Effective Counter Pain Relievers that You Can Really Rely On

November 12, 2012

Effective Counter Pain Relievers that You Can Really Rely On

Every now and then, athletes will need to use counter pain relievers to help them deal with minor aches, injuries and pains. Unfortunately, although these drugs are considered to be extremely common medications that are both effective and reliable, not a lot of people actually understand them or the fact that they also come with side effects and risks.

The Different Kinds of Pain Relievers

  • Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

This group of drugs includes ibuprofen, aspirin, sodium, ketoprofen and naproxen and can prevent the production of prostaglandins in the body. Prostaglandins refer to substances that the body naturally produces and uses as mediators for various physiological functions, like stomach lining protection and blood pressure regulation.

They also help mediate inflammation and pain.

Unfortunately, NSAIDs block all sorts of prostaglandins. So, although they can block whatever might be causing a person pain, they might block that person’s stomach lining protection, as well. This could therefore result in gastrointestinal bleeding or stomach pain.

  • Acetaminophen

This group includes panadol and tylenol and is said to act on the brain’s pain centers. They are also known to be the safest counter pain relievers in the market since they don’t block any prostaglandins and thus do not cause gastrointestinal bleeding, either. Aside from that, it can also be used to treat high blood pressure and to reduce fever and pain.

Sometimes, products might combine different counter pain relievers with ingredients like decongestants and caffeine, as well, and market them for different symptom combinations, like flu and cold relief. These extra ingredients might address other symptoms, such as cough or nasal congestion, too.

Generally speaking, naproxen, ketoprophen and ibuprofen can all alleviate pain much more compared to aspirin or acetaminophen, but the latter two happen to have more benefits to them.

For starters, acetaminophen is usually recommended as an arthritis pain reliever when it comes to children. Second of all, aspirin is currently the only kind of pain reliever in the market that is known to alleviate the overall risk of stroke and heart attack.

Which Pain Relievers Should You Choose?

Naturally, it would always be best to ask your doctor which counter pain relievers you should take, especially if you are currently taking other supplements or medications for medical problems, like arthritis, hypertension, ulcer, acne, or diabetes. This way, you will know which side effects or interactions to expect in the end.

Once you decide to take counter pain relievers in the end, you will also need to make sure that you always follow the given directions to a tee. In general, naproxen sodium, ketoprophen and ibuprofen are all helpful for sports injuries, inflammation, pain and swelling.

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