This
is super helpful.
It can be overwhelming to figure out what medicine to take
for different types of pain. You likely have multiple over-the-counter drugs
sitting in your medicine cabinet right now. So it comes down to: Which
medication is best for the ailment you’re experiencing?
The folks at Business Insider put together a handy chart
that provides some recommendations for selecting the appropriate drugs.
The data comes from U.S.
National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health,
the Cleveland Clinic and Harvard Medical School.
According to these sources, some drugs are more effective
than others for treating specific problems. As an example, ibuprofen
(Advil) can be more effective in reducing a fever and Aleve was
found to be better at treating pain associated with osteoarthritis.
It’s important to note that many of the drugs will work
for a variety of symptoms. The chart suggests which ones may be the most
effective.
Also, if you have pain lasting for more than a few days,
please make sure to consult your doctor immediately. Based upon your
medical history, you may want to avoid some of these medications. Again, be sure to check with your
doctor.
And one more note: Save yourself some money by buying the
generic forms of these drugs. Matthew Gentzkow, an economist at the University
of Chicago’s Booth School of Business did a study to see what type of drugs the
experts (doctors and pharmacists) were buying for themselves.
He found that 90 percent of pharmacists bought the generic
form of drugs. If they are good enough for the experts, they are good enough
for us.
Based on this chart, it seems that the go-to painkiller
for headaches is acetaminophen (like Tylenol), whereas the catch-all drug for
other aches and pains is ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin).
The No. 1 recommended use for aspirin is not for relieving
aches, pains or headaches but as a means of preventing a heart attack or
stroke.
Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
While we all have minor aches and pains
sometimes, there are certain physical symptoms that should not be ignored,
including:
1. Severe Head Pain
It may just be a normal headache or
migraine, but an overly painful headache could be a
sign of a stroke, tumor or blood clot, according to Harvard Health.
If you feel major changes in your head pain,
it feels like the worst pain ever and you’re experiencing issues in your mental
functions, you should go see a doctor.
2. Irregular Bowel Movements
Occasional constipation is normal, but if
you suddenly have major issues going to the bathroom, it may be a sign of a
greater illness.
Irregular bowels can be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome, hypothyroidism, or even
Parkinson’s disease, so if the problem persists, get checked out by
your doctor.
3. Chest Pain
It very well could be heartburn or anxiety,
but chest pain can also be a sign of a heart attack, so you’re better safe than
sorry. For women especially, heart attack symptoms are much subtler than
for men, so if you experience any unusual pressure in your upper body,
shortness of breath, dizziness, or extreme fatigue, go get checked out
immediately.
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