FitSugar

DrSugar Answers: Best Medicine to Take For a Headache?

DrSugar — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:31:52 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she gives us the skinny on OTC pain medications.

Dear DrSugar,
Do the different types of over-the-counter pain relievers work better for different problems? What should I take for a headache - is aspirin better than ibuprofen? What should I take if I have a fever or the flu? Is there one that's best for dealing with swelling for twists and sprains? What about a pulled muscle? I look in my medicine cabinet and don't know what to take for what ails me. Thanks!
- Pained and Confused

This is a great question since there are so many options for over-the-counter pain relief available, making it quite difficult to keep straight which one is good for different problems! To learn more about the different OTC pain medications and which one to use for different medical problems, keep reading!

A Breakdown of Common OTC Pain Meds

Leta Shy — Fri, 06 May 2011 01:21:27 PDT

Do you know what's in your medicine cabinet? A recent report in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine found that while over-the-counter medicine use is prevalent, many people don't know much about the active ingredients in popular painkillers like Advil and Tylenol.

When asked about the difference between common pain relief brands, most of the study's participants didn't know what was in Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve, or that overdosing on Tylenol, for example, could lead to serious liver damage.

While you may not think twice about popping a few pills the day after a particularly strenuous boot camp session, the fact is that the side effects from overdosing on painkillers can be serious. In fact, acetaminophen overdose continues to be the leading cause of liver failure in the United States.

Confused about whether you should take Tylenol or Advil for a pain, or what the correct dosage is? Read on for a chart of the most common OTC painkillers on the market after the break.

Kiddie Wellness: Medicine You Should Avoid Giving to Your Tot

LilSugar — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:00:57 PST

Tis' the season for your lil one to catch a cold or the flu. Before you reach into the medicine cabinet to treat him on your own, read this list of medicines to avoid giving your child from BabyCenter. Best practice says when in doubt, contact his pediatrician, but check out the slideshow for a few tips before even picking up the phone.

Source

DrSugar Answers: Daily Aspirin For Heart Disease? I'm Only 27

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:00:00 PDT

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Dear DrSugar,
I recently went to the doctor for a checkup. Because my family has a strong history of heart disease, the doctor ran some additional tests. The only test that came back abnormal revealed that I had high levels (4.9) of C-reactive protein. The doctor told me I should start taking aspirin daily to reduce my risk of heart attack. I'm only 27 years old and I have normal cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight. Isn't daily aspirin a little drastic? Should I be concerned about serious heart problems?
- Heartily Concerned

To see what DrSugar has to say about this matter, just

read more. First, I think it is great that due to your family history and you went and got a checkup. Heart disease, in the form of coronary artery disease (i.e. heart attacks), is the leading cause of adult mortality in the United States. There are multiple known risk factors for developing heart disease including: age, sex (men more than women), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and family history. The C-reactive protein test that you mentioned is a nonspecific test, but has been associated with higher incidences of heart disease in a limited number of studies. Its role in treating patients has not been defined. Given that you have normal blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol, the most important risk factors to discuss in your case are age and family history (assuming you don’t smoke). It would be exceedingly rare to suffer a heart attack at an age less than 40. Unless you have a female relative, i.e. sister or mother, who has had a heart attack before they turned 40 then your chances are close to zero. Aspirin has been shown to reduce the incidence of heart attacks. It is generally used based on a person’s 10-year risk of having a heart attack. This can be calculated easily by using the Framingham Risk Score, which is based on a large-scale study of heart-attack risk. Assuming what you told me is accurate, your calculated risk would be less than 1 percent risk of having a heart attack in the next 10 years. Doctors generally recommend aspirin for anyone with greater than 6 percent risk over 10 years. This risk score does not account for family history, but your family history would have to be very strong to alter the risk. Also remember that men generally have heart disease at a younger age than women. So if your father had a heart attack at 40, you are unlikely to be at risk until later in your 40s or 50s. I think it is always a good idea to get a second opinion if you are unsure about your doctor's advice. In the meantime, the most important things you can do to avoid heart attacks in include regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, avoiding cigarettes, and regular checkups to makes sure you have normal blood pressure and cholesterol. If you have a question for DrSugar, send me a private message here and I will forward it to the good doctor. DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

Style For Style: Removing Nasty Armpit Stains

FabSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:00:22 PDT

Lily Donaldson and Gemma Ward make doing laundry look glamorous, but for those of us in the real world, it's anything but. Whether you're doing it in a ball gown or not, the reality is that yellow pit stains are one of the things that make the process grueling. They're stubborn and a major pain to remove. Plus, they make you look smelly, certainly not a look a Fabby is going for.

To see how to remove nasty pit stains,

read more Take any aspirin, like Bayer Aspirin Coated Tablets ($5) and drop one tablet in the washing machine before doing laundry. The pill naturally dissolves and helps remove yellow pit stains, and any other stains your clothes may have. Who knew a pill could be so multi-talented?!
Source

Common Painkillers Linked to High Blood Pressure

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 12:00:03 PST

It's been recently reported that if you are frequently popping over-the-counter pain meds, you should know that they can raise your blood pressure, which in turn can lead to heart disease.

Although men were the subject of this recent study, it confirms earlier research conducted on the effects of OTC pain medication on women's blood pressure.

The medications studied are staples in your medicine cabinet like aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Researchers found, when reviewing data from both studies, that men and women who took these drugs for 6-7 days in a week were 1/3 more likely to develop high blood pressure.

The study showed that men who took acetaminophen were 34% more likely to be diagnosed with high blood pressure. Men who took aspirin were 26% more likely to have high blood pressure than non-users. Those who used ibuprofen increased their risk by 38%.

These drugs can affect the ability of blood vessels to expand and may also cause sodium retention, which are 2 factors that can both raise blood pressure.

Fit's Tips: If you've been advised by your doctor to take 1 aspirin a day, you should stick with it. If you're popping 8 ibuprofen pills a day to combat lower back pain, you should reconsider your strategy. See if you can fix the problem rather than just masking the pain.

5 Fast, Inexpensive Ways to Get Rid of Redness

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:53:00 PDT

Dry, ruddy-skin season is upon us, and if you have sensitive skin or naturally pink undertones, it can mean lots of unwanted redness all over. Not to worry, though, because there are plenty of quick, simple fixes that will get you looking nice and cooled-off again in no time; check them out.

Don't Let Blisters, Achy Muscles, or Bruises Halt Your Workout Routine

Heather Dale — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:55:29 PDT

You give all you've got to your workout, pushing yourself right up until the very end, and what does your workout do for you? It leaves you with bruises, sore muscles, and a couple of bad-looking blisters - thanks, workout! But don't let that bubble of skin interfere with your next sweat session! Keep reading for tips about how to cope with common workout wear and tear annoyances.

DrSugar: Could I Be Allergic to Exercise?

DrSugar — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:42:42 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's tackling a reader suffering from an allergic reaction to exercise.

Dear Dr. Sugar,
I work out regularly, but I have had a sort of reaction during my last two intense cardio workouts. My face turns bright red; I wheeze slightly, cough, and my eyes and nose itch. I have to stop and rest, but the symptoms go away after about 30 minutes. The symptoms seem to be similar to a food allergy, however I work out first thing in the morning and only have coffee before starting. What could be the cause of this reaction and how can I avoid it?
- Not Seeking a Workout Excuse, I Swear

Thank you for asking such an interesting question! Your symptoms that are brought on by exercise are actually quite concerning (especially the respiratory symptoms - cough and wheezing). I am glad that you stop and rest when these symptoms appear, as they could be a sign of possible allergic reaction to exercise. Yes, that's right, although rare, some people have an allergic response to exercise or physical exertion and their symptoms can range from a hives-like rash to a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.

Allergic symptoms from physical exertion are called "exercise-induced anaphylaxis," according to Medscape. The most common symptoms present with this condition are itching, hives, angioedema (swelling of the eyes, lips, throat, hands, or feet), flushing, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, chest tightness, passing out (syncope), profuse sweating, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain), and choking, throat constriction, or hoarseness of the voice. Symptoms may occur at any stage of exercise, and stopping the exercise typically resolves the symptoms. However, Medscape does note that some people continue to have serious symptoms even after they stop exercising.

Learn more about an exercise-induced allergic reaction after the break!

What to Pack in Your Bridal Beauty Survival Kit

BellaSugar — Fri, 13 May 2011 03:15:00 PDT

Even the most natural bride can encounter beauty mishaps on her wedding day. But you've spent so much time getting ready; it would be a shame to let all of your hard work crumble in the face of a beauty emergency. So consider arranging a bridal survival kit to pack with you for the ceremony and reception. It should include antacid, aspirin, Band-Aids, breath mints, feminine hygiene, and an array of beauty items for touch-ups or accidents. To see what else you should add to your wedding arsenal, just keep reading.