There are various medicines that can be used to treat pain. They can be painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants. Each type of pain may have different causes, so that the medication for pain relief can be quicker and more effective, it is important to know which remedy is most appropriate for each type of pain.
Over-the-counter remedies may be used under the guidance of a pharmacist, but a physician should always be consulted to treat the cause of the pain.
It is important to take into account that the overuse of medication may increase the risk of developing hepatitis or cirrhosis, for example, as well as masking other symptoms, making it more difficult to make the diagnosis. In any case, here are some examples of medications for the most common types of pain:
1. Remedies for sore throat
A sore throat is usually caused by an inflammation and therefore the most indicated remedies to relieve this type of pain are anti-inflammatory pills, such as:
- Ibuprofen;
- Diclofenac;
- Nimesulide.
These medications should be used as directed by your doctor or according to the dosage on the leaflet and if there is no improvement in the pain after 2 days or if other symptoms such as fever and chills appear, it is recommended you see a general practitioner or an otolaryngologist because the pain may be caused by a tonsillitis or pharyngitis, for example, that needs to be treated with antibiotics.
See how you can complement the treatment with some remedies in: Gargles for sore throat.
2. Remedies for a toothache
A toothache may arise suddenly and is usually caused by the presence of a tooth with caries or gum inflammation and therefore, depending on the case, analgesic or anti-inflammatory pills may be used.
Toothache with inflammation
- Ibuprofen;
- Naproxen.
Toothache without inflammation
- Paracetamol;
- Dipyrone.
Although toothache can be alleviated with the use of these medications it is always recommended you see a dentist to identify the cause of the pain, as it may be necessary to repair the tooth that is hurting or take antibiotics to treat abscesses or cavities, for example.
3. Remedies for ear ache
Ear pain should always be evaluated by an otolaryngologist because, in most cases, it is caused by an infection within the ear canal that should be treated with the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs to decrease inflammation.
The remedies can be found in the form of drops for application inside the ear. See how to apply them in: medication for ear pain.
4. Remedies for stomach pain
Stomach pain may be caused by an irritation of the gastric mucus or excess food inside the stomach, and different types of medication may be used, depending on the symptoms presented:
Pain, heartburn or burning in the stomach
- Aluminum hydroxide;
- Cimetidine;
- Ranitidine.
Nausea or full stomach feeling
- Metoclopramide;
- Domperidone.
In addition, in either case a gastric protector, such as Omeprazole or Lansoprazole, may be taken 15 minutes before breakfast to prevent the gastric mucus from becoming irritated during the day, avoiding the onset of pain. Read how to relieve pain in other ways in: stomach pain.
When pain takes more than 1 week to disappear, a gastroenterologist should be consulted to do diagnostic tests, such as endoscopy, to identify the problem and initiate appropriate treatment.
5. Remedies for back pain
Back pain is usually caused by muscle problems, due to poor posture or excessive physical exercise in the gym, so the most commonly used remedies are:
- Muscle relaxants;
- Paracetamol.
However, if it takes more than 1 week for the pain to disappear, it is recommended to consult an orthopedist, as this may be caused by a problem in the spine that must be identified and treated appropriately.
Know other causes of back pain and how to treat in: Causes for back pain and how to relieve the symptoms.
6. Remedies for headache
Headaches are one of the most frequent symptoms because they can have several causes such as fever, excessive stress or fatigue, for example. Some of the medications most used to relieve headaches are:
- Paracetamol;
- AAS.
Although the headache may improve after using this medication, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner when it takes more than 3 days to pass or symptoms such as excessive fatigue, pain in other parts of the body, increased fever or confusion arise, for example.
See other ways you can relieve headaches naturally: 5 ways to relieve headaches without medication.
7. Remedies for menstrual cramps
Menstrual cramps are caused by excessive contraction of the female reproductive organs or by their inflammation, and thus the most commonly used remedies are:
- Antispasmodics;
- Anti-inflammatory.
However, menstrual cramps can also be alleviated with home-made techniques like putting a warm patch on the pelvic region or drinking tea from dried mango leaves, for example.
8. Remedies for muscular pain
Muscle pain is usually caused by an inflammation of the muscle fibers that happen when the muscle is contracted for a long time, such as in gym training or during stressful situations. In this way, the most commonly used remedies to relieve muscle pain include:
- Muscle relaxants;
- Anti-inflammatory drugs: Ibuprofen, Nimesulide or Naproxen;
- Painkillers: Paracetamol or Dipyrone.
In addition, muscle pain can also be treated more quickly when besides medication, stretching exercises are used for the affected muscles and placing warm patches.
In cases where muscle pain takes more than 1 week to pass or the pain does not improve it is advised to consult an orthopedist to do diagnostic tests and to identify if there is a more serious problem that is causing the pain, such as distension, tendinitis or arthritis, for example.
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