Many people imagine that pain often does not require thinking about booking an appointment to see a doctor. The easiest way to solve the problem is to go to the pharmacy, where there are many pain-relieving medications, the dispensing of which does not require a prescription signed by a specialist. However, no medication is suitable for all types of pain. People also face the dilemma of knowing which medicines are safe on the shelves of pharmacies, and what is the best treatment for pain. Which is better: aspirin? Paracetamol? Ibuprofen? So the issue requires knowing the truth about those medications that can be used without medical supervision to relieve pain.
Doctors and scientists divide over-the-counter pain relievers into three main categories. Most notably non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, Advil, and naproxen. These drugs do their job by interfering with the body’s ability to produce chemicals that cause pain and inflammation. These drugs provide better pain relief from inflammation, compared to other painkillers. And if the person is healthy, he does not suffer from any problems in the kidneys, stomach, and heart; Aspirin is the best option, because it is the fastest way to relieve pain that does not last long, such as a headache, for example. And if a person suffers from heart failure, he should avoid taking aspirin, because it can exacerbate his condition. Also, non-steroidal pain relievers can enhance the effectiveness of blood-thinning medications, to prevent blood clots (thrombosis).
And if there is no choice but to avoid non-steroidal pain relievers, because the person has a stomach ulcer, is allergic to aspirin, or suffers from asthma; The best medication to take is acetaminophen, which is commercially called Tylenol. It is the best choice for children under the age of 12, pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is definitely the best pain reliever for the elderly with kidney problems, and for people who take medication to ensure blood flow. Ironically, people don’t know how acetaminophen works, even though the drug has been available for more than 100 years. It, like all non-steroidal analgesic drugs, can reduce fever and relieve aches and pains. But it doesn’t do anything to fight infections. Despite the passage of those years since its discovery, scientists still do not know what this drug does in parts of the brain to succeed in removing pain! To ensure that unwanted complications are avoided when taking acetaminophen, it is preferable for the individual to be keen to know the composition of the pain reliever that he can buy from the pharmacy without a prescription, because a large number of cough and cold medicines contain acetaminophen mixed with other compounds.
There are anti-pain and anti-inflammatory medications that the US Food and Drug Administration has classified as healthy dietary supplements, including magnesium, turmeric, and arnica. They are natural ingredients that can be consumed in the largest quantity. But of course there are aspects that I see that must be alerted to. Too much magnesium supplements can cause severe diarrhea. Turmeric is also very useful for fighting infections. But it enhances the effect of blood-thinning drugs. Arnica has been used for hundreds of years in alternative medicine. It is now available in the form of ointments and tablets for pain relief. Studies show that it is able to reduce inflammation, and it can relieve the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, and lower back pain. Some perfumers also offer this herb in the form of tea. It is sometimes called “Arnica”. But doctors advise not to take it like tea. In any case, scientists advise the need to consult a pharmacist before taking any medicine made from natural herbs. Assistant Professor at the College of Pharmacy at the University of Houston, Rania El-Desouki, says that it is necessary to see the leaflet attached to the package of pain-relieving drugs, especially the purpose, use, warnings, and instructions on how to use. It is known that the drug leaflet included in each package provides information regarding the appropriate ages for use, the amount of dose, and the number of times that the medicine can be taken. Pharmacists and doctors believe that reading alone is not enough. The person should understand what these leaflets say. You may advise against taking this medicine if the person is taking a drug or other drugs for other medical conditions. In all cases, the person must know the amount of the dose, the number of times it is allowed to be taken, and the maximum dose that can be taken. And if a person suffers from diseases such as kidney disease, breathing difficulties, high blood pressure, and colon problems, all of which are diseases and conditions that can be negatively affected by taking medicines available without a prescription in pharmacies, then he must speak to the pharmacist before buying, or consult a doctor. . Dr. El-Desouki believes that consulting a pharmacist or doctor is very important before an individual takes medicine from a pharmacy without consulting a doctor or pharmacist. She adds that the golden advice is not to take these medications for longer than necessary. Specialists point out that the majority of non-prescription medications treat symptoms. But it plays little role in addressing the real causes of the disease. Therefore, the best advice in this regard: Do not take more pain-relieving medications than you need. Remember, too much aspirin can be fatal. In conclusion, the type of pain reliever that you need depends on the nature of the pain, its location in the body, and the data related to the health condition, medical history, and the type of medications that you take. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are useful for relieving the pain of infections, but for a person with impaired liver or kidney function, they can exacerbate the disease. And if you can’t consult your doctor or pharmacist, it’s better to take a drug you’ve tried in the past and it works for what you used it for. And follow the traditional advice of doctors: “When necessary.”
Health myths.. and popular wisdom!
Chicken Soup Helps Treat Colds and Flu: That saying is true. Scientists have proven that chicken contains vitamin B12, some other antioxidants, and vitamins that boost the immune system. Chicken is also rich in protein, which is useful for repairing damaged cells. Adding more vegetables to the chicken broth will increase the amount of vitamins and minerals needed to aid recovery.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away: a saying that has no scientific validity. While it is not valid, it can keep you away from going to the pharmacy! A study indicates that those who eat an apple every day do not need a large number of prescription medications. The researchers said that this is due to the fact that those who eat an apple every day are mostly healthy people, have advanced educational levels, and do not smoke tobacco. And not because the apple has magical healing powers. Since an apple is rich in nutrients, nothing will harm you if you decide to eat it every day.
Going out with wet hair causes a cold: This saying is not true. If wet hair makes you shiver, it is a reaction to an infection. You may have a developing infection. But if you are generally in good health, you will not catch a cold. The immune system is affected by the lack of hours of sleep and stress, which makes the individual vulnerable to disease. But the flu infects its infection from one person to another, especially in the cold seasons. It is known that germs and viruses spread easily when people are in closed rooms that lack ventilation.
Carrots improve sight: This statement is correct. Carrots contain vitamin A, which is essential for healthy vision. The deficiency of this vitamin makes it difficult to look in dim light. Therefore, nutritionists advise to eat more carrots, sweet potatoes, and green leafy vegetables for good vision at night.
Feed the flu and starve the fever: True. It is more correct to say that it feeds the virus and starves the germ. Because good nutrition is essential for recovery. Therefore, if you want to stimulate the immune system to move against the virus that causes the common cold, you should take hydrocarbons. However, for infections caused by a bacterial infection, fasting is beneficial to ensure that the immune system does not over-react to the bacterial infection.
Turmeric helps prevent heart disease: a true saying, because turmeric is known for its ability to fight infections, as well as containing antioxidants. All of which are important elements in the fight against heart disease. Doctors describe the oxidation process as rusting of iron. Nutrition experts say that the absorption of the active elements in turmeric (curcumin) requires fats such as olive oil and some black pepper. But exaggerating turmeric can interfere with the action of blood-thinning medications.
