answers pain brochure - walgreens.com · help relieve and manage stress.4 answers . at wa41~ qa •...
TRANSCRIPT
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Answers
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Answers begin here for managing pain.
Pain often gets better on its own. But
sometimes it doesn't go away, or it
gets worse. If this is the case, let your
healthcare provider know as soon as
possible in order to rule out serious
injury or other health problems.1
Read on for answers about how to
manage your pain better.
Answers at Wal!~
Contents
tension headaches ................... Page 4
migraine headaches ................ Page 7
arthritis ..................................... Page 10
muscle pain and cramps .......... Page 15
fever.......................................... Page 18
backache .................................. Page 20
pain and health concerns ......... Page 22
menstrual cramps .................... Page 25
pain definitions ......................... Page 26
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What is a tension headache?
The pain from a tension headache may feel like a dull pressure or a tight band around your head. You might also feel tension in your temples, neck and shoulders. Tension headaches can be caused by:
• Tlghtening of the neck muscles due to
stress, depression, anxiety or anger
• A head injury
• Poor posture
• Sleeping in a cold room, or an
awkward neck position during sleep2
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What pain relievers can help treat a tension headache?
Over the counter pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve tension headaches. For more severe or chronic tension headaches, you may need prescription pain relievers or muscle relaxants.2
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be l ntormed
Other causes of tension
headaches include:
• Certain foods, alcohol and caffeine
• Colds, flu or sinus lnfection
• Smoking
• Changes in sleep schedule
• Eyestrain
• Noise
• Perfume and chemical odors
• Extreme fatigue or hormone changes
• Skipplng meals3
4 5
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What are some nonmedical options to prevent tension headaches?
• Practice good posture and take frequent breaks to exercise your neck and shoulders when typing or working on computers or similar repetitive tasks.
• Visit a physical therapist who can provide special stretching and strengthening exercises or a chiropractor who can help correct bad posture issues.
• Try biofeedback or other relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga and deep breathing/visualization to help relieve and manage stress.4
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QA • ~
What is a migraine headache?
Migraines are another common form of headache that can cause intense throbbing or pounding, pain, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. A migraine can last for a few hours or even a few days. A pulsing pain can be in the forehead, side of the head or near the eyes.
What are migraine triggers?
Avoid migraine triggers like aged
cheeses, wine, peanut butter and
luncheon meats. Migraines can
also be triggered by strong odors,
bright lights, loud noises, weather
changes and fatigue, among
other things. Not everyone has
the same migraine triggers.5•6
6 7
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How can I prevent
migraine headaches?
• Get on a regular schedule for
eating, sleeping and exercise
• Stay well hydrated
• Manage stress at home and
in the workplace
• Quit smoking7
How do I treat a migraine
headache?
Over the counter pain relievers
like aspirin, aspirin-and-caffeine
combination, acetaminophen,
ibuprofen and naproxen can help
to relieve migraine pain. If you have
frequent, very severe migraines.
consult your healthcare provider
about prescription medications.8
•
be l nformed
Nonmedical options:
Lie down in a dark, quiet room with
a cool compress on your forehead.
• Massage your neck muscles. scalp
and temples to alleviate tension
and tightness.9
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What is a dehydration headache?
If you don't drink enough water, you
can develop a headache. You may have
pain over your entire head, or it may
be focused ln one specific location.
The paln may become more severe
if you bend down, move your head
or just walk around. A dehydration
headache should improve if you drink 16-32 oz. when you first feel symptoms. If left untreated, 1t can cause severe
pain and vomiting and may even
require treatment with IV fluids.10
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What is arthritis?
What steps can help my arthritis?
• Weight loss helps to reduce stress on the knees, hips and lower back and leads to healthier joints.
• Exercise can improve muscle strength and range of motion, and can reduce stiffness. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider if you have any exercise restrictions.
• Braces. canes or other devices can
help in daily activities.
• Heat or cold therapy can provide
short-term relief.
• Massage, acupuncture and visits to a chiropractor or physical therapist may provide temporary relief of osteoarthritis symptoms.12
Arthritis refers to a group of more than 100 diseases and conditions that inflame joints and the tissues around them.11 Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 27 million people in the U.S. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint pain, stiffness and swelling. a cracking or gnnding noise as 101nts are moved and problems with the
function of the joints.12
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What are some hot and cold therapy options for arthritis pain?
Both heat and cold therapies can help reduce the pain and inflammation of arthritis. You and your healthcare provider can decide which one might work best for you.13
Heat therapy increases blood flow.
tolerance for pain and flexibility.
Some techniques you can try:
• Apply moist heat, such as placing
warm towels or hot packs on the
inflamed joint.
• Take a warm bath or shower.
• Use a heating patch or belt.14
• Relax in a heated swimming pool
or hot tub.14 However, you need to limit your time in the hot water if you have a heart condition or take blood pressure medication. Hot water can overheat you, cause dehydration and increase your blood pressure.15
Cold therapy numbs the nerves
around the joint. This reduces pain and may relieve inflammation and muscle spasms.
Some examples of cold therapy are:
• Cold packs
• Ice massage
• Soaking in cold water
• Over the counter (OTC) sprays and ointments that cool the skin and joints.18
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What are some other
arthritis pain options?
Topical pain rel evers
These may cause your skin to feel hot or cold, which can briefly help stop the feeling of pain. Some products contain:
• Capsaicin, a hot pepper extract that will cause your skin to feel very warm.
• SaJicylates, the active ingredient
found 1n aspirin.
• Menthol, which makes the skin
feel cooler.17
Oral pain relievers
• Acetaminophen is often a first choice for treatment of osteoarthritis because if does not irritate the stomach.
• Ibuprofen and naproxen are also effective but can cause stomach upset, so they are best taken with food. Use only as directed on the product label.18
Speak to your healthcare provider
or Walgreens pharmacist about
what options are best for you.
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What can I do to help
relieve muscle pain?
• Pain-relieving creams and sprays
can offer temporary rel ief for muscle soreness by helping to numb the
skin surface. Heat can also help,
but don't use these creams and
sprays with a heating pad as they can
cause burns.20
• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help soothe the pain.21
• If your pain continues, stretching,
massage or acupuncture may 23be helpful.22·
If you have swelling and significant
pain, talk to your healthcare provider. 24
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How can I reduce or prevent muscle cramps?
• Stretch before and after you exercise.
A warm-up and cool-down can help
prevent muscle cramping. If your
cramps happen at night, help prevent
them by stretching during the day.
• Drink plenty of fluids, and if you
are sweating a lot due to heavy
exercise, drink both water and an
electrolyte drink to replenish your fluids and salt.25
• Eat foods that contain calcium,
vitamin D, vitamin E and magnesium may also help.26
• Drink beverages with quinine, like
tonic water. This may help prevent
muscle cramps. However, you
should first check with your
healthcare provider.27
• Ask your healthcare provider or
Walgreens pharmacist if your med1cation(s) may be a cause of your muscle cramps.2a
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What can I do for a fever?
If your fever is 102°F or lower, get plenty of rest and stay hydrated by drinking a lot of fluids. In addition, the following may help to relieve discomfort:
• Take ibuprofen, acetaminophen or another type of over the counter (OTC), fever-reducing product if you feel uncomfortable.
• A lukewarm sponge bath may help lower your fever. Wear light clothing and cover yourself with a light sheet or cover. If you become chilled, cover up with an extra blanket, but remove it once the chills subside. Bundling under layers of dothing and blankets traps heat, making a fever last longer than usual. 29
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If your fever is 103"F or greater, or if any of the following applies to you, contact your healthcare provider:
• Your fever does not improve or
lasts longer than three days.
• You have a severe headache,
stiff neck, confusion, excess
sleepiness. sore throat, pain with
urination, abdominal pain, repeated
vomiting, chest pain, shortness of
breath or other unusual symptoms.29
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Other tips include·
• Reach and stay at a healthy weight.
This limits the strain on your back.
• Watch your posture. Lift heavy
objects carefully. To lift an item, hold
it close to your body, lift with your
knees and keep your abdominal
muscles tight.
• Stay active. Experts suggest
everyone do a total of at least
150 minutes of moderate aerobic
activity every week. Check with your
healthcare provider before starting
an exercise program-particularly if
you have other health conditions.
• Limit bending, twisting or reaching.
If you carry a lot of materials around at work. put them in a rolling suitcase or cart.JJ
How can I treat backaches?
The best way to fight back pain is to
target the inside of your body as well
as the outside. Take pain relievers to
help reduce the pain and use topical
warming creams, heating pads, regular
massage and other external treatments
to reduce your discomfort. Talk to your
doctor before using topicals and orals
to prevent an overdose.30-32
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What types of serious pain require immediate medical treatment?
These three types of pain could mean a serious health problem and require immediate emergency medical treatment:
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• Chest pain Sometimes chest pain that doesn't go away can be a symptom of a heart attack.34
• Severe or persistent headache Headache with a loss of feeling or weakness in any part of the body, or headache along with problems with speech, vision, movement or keeping your balance could be a sign of stroke.35
• Worsening abdom nal pain This could be a sign of an inflamed appendix, known as appendicitis.36
I know I can take aspirin for pain. Can aspirin also protect my heart?
People who are at high risk for a heart attack or have already had a heart attack may find it helpful to take a daily, low dose of aspirin. This can help prevent blood clots. Ask your healthcare provider if it is right for you.37
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What is TENS therapy?
One method used to treat pain 1s
called transcutaneous electrical nerve
stimulation, or TENS therapy. The TENS
unit consists of one or more electrical
signal generators, a battery and a set
of electrodes. They are small and can
be programmed. These units are often
placed over the skin near the source of
pain. Training is required to use the device
properly. There are several settings that
vary the type and strength of electrical
pulse the patient receives. TENS can
cause skin irritation and redness and
some people may be allergic to the tape
or gel used with the device. TENS units
are available at Walgreens without a
presciptlon. However, you should first
check with your healthcare provider to
find out whether your pain condition
can benefit from TENS therapy. 38
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How can I treat menstrual cramps?
Start by lying
down. You can
also place a
heating pad or
hot water bottle on
QA
your lower abdomen. Those will
help relax the cramping uterine muscles.
Empty your bladder whenever you feel
the need to urinate. Regular exercise
can help tone your muscles and reduce
cramping if it develops. Ibuprofen
and other OTC pain medications may
also provide relief.38 Prescription pain
relievers can be helpful for severe menstrual cramps.4o
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• Arthritis
Common areas of the body affected:
knee, wrist, hand, shoulder, hips.
Wear and tear on a joint that can lead
to pain, swelling, stiffness, redness
or warmth.
• Back pain
Back pain can result from
accidents/iniunes, muscle strains,
being overweight or normal aging.
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Pain can be constant and may get
worse with movement or heavy lifting.
Other common symptoms include
aching or stiffness, often in the lower
back, but they can occur anywhere.
These symptoms may get worse
when you're tired or when you've
been standing for a long time.
• Bruise Also known as a "contusion."
Symptoms include pain, swelling,
and black, blue, purple, or yellow
coloring of the skin.
• Bursitis
Common areas of the body affected:
shoulder, elbow, knee, hip.
A bursa 1s a tiny, fluid-filled sac that
cushions and reduces friction around
joints. In bursitis, the bursa become
swollen and tender. The pain usually
gets worse with movement.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
This is a condition where irritation of
a nerve in your wrist causes painful
throbbing, tingling and numbness
in your hand and wrist. It can be
caused by long periods of bending
and twisting your hands and wrists,
or using them over and over again for
the same task, like typing.
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• Ligament sprain
Common areas of the body that are
affected: ankle, knee, shoulder.
A ligament is a thick tissue that
connects one bone to another
bone. A sprain is when the ligament
is stretched or torn. This causes
pain and swelling that is usually
worse when you try to move the
injured area.
• Tendonitis
Common areas of the body affected:
knee, shoulder, elbow, hips, hands.
A tendon is a thick tissue that
connects muscle to bone. Stretching,
tearing, or overuse of a tendon leads
to pain and swelling that gets worse
with movement. Some other names
for tendonitis include: Little League
elbow, golfer's elbow, tennis elbow
and runner's knee.
• Thumb hyperextension
If the thumb gets stretched hard
away from the rest of the fingers, a
ligament called the ulnar collateral
ligament (UCL) can be damaged.
This causes pain and swelling at the
base of the thumb that gets worse
with some types of movement. Injury
to this ligament is also called skier's
thumb or gamekeeper's thumb.1
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Questions about which pain management products are right for you?
Walgreens pharmacists can help you determine the best pain management products for your individual needs. Consult with one of our knowledgeable pharmacists in store or to chat with a live pharmacist
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