri Robert, 2010Last updated February 26, 2010
