Treatment Strain
This section is about what over the counter treatments are available (not all treatments may be available in that country) and how they help.
- Please check all ingredients and check one is not allergic or sensitive to them.
Aim:
- Provide pain relief and continue your daily routine.
There are a wide range of painkillers and anti-inflammatory painkillers available and are available in a variety of forms from sachets, liquids, tablets and soluble tablets and patches.
Paracetamol
- Paracetamol has no anti-inflammatory action. It does help to reduce temperature and pain by blocking signals to the brain and is gentle on the stomach.
- Paracetamol must be taken to the manufacturer’s direction.
- Do not exceed dose as it can be dangerous.
- Please be aware Paracetamol can be found in many cold and flu products so don’t take them together or talk to your pharmacist if one is not sure.
- Do not store in the fridge.
- This could be used in the first 48 hours of injury if suitable.
Aspirin, Ibuprofen, diclofenac gel
- These are known as NSAID – Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. They have painkilling, anti-inflammatory and lowering fever properties by helping to blocking prostaglandins.
- They can cause stomach upset (extra caution must be taken with those who have a stomach ulcer) so it is important to have it with or after food.
- It can also raise one’s blood pressure (extra caution on those with heart problems). They must be taken according to manufacturer’s directions as exceeding the does can be dangerous.
- Please be aware that cold and flu products have NSAIDS, do not take at same time or talk to your pharmacist if one is not sure.
- This should be used 48 hour later after injury as it affects the healing process in the first 48 hours of injury.
Codeine / Dihydrcodeine
- These medications have only a painkilling property and are used in combination with other painkillers.
- They can cause drowsiness and constipation and if taken long term they can be addictive, hence one should not take it longer than three days without your medical doctor’s advice.
- This medication can affects ones breathing especially after surgery of the removal of tonsils in children and caution in adults.
- It should only be given to adults if suitable.
- They are normally used if one needs a strong painkilling response. Please be aware cough mixtures, including dextromethorphan have similar ingredients, do not take at same time or talk to your pharmacist if one is not sure.
- This could be used in the first 48 hours of injury with paracetamol (if suitable), if paracetamol alone is not relieving the pain.
Pain Killing Gels
- They have non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in these formulations. They are ideal for local pain and inflammation but one must be aware of side effects as with NSAID tablets, even though they are less likely to occur.
- NSAID tablets and NSAID gels should not be used together as side effects are more likely to occur unless your medical doctor or your pharmacist says otherwise.
- This should be used 48 hour later after injury as it affects the healing process in the first 48 hours of injury.
Cold patches/sprays and rollon products
- If one has a short term sprain/strain it is ideal to use the cold products initially.
- Products should not be used longer than seven days.
- This could be used in the first 48 hours of injury if suitable.
Heat patches/sprays and rollon products
- Heat products are more ideal if one has a longer term muscular stiffness/pain.
- They open up local blood vessels.
- This could be used 48 hour later after injury as it affects the healing process in the first 48 hours of injury.
- One can apply heat gels/packs/sprays if suitable. Person who have sensitivity to temperature (i.e increase risk of burns) should use in caution examples include:
-
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Eczema and/or Dermatitis (or any hot, red , swollen skin condition)
- Diabetes
- Some diabetics cannot tell if their skin feels hot or cold sensations (peripheral neuropathy) and may end up putting too much on causing salicylicate poisoning).
- These products can increase blood flow (as well as having hot baths) and may reduce blood glucose levels in one’s blood due to an increase in insulin levels produced by ones body.
- Avoid massaging areas when one has insulin injected as the pressure in the area may influence the way their body absorbs the shot and their alter their intake.
- Excessive heat can can cause your heart to beat faster which may be of concern if one has an underlying heart issue/cardiovascular issue.
- Multiple sclerosis
- Vascular diseases
- Excessive heat can can cause your heart to beat faster which may be of concern if one has an underlying heart issue/cardiovascular issue.
- Any neurological conditions , which cause pain, numbness, tingling sensation and/or nerve damage.
- One may not be able to tell if their skin feels hot or cold sensations (peripheral neuropathy) and may end up putting too much on causing salicylicate poisoning).
Caffeine
- Caffeine acts as a mild stimulant and is found in combination with other painkillers for moderate pain.
- It should only be used for a short period. It has no fever or anti-inflammatory properties.
- This could be used 48 hour later after injury as it affects the healing process in the first 48 hours of injury.
Vitamins
Multivitamins are not intended to prevent long term conditions, reduce infection and is not proven (or data is weak) to help with cancer.
These are essential nutrients that the body requires in small amounts to function properly.
Herbal
