Pain relief

As we get older, we become more prone to chronic pains, whether it be headaches, arthritis, menstrual cramps, gastrointestinal cramps, charlie horses, back aches, or back pains.  There are many different types of pain, and some people learn to accept the pain while others need to seek out pain relievers.  Thankfully, modern medicine has you covered with an array of medications that match an array of pains.  Let's take a look at some common pains, and some over the counter medications that are suited for that pain.

Ibuprofen: (Advil/Motrin)

Best for: Everyday aches; Headaches, menstrual cramps, back joint and muscle pains

Cautions: Ibuprofen can cause gastric distress, like upset stomachs, or acid reflux.  Don't use it as much if you have stomach conditions.  It can also cause Kidney issues if you're taking the maximum dosage each day.  To prevent the stomach issues, eat a snack before you take your Ibuprofen, it'll create a barrier that can protect your stomach lining.

Acetaminophen: (Tylenol)

Best for: Fevers, and aches caused by a cold or flu

Cautions: Acetaminophen is relatively safe so long as you stay within the proper dosages and is one of the few pain relievers safe enough for pregnant women to take.  However, acetaminophen is very dangerous when taking too much, and is one of the most common causes of accidental overdose.  Too much acetaminophen (5 - 7.5 grams) can lead to liver failure, and its a common ingredient in a lot of medications, so its easy to accidentally double dose.  Go to the ER if you experience, nausea, vomiting, and abnormal pain, after taking acetaminophen products.

Aspirin:

People tend to thing Aspirin is a pain reliever, while it may work to an extent, it should always be your last choice due to how ineffective it is at pain relief.  Aspirin relieves pains by improving blood flow by restricting your blood's ability to clot.  Its superb for preventing heart attacks, but too much aspirin can cause stomach and intestinal ulcers which could lead to intestinal bleeding since aspirin prevents clotting.