The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Analgesics are drugs used to control pain without producing loss of consciousness. Unlike anesthetics, which block all sensation, analgesics do not affect sensations other than pain. Mild analgesics, such as aspirin (e.g., Bayer, Bufferin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and ibuprofen (Advil), work throughout the body at the source of pain. Researchers think acetaminophen may work at the nerve endings, dulling the sensation of pain. Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents interfere with the production of pain-causing chemicals. Opiate analgesics, such as codeine and morphine, work within the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). Opiates work not by relieving the underlying reason for pain, but by changing the way the individual perceives pain. People who take opiates can become addicted to them, so these drugs require a doctor's prescription.