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There are no indifferent medications. Only the dose is said to distinguish a medicine from a poison. Painkillers can be a godsend, but they can also be life-threatening.

Pain medicationsare readily available. We often reach for them without thinking. No wonder then complications arise fromoverdosing . This does not mean, however, that we should avoid them like the devil of holy water. Let us relieve the pain, but with common sense.

There are no "intelligent" preparations that act selectively, for example on a sore tooth or a leg. The exceptions are dental gels and ointments, although they also affect the entire body by penetrating the skin or mucosa into the blood.

Pain medications work on different levels

  • Central (general)

They affect the central nervous system, inhibiting the process of analyzing pain signals from the damaged area of ​​the body to the brain. These include the so-called opioids (e.g. morphine, fentanyl, codeine, tramadol)

  • Oblast (local)

These drugs affect the sensory nerves and pain fibers themselves. They prevent sensitization of pain receptors because they inhibit the local synthesis of prostaglandins (hormones that regulate physiological processes). Increased synthesis of prostaglandins accompanies any inflammatory condition (e.g. a cold) and causes our natural thermoregulator to switch over, which increases body temperature. To prevent the fever from rising, drugs that inhibit prostaglandin synthesis are administered, which also have an analgesic effect.

Women take painkillers more often

Painkillers are most often taken when we have a headache (65% of Poles). Then because of the pain associated with a cold, pain in the spine, muscles and joints. As much as 38 percent men use them when a toothache, and 15 percent. women during severe period pains. Some people take them several times a month. This is despite the fact that 23 percent. people are suggested by advertising, and only 17 percent. asks a doctor for advice (data from the OBOP survey). Women use painkillers twice as often as men. This applies to both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs. People over 50 take drugs prescribed by a doctor, perhaps for fear of combining drugstaken because of chronic diseases. In world statistics, we are in third place after the Americans and the French. One in four of us always has something for pain with us. Usually it is Aspirin, Polopyrin, Paracetamol or Apap.

Important

What are combination drugs?

Combined drugs are a combination of one or two ingredients with a small dose of codeine or caffeine (Panadol Extra, Cefalgin, Saridon). When taking them, be aware that they can raise your blood pressure, make small blood vessels constrict, and lead to constipation or drowsiness.

What are opioids?

Opioids are weak narcotic drugs (not to be confused with opiates, i.e. substances obtained from poppy straw). They work very quickly and with great force. Some can be purchased over the counter. They are used in the case of severe ailments, extensive injuries or neoplastic diseases. They can be administered in any form (tablets, injections, patches). They cause constipation and nausea, but also improve general well-being.

Painkillers - ways of taking

Pain medications are produced in various forms. This, among other things, determines the time after which they start to act, i.e. endure the pain.

  • Injections: they work the fastest because whether they are given intramuscularly or intravenously, they connect to the blood in no time. Depending on the type of drug, they can reduce psychomotor reactions for several or several hours.
  • Rectal suppositories: they are given when we want to relieve the digestive tract, especially the stomach. The active substance penetrates the rectal mucosa, combines with the blood and is distributed throughout the body.
  • Effervescent tablets: they work shortly after taking, because the healing substance in the liquid quickly enters the blood and with it reaches the nervous system.
  • Oral tablets: they usually provide relief after 20-40 minutes, as they need time to pass from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood and reach the nervous system.
  • Syrups: given to children or people who have difficulty swallowing due to a throat disease or severe gag reflex. The time at which they start working is similar to the action of tablets.
  • Patches: are used for severe or chronic pain, e.g. in cancer, muscle, migraine and rheumatic diseases. The principle of their operation is simple and brilliant at the same time. The active substance is gradually absorbed through the skin into the capillaries, from where it enters the bloodstream in the lowest dose necessary to bear pain. Skin cells protect the body against too much active substance getting in at one time.The painkiller plaster works for 3 days, does not burden the digestive tract and does not cause constipation.
  • Ointments and gels: are absorbed through the skin. They work just like patches. They contain smaller doses of the drug. They are used after injuries to eliminate painful swellings.

Painkillers - how to take them correctly

Whoever wants to safely relieve pain should follow the rules of taking painkillers:

  • Painkillers should be taken in the first phase of pain, because then they are most effective. The type of medication should be chosen according to the type of pain. In case of chronic pains, use long-acting drugs so as not to burden the digestive tract.
  • The daily dose recommended by the manufacturer must not be exceeded. Let's read the leaflets carefully, because many agents contain the same active ingredient. Most drugs achieve what is known as a ceiling effect, which means that even after taking a higher dose, their effectiveness does not increase. It is then necessary to administer a drug from a different, stronger group.
  • If the pain continues, take your medications to maintain a constant level of painkiller in your body. This means that when the leaflet states that the drug should be used every 4 hours, this rule should be followed.
  • If an over-the-counter medication does not provide relief after 48 hours, an appointment with a doctor is required. We take a new agent recommended by a doctor for 2-3 days. If the pain continues, your doctor will make it stronger.
  • If the tablet contains an analgesic and anti-inflammatory substance (e.g. ketonal, majamil), the treatment must not be stopped when the pain subsides. The preparation takes time to fight inflammation.
  • Most over-the-counter painkillers should be taken after eating. They have a strong effect on the mucosa and can cause serious gastrointestinal discomfort. Anyone with a sick stomach should take medicines in the form of casings.
  • Painkillers hate the company of wholemeal bread, groats and bran, i.e. products containing fiber. If we eat too much of it, the body will not absorb the pain-relieving substances.
  • If we take painkillers, we give up alcohol. Such a combination may have a detrimental effect on our liver, accelerate the process of fatty liver.
  • Painkillers are best taken with lukewarm water. We do not use fruit juices containing strong acids (e.g. orange). The citric acid in the juices absorbs the active ingredient and the treatment is ineffective. We do not wash down drugs with milk either, because by 50 percent. reduces their effect.

Pain medications for various types of pain

MeansIt is best to take painkillers, adjusting their type to a specific ailment.

  • Before your period

Two or three days before bleeding, many women suffer from a headache known as a menstrual migraine. It is caused by a natural decrease in estrogen levels. Similar symptoms will be experienced by women taking birth control pills and women in the menopausal period. You can take: Pyralginum, Vegentalgin H, Nurofen, Menstrual, Saridon.

  • Migraine attack

In classic migraine, pain is accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light and sound. The attack is preceded by prodromal symptoms, i.e. yawning, nervousness, appetite for sweets. There is also the so-called aura (visual disturbances, tingling hands). When it's gone, pain comes. To keep it from developing, take a medicine such as Solpadeine, Nurofen Forte, Panadol, Aleve or Aspirin.

  • After alcohol

Pain after alcohol abuse is the effect of acetaldehyde accumulated in the body - a compound formed after the biochemical treatment of alcohol by the liver. When fighting a hangover, we do not take paracetamol in any form (it increases the harmful effects of alcohol). Help: Alka-Seltzer, Alka-Prim.

  • From exhaustion

It's a tension pain. It can be caused by stress, heavy physical work or a head injury. Medicines provide relief, but it is more important to control your emotions or to treat the pain that is causing your pain. Take: Apap, Paracetamol, Aspirin Activ, Ibuprom.

  • From the spine

A headache may be caused by a degeneration of the cervical or thoracic spine. We refer to such pains as root, because the degenerated vertebrae press against the nerve roots. Appropriate rehabilitation or therapeutic massage will help, but you can save yourself by taking Naproxen or Ibuprom.

  • Cold pains

They are the result of inflammation developing in the body. In order to stop it, it is worth taking an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic drug, such as Aspirin, Polopyrine, Panadol.

  • Toothache

In this case, a visit to the dentist will be the most effective. Before we get to it, however, we can take e.g. Ibuprom, Advil, Nurofen.

  • Stomachache

They can be triggered by a wide variety of situations - poisoning, nervous spasms, hyperacidity. The usual measures won't help. It is better to take medications that inhibit acid secretion (Ranigast), neutralize hydrochloric acid (Alugastrin, Manti) or have a diastolic effect (No-Spa).

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