Published Paper Details:

Pain, an intricate facet of human physiology, results from a complex interplay of neuronal signals and psychological reactions. This review explores the physiological underpinnings and subjective nuances of pain, emphasizing its pivotal role in clinical practice and human health. Pain's multifaceted nature, shaped by personal experiences and cultural influences, poses challenges in understanding its expression. Within clinical settings, pain serves as a crucial diagnostic tool, necessitating comprehensive management strategies to address diverse patient needs. Amid escalating concerns over opioid misuse and associated risks, exploring non-opioid alternatives has garnered significant attention. This review aims to elucidate the disparities between opioid and non-opioid therapies, analyzing their respective mechanisms of action, efficacy, and adverse effects. Specifically, opioids, while efficacious in pain relief, are accompanied by a spectrum of adverse effects encompassing gastrointestinal, central nervous system, endocrine, urinary, cardiovascular, immunological, and dermatological domains. In contrast, non-opioids, including NSAIDs and acetaminophen, offer analgesic efficacy with differing side effect profiles. Through a comparative analysis, this review underscores the imperative for personalized pain management strategies tailored to individual patient needs.