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.

Eat the Pain Away

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:30:12 PST

You are what you eat, at least that's the old adage. It's also one I believe in - what you put into your body has a big affect on how you feel. There are foods that fight fat, detox foods, and foods that help you get stronger. There are even foods that help you sleep better and look fresher. Adding to the list of foods that fuel with a purpose are foods that help ease pain. Whether it's a headache, post-workout soreness, or an injury, these foods will help ease the pain away in a totally natural way.

What's the Deal With Alcohol and Ibuprofen?

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:00:57 PST

If you wake up with a headache after a night of overindulging, sometimes figuring out what painkiller to take can make the headache even worse. I've heard that it's bad to take acetaminophen (aka Tylenol), because it can lead to liver damage, but take note: you're also not supposed to drink while taking ibuprofen.

Ibuprofen is part of the anti-inflammatory drug family known as NSAIDs, which can cause tears in the stomach lining if taken on an empty tummy. Add alcohol to the mix, and the potential danger is heightened. If you take ibuprofen when drinking more than the recommended amount for women (about two to three drinks), you increase your risk of stomach irritation and bleeding. This is especially true for people who are prone to ulcers.

But wait! Taking Tylenol when you're hungover isn't such a good idea either. To find out why,

read more. Acetaminophen can lead to liver damage if you take it in large doses (that's 4,000 milligrams, or eight extra-strength Tylenol) for more than a couple of days. Heavy drinkers who take acetaminophen and don't eat enough can overtax their livers. However, the risks associated with taking Tylenol after recreational drinking are somewhat blurry. According to The Straight Dope:

I'll spare you the biochemistry, but basically acetaminophen and alcohol in combination overwhelm the liver's ability to remove toxins from your bloodstream. . . . It's not clear from the medical literature what happens if you take acetaminophen after a one-time bender (as opposed to chronic alcohol abuse). But don't substitute some other painkiller - aspirin and ibuprofen can have side effects too. Better to be suffering than dead.

So what's a hungover, headache-plagued gal to do - besides not drinking so much in the first place? Since the jury is still out on the exact effects of combining Advil or Tylenol with booze, probably best just to tough it out. Maybe even try a natural remedy like yoga. Got one that works for you? Share it in the comments. Source

Liver Damage and OTC Pain Medication

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:30:00 PDT

Did you start your new Spring exercise regimen with a little too much gusto? Running for 60 minutes seemed like a great idea at the time right? Now every muscle in your legs is screaming with pain so you're going to take some pain medication, but you want to avoid the one that can cause liver damage. Do you remember which one it is?

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.

Ibuprofen Beats Acetaminophen for Menstrual Pain

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 16:15:00 PST

Although both ibuprofen and acetaminophen reduce menstrual pain, ibuprofen appears to be more potent for pain relief.

Although ibuprofen is accepted as an effective treatment for painful periods, or dysmenorrhea, there is still controversy about the usefulness of acetaminophen.

To investigate further, a small trial was conducted involving 12 women with dysmenorrhea. They were given three different treatments in random order for three different periods: 1000 milligrams of acetaminophen, 400 milligrams of ibuprofen, or an inactive placebo, four times daily for three days.

The women rated the active medications as being more effective than the placebo. However, it appears that ibuprofen has a greater effect, and patients also preferred it.

Well there you have it. When a heating pad doesn't cut it for cramps, I'm reaching for some good old ibuprofen.

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.

A Reader Asks: How Do You Tame the PMS Monster?

Fit Community — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 03:27:06 PDT

FitSugar reader WarmnessOnTheSoul needs your help: her PMS is making it even harder to stay on her new diet and exercise plan. She posted her question in our Weight Loss Support group.

OK ladies, I need some support/advice. I've been on a diet program for about a week, eating healthy, exercising every day, feeling great - until Mother Nature decided to attack! I've been completely sluggish, extremely achy all over (car-accident-day-after achy), waking up with a good amount of energy just to barely keep my eyes open three hours later - and I'm hungry!

I can't take Midol and I go through ibuprofen like candy. I know I am on the extreme end of PMS symptoms (I've been told this by a doctor) but for insurance reasons (lack thereof) I just deal with it. I'm writing to ask if any of you have experienced the same thing, and if so, how do you reduce cravings/pain, and find the energy to keep exercising? Thanks!

PMS can certainly be a bummer, especially when you're working so hard to be healthy. Read on for our advice (and share your own!) after the break.