Painkiller Basics

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

20 Sep 2007 09:58 AM

Not all over the counter pain medicines work exactly the same way. Here are some tips to make sure you take the right medicine for your body aches, headaches, and other pains.

• For sore muscles, sunburn, and arthritis pain, your best bet is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (also known as an NSAID). Ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin are all NSAIDs. These types of painkiller block the body's production of chemicals that cause swelling -- and swelling is really the culprit for your sore muscles, sunburn, and arthritis pain.
• Fighting a headache? Look for pain pills that contain caffeine. Many people find faster relief when using a painkiller with caffeine in it. However, some people find that caffeine makes a headache worse! Monitor your symptoms and pay attention to which painkillers work best for your headaches.
• When the kids are suffering, grab the ibuprofen. A Canadian study found that ibuprofen was more effective for relieving pain in children -- better than acetaminophen or even codeine.
• Don't give aspirin to children -- it can cause rare but fatal brain damage in children with certain illnesses. Stick to ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Always follow the instructions when taking an over the counter medication. Be EXTRA careful when taking painkillers with sinus or cough (or other) medication that already includes painkillers. If you take both, you can end up getting double the dose you really need. Always read the ingredients on your cold medicine before you start tossing other pills down your throat.

If you're taking painkillers for a long time, you may see other effects on your body. Your risk of high blood pressure may go up as much as thirty-eight percent if you use acetaminophen and NSAIDs frequently -- with high blood pressure, your risk for heart disease and stroke go up, too. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits and any alternatives for pain management.

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Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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