We all experience pain at some point in our lives, as much as we try to avoid it. But according to Panela Moore, a Registered Pharmacist with London Drugs, acute pain (short-lived pain with a known cause) is actually useful. It tells us there’s a problem or injury we need to address. That doesn’t mean you have to live with pain, however! There are lots of options for pain relief medication and other pain treatments.
What is the Right Pain Medication for You?
It’s important to take the right medication for the pain you’re experiencing. Pain can affect your muscles, bones and joints, your nervous system, and your organs. You can also experience different kinds of pain at the same time.
Taking the wrong medication for your problem, or taking more than the recommended dose, will not actually result in faster relief. At best, it’s a waste. At worse, it can increase the likelihood you’ll experience adverse effects.
As Moore says in our latest Health Tips video: “Pain is something we all experience, and it’s important we understand it so we can get the right treatment for the job.”
The Big Three Pain Relievers
Let’s talk about the big three:
- Acetaminophen
- Ibuprofen,
- ASA (acetylsalicylic acid)
These are more commonly known as Tylenol, Advil, and Aspirin, respectively. We often think of these three medications as interchangeable, but they’re not. They affect the body differently and should be used for different types of pain.
Tylenol works by elevating the body’s overall threshold for pain, so the pain you feel is lessened. It’s good for things like headaches and arthritis pain. It also helps reduce fevers. But it’s not good for swelling, and shouldn’t be used by those with liver problems.
Advil and Aspirin belong to the same class of drugs: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). This means that they’re both effective at reducing pain caused by inflammation like toothaches and muscle sprains. However, because of the way they affect the body, they should not be used by people with stomach issues, kidney disease, or high blood pressure.
Non-medicinal Pain Relief Products
There are also other pain relief options that aren’t medications:
- Topical pain relief treatments like Voltaren
- Braces that can help support weakened muscles
- Electric stimulators that can help block pain
It’s important that you get the right tool for the job in order to effectively treat your pain and prevent any unnecessary complications or adverse reactions. If you’re not sure about what the best option is for you, visit your local London Drugs and talk to a pharmacist for recommendations.
Check out London Drugs’ range of pain relief products online or visit your local London Drugs to talk to a pharmacist about getting the pain relief you need.
