Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is known as a non-aspirin pain reliever. It is NOT an NSAID, which is described below. Acetaminophen relieves fever and headaches, and other common aches and pains. It does not relieve inflammation.
Chronic pain can stop you in your tracks. It impacts your physical and emotional well-being, how you deal with your co-workers, your kids, and your spouse. Harvard Medical School reports one of the most frequent reasons people see doctors is to seek pain relief. If you’re dealing with pain, what are some of the best ways to manage it? Let’s talk basics.
1- Don’t self-diagnose:
Find out what’s causing your pain, treatments doctors recommend are tailored to your specific ailment. So don’t shrug and think, “Oh, this must be a pulled muscle” when it could be a damaged nerve. Or something much more serious, like appendicitis or heart attack. Laura Ferris, MD, PhD, from the University of Pittsburgh warns, “See a doctor if the pain is sudden and new. That needs to be investigated.”
2- Seek Help Early:
If your pain feels like it’s progressing or is getting worse over time get medical attention. The pain is not even less after taking painkillers. “Don’t let your pain escalate to 7 (out of 10 on the pain scale) before seeking treatment,” adds anesthesiologist Edna Ma, MD. “Treat the pain early! This makes the pain more easily manageable.”
3- If you take over-the-counter pain relievers:
Look closely at all the ingredients and make sure you’re not exceeding the proper dosage; that can have serious consequences. Tracei D. Ball, MD knows what can happen. “I have often seen patients make the mistake of taking too much acetaminophen ( tylenol ) when trying to control acute and chronic pain. They may be using more than one medication of that contains acetaminophen. And as a result, exceed the 4,000 mg per day maximum dosing limit. Some patients based on age, weight, and medical conditions such as kidney or liver failure may have even lower dosing limits. Moreover, making this mistake, by not paying attention to medication labels and discussing medication regimens with your physician could lead to unintentional overdose and death.”
Tylenol, makers of the top-selling acetaminophen in the United States, is leading a campaign to remind you of important health tips when it comes to taking the popular painkiller with other medications.
5- Mixing painkillers:
If you decided that trying a pal’s Percocet or other narcotic drugs could be helpful, think again. Additionally, first, giving someone a controlled substance not prescribed for them is actually against the law. Endocrinologist Joseph Pinzone, MD from UCLA also warns, “It is vitally important to make sure your medications do not interact with one another; this is especially important when you are having medications prescribed by more than one physician.” Dr. Pinzone says tell both your doctor and pharmacist all the medications you’re on so they can check to make sure they don’t interfere with one another.
6- Consult a pain management specialist:
Huge advancements have been made in helping people manage their pain over the past several years; doctors even specialize in this. However, if your pain doesn’t go away or has become debilitating, be sure to consult a specialist who can help you try other alternatives.
7- Seek emotional support:
Managing pain can be stressful. You may want to also talk to a mental health professional about coping skills and how to limit the stress the pain is causing you. Relieving stress may ease your pain. You may also try exercise or physical therapy in some cases, depending on your situation. As always, consult your physician.
