medication and treatment

Can magnets heal you?

October 19th, 2020 by The Hello Doctor Team

Magnetic therapy is a popular alternative medicine. What exactly is it and what can it do for you?

Magnetic field therapy involves using magnets to treat specific conditions or boost your overall health. Your body has several magnetic and electric fields, that’s because all of the molecules within your body have a small amount of magnetic energy in them.

The thought behind magnetic field therapy is that health problems occur because your magnetic fields are out of balance. If you put a magnetic field near your body, it’s believed things will go back to normal. There are several types including:

Static magnetic field therapy: In this, you touch a magnet to your skin, for example, you might wear a magnetic bracelet or other magnetised jewellery.

Electrically charged magnetic therapy (electromagnetic therapy): These magnets have an electric charge. Treatment with electromagnetic therapy usually comes through an electric pulse.

Magnetic therapy with acupuncture: Magnets are placed on the same sections of your skin that an acupuncturist would focus on in an acupuncture session.

What is it used for?

Some people use magnet therapy for treating pain, like foot, back, or joint pain, which includes:

Arthritis pain
Wound healing
Insomnia
Headaches
Fibromyalgia pain

While it’s generally safe for most people to wear low-intensity static magnets, it’s not a good idea to have magnetic field therapy if you’re pregnant, have a pacemaker or take chronic medications, such as insulin. You should also take off any magnets before having an X-ray or a magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI).

Some people who have magnetic field therapy have experienced side effects like nausea, dizziness and pain.

Does it work?

There haven’t been many studies on magnetic field therapy. The ones that have been done don’t have enough data to draw solid conclusions. Although some clinical trials have shown potential for magnetic field therapy as a treatment for back pain, for the most part, there’s no clear proof that it can successfully treat any condition.

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How does cold medication work?

March 19th, 2020 by Content Editor

A cold is a viral infection that affects the nose, ears and throat. It has symptoms that generally resolve within ten days.

Cold medications don’t “cure” or shorten your cold, but they can ease some symptoms. In most cases, getting plenty of rest and keeping fluids up can do the trick on their own.

Let’s look at commonly used cold remedies. There are a number of over-the-counter medicines that might help relieve symptoms, they include:

Decongestants and saline nasal sprays

Nasal decongestants and saline (salt water) nasal sprays can help relieve a blocked nose. When it comes to decongestants, you can use drops or sprays for up to five days. Prolonged use can cause rebound symptoms. Before using a decongestant, check with your doctor or pharmacist if it’s safe for you.

Expectorants: Help loosen mucus so you can cough it up.

Pain relievers: Ease fever, headaches, and minor aches and pains.

Combination ‘cough and cold’ medicines: These are a combination of the above. Cough and cold medicines often contain paracetamol. Be sure to check the label to avoid overdosing and taking other medicines that may contain paracetamol too.

Complementary medicines: Some may find vitamins (like vitamin C), mineral supplements (like zinc) or herbal medicines (like echinacea) helpful. However, there isn’t enough evidence to show they’re effective in helping to treat or prevent colds.

Antiviral medications

If you’re likely to suffer complications, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medication. These medicines won’t cure your cold, but if they are taken within 48 hours of symptoms they can help:

Reduce the length of time you are ill by around 1 day
Relieve some of the symptoms
Reduce the potential for serious complications
Stop the virus from multiplying in your body.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics won’t help the symptoms of a cold or stop them from spreading to other people. This is because they are viral infections. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections.

Read and follow the directions on medication labels carefully. If you’re not sure about something check with your doctor or pharmacist.

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5 Exciting future developments in health

January 27th, 2020 by Content Editor

2020 is finally here and although there aren’t any cars flying around or cyborgs serving you at the shops, the future of medicine looks promising.

From digital tattoos to drug 3D printing, here are 5 exciting future health developments that you’ll surely be hyped up about.

3D printing drugs

If a trip to the pharmacy sounds like a hassle, why not print out your prescription medication instead? Today, guns, chocolate and even houses can be 3D printed, and drugs aren’t far behind. For example, the FDA approved an epilepsy drug called Spritam that is made by 3D printers. It prints out the powdered drug layer by layer which makes it easier to dissolve than regular pills. What’s more, scientists from the University College of London also experimented with 3D printing drugs in different shapes like dinosaurs or octopuses so that kids will be keener to take their medication.

Personalised medicine

Medication is usually a one-size-fits-all approach, but personalised medication looks to be the future. The idea behind customised medication is that it could lead to fewer ineffective treatment incidents and better outcomes. The aim is that doctors will be able to tailor treatment and preventative strategies to an individual’s unique characteristics. To achieve this, more research must be done, and data needs to be collected. Symptoms, family dynamics, environmental exposures, DNA analysis and cultural backgrounds will have to be considered for personalised medicine to work.

Health trackers

Wouldn’t it be great if your doctor could always monitor you? One day soon, it could be possible. Called biohackers, small body sensors are currently in development. They can either be sewn into your clothing or implanted into your body. These sensors can be used to help your doctor understand your symptoms better and check for underlying conditions and risk factors. One biohacker that’s being tested can be embedded in a tooth to measure things like irregular jaw movements, how often you’re coughing and what harmful foods you might be eating. Others include GPS biohackers that can lead hikers to safe medical treatment, and socks to measure body temperature and heart rate during exercise.

Brain computer interfaces

Cochlear and retinal implants gave a convenient alternative to eye and ear operations, and in years to come, brain implants are the next best thing. Imagine having a little computer chip attached to your brain that makes you a super-computer! This chip could improve the ability to hear or see, heighten your memory and even allow you to type with your mind (without the keyboard). Although these opportunities are still leaps away, biotechnologists are working hard to make technology work for us.

Cancer breathalysers

Breathalysers are best known for catching boozy drivers, but are now in development to help diagnose cancer. There have been ongoing trials for this type of breathalyser at Georgia Tech. According to their trials, the breathalyser-style device has been able to detect both breast and lung cancer in patients with up to 80% accuracy. The device works by sampling around 75 characteristics of different cancers before confirming a diagnosis. Besides the convenience, if this device hits the market, it would save cancer patients the funds that would normally go towards expensive, and sometimes invasive, cancer testing. If this device is successful in further trials, you could be seeing this device in your doctor’s office in upcoming years!

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What you need to know about sleeping tablets

November 24th, 2019 by Content Editor

If you struggle to peacefully drift off to la-la land, it means your sleep-wake cycle may be out of whack. Possible reasons for this include having too much caffeine before bed, watching TV, working on your laptop, or being on your phone late at night.

When sleep just won’t come, it’s tempting to turn to a sleeping pill for relief. But before you do, make sure you understand how they work.

Sleeping pills 101

Sleeping pills act as a temporary band aid to sleep problems. There’s a wide range of sleeping pills that vary from supplements, to over-the-counter (OTC) medication and prescription drugs.
Some of these medications can be addictive and can worsen insomnia in the long run. If you have ongoing insomnia, it’s important to see a doctor who will advise you on the best approach for treatment.

Here are common effective sleeping pills. Speak to your doctor before you start taking any medication.

Melatonin

Many sleeping pills contain melatonin. They’re commonly prescribed for circadian rhythm sleep disorders, which are problems with your internal sleep-wake cycle.

The brain produces a hormone called melatonin which regulates the sleep-wake cycle by telling the body that it’s almost time for bed when it’s dark.

Melatonin can help with:

Jet lag
Trouble falling asleep at night
Coping with shift work

Melatonin supplements are available without a prescription from your local pharmacy.

Benzodiazepines

This medication is most commonly used as a tranquiliser for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia. They can also be used to treat severe muscle spasms, tremors, acute seizures, and alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms.

However, these drugs are likely to cause daytime drowsiness and can cause drug dependence, meaning you may always need them to be help you sleep.

Benzodiazepines can help with:

Sleepwalking
Night terrors

Hypnotics

These are a group of sleeping medications only available by prescription.

You doctor is only likely to prescribe the drugs for insomnia that’s long-lasting and bothersome as they can have several negative side effects. The drugs can also treat movement disorders that interrupt sleep.

Hypnotics can help with:

Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
Periodic limb movement disorder.

Doxepin

Doxepin is used to treat insomnia in people who have trouble staying asleep. Doxepin is in a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. They work by slowing activity in the brain to allow sleep.

Doxepin is also available as a capsule and liquid to treat depression and anxiety.

Risks and side effects

All prescription sleeping pills have side effects. These will vary depending on the specific drug, dosage and how long the drug lasts in your system.

Common side effects include:

Prolonged drowsiness the next day
Headache
Muscle aches
Constipation
Dry mouth
Trouble concentrating
Dizziness
Unsteadiness and rebound insomnia

Other risks include:

Drug tolerance
Drug dependence
Withdrawal symptoms
Drug interactions
Rebound insomnia.
Masking an underlying problem

Use sleeping pills safely

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine advises the following:

Never take a pill without a doctor’s approval.
Don’t drink alcohol before using the medication.
Take the first dose when you have planned no activities for the next morning.
Don’t drive or operate heavy machinery after taking a sleeping pill.
Call your doctor right away if you experience any complications.

Sleep is an important part of your overall well-being, and without enough of it, your health can suffer. It’s important to recognise and identify lifestyle habits that could be interfering with your sleep. Often, small changes to how you spend your day and improve how you spend your night!

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How do I know if I can stop my medication?

November 20th, 2019 by Content Editor

When you’re prescribed medication, it’s important for your long-term health to follow your doctor’s instructions and to take them properly.

Unfortunately, some of us may stop taking our medication for various reasons. This may include:

Not believing the treatment is going to improve your health.
Having had a bad experience with a certain medication in the past (e.g. side-effects like nausea or cramps).
Being in denial about your condition, therefore believing you don’t need to take your medication.
Believing you “feel better”.

However, stopping your medication as you please or not taking your medication as prescribed can cause serious problems. Here are a few things you should know before you stop taking your medication.

Be prepared

Prevention is better than cure, so once you’re prescribed a new medication, understand your treatment properly. Ask your doctor:

Your dose and schedule
The expected outcome
Common side effects
How long you’ll have to take it
What will happen if you stop taking it

Talk to your doctor first

Whatever your reason for wanting to stop your medication is, discuss it with your doctor. Stopping your medication abruptly may worsen your symptoms or cause unpleasant side effects. Explain exactly why you’re thinking of not taking your medication anymore. For example, if your health seems to have improved drastically or you’ve been experiencing unpleasant reactions to your medicine, explain this clearly.

Know the side effects

When you’re prescribed any new medication, ask your doctor about the possible side effects. With some conditions like high blood pressure, stopping your medication can be dangerous. Because there are no obvious symptoms, you won’t know how your body is reacting.

Stop your medication safely

If your doctor gives you the go-ahead to stop taking medication, you can’t always just go cold turkey!. For example, with some medications, you’ll need to start taking smaller doses until your body is weaned off. This helps your body avoid unpleasant side effects that come with stopping medication too quickly.

Remember:

Always take your medication as prescribed.
Ask your doctor about anything you’re unsure about.
Always tell your doctor about other medication as some medications can react badly to each other.
Use your phones’ calendar to stay on top of your medication schedule.

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10 ways to use coconut oil this summer

November 20th, 2019 by Content Editor

Did you know there’s an-all-purpose oil that’s beneficial for your health? Believe it or not, the fleshy meat of a coconut is good for your health, both inside and out!

Coconut oil is extracted from the edible meat, the “kernel”, of the coconut. It’s extracted through various methods, which is why you’ll find different types of coconut oil like refined, unrefined or virgin.

You can use coconut oil in cooking, baking, and even as part of your beauty routine.

Let’s further explore the wide ranges of its uses:

1. Sautéing and frying

Coconut oil is great for cooking at a high heat because of its high smoke point. Oils like olive oil can oxidise when heated, but because coconut oil is made up of healthy saturated fats, it’s stable under high temperatures. It’s also great for non-stick cooking.

2. A natural moisturiser

At room temperature, it’s solid, but quickly melts when in contact with warm hands. Don’t rely on this natural oil to keep you protected from cancer-causing UV radiation though; you’d still need to apply sunscreen every day.

3. Improve your dental health

The natural oil can be a powerful weapon against the bacteria in your mouth that causes dental plaque, tooth decay and gum disease. Swishing coconut oil around in your mouth for 10 minutes, also known as oil pulling, has been found to be as effective as rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash in reducing bacteria.

4. Remove Makeup

Tired of battling with scrubbing mascara off? Worry no more! Apply a little oil on a cotton pad and wipe gently until all traces of makeup are gone. Coconut oil is also effective at removing colour fast and long lasting lipsticks.

5. Relieve eczema itch and loosen psoriasis scales

If you suffer from eczema and psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that causes skin cells to build up, coconut oil is a safe natural remedy to try. It can help soothe the rough, red and scaly patches. Enjoy a hot bath by adding a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil to the tub to relieve itchy and scaly skin.

6. Treat your feet

Sweaty feet can result in athlete’s foot, a common fungal infection. Coconut oil may help soothe the infection and flaking skin. Apply an anti-fungal cream to treat the athlete’s foot and top it with a layer of organic coconut oil. This is an excellent fix for cracked heels too.

7. Ingrown hair treatment and preventer

Rubbing a little oil on the areas where you regularly shave or are prone to bumps and infection can help relieve symptoms of ingrown hairs. The oil helps soften the skin, so hair can easily grow properly through the follicle without becoming ingrown. Oil also helps to get rid of any infection causing bacteria.

8. Improve wound healing

Coconut oil contains a fatty acid called monolaurin, which is renowned for its antimicrobial effects. Using high-quality coconut oil may help reduce the risk of infection in healing wounds.

9. Anti-fungal cream

Because of its antibiotic capabilities, coconut oil can be used on the skin to assist in treating skin fungus.

10. Nail cuticle oil

To help reduce the risk of developing fungal infections, apply coconut oil to your finger beds. This will make it easy to push back cuticles which in turn promotes nail growth.

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Injections vs. pills

October 21st, 2019 by Content Editor

Whether you need an injection or tablet boils down to how quickly medication needs to get into your system, where it needs to be and how long it should stick around in your body.

When an injection is given

An injection is when a liquid drug is administered with a needle and syringe. The fluid flows into the bloodstream or body tissue and the drug is easily dispersed in the body.

In some cases, injections are given over tablets. For example, some drugs won’t be as effective in tablet form because they could be destroyed by the enzymes that digest food. In other instances, your doctor may need to achieve an effect immediately with medication.

For example, if you’re in a critical condition (e.g. bleeding), an injection will allow medication to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream and treat you faster, or if you’re vomiting or unconscious, oral medication would be very difficult and an injection would be more effective.

When tablets are given

Tablets are the most common form of medication. This is because they’re easy to manufacture, easy to use and easy to transport. Certain drugs need to be given in tablet or capsule form as they may become ineffective when given as an injection. This happens as certain medications break down too easily once they are in liquid form.

Tablets are also easier to take as injections are often given by your doctor. Due to this, oral medication is preferred for chronic conditions.

So, are tablets or injections better?

It’s easy to think that injections work quicker and work faster because it goes straight into the bloodstream, but this is not so. Some tablets have higher doses than an injection to make up for the amount that can’t be absorbed by the stomach. This means that the amount of medication ends up being the same amount you would’ve received with an injection. Furthermore, drugs don’t necessarily work better just because it goes straight to your bloodstream.

Treatment also depends on the medical condition that’s being treated and the situation. If you’re curious why your doctor chose an injection or tablet to treat you, ask. It’s usually because he chose the best method to manage your condition.

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Don’t take these medications together!

October 21st, 2019 by Content Editor

If you’re taking two or more medications, say for example for heart disease, chances are the drugs may interact with each other, food or beverages and not perform as expected, or even worse, cause potentially dangerous side effects.

Antihistamines

Over-the-counter antihistamines temporarily relieve a runny nose or reduce sneezing, itching of the nose or throat, and itchy watery eyes. If you’re taking sedatives, tranquilisers or a prescription drug for high blood pressure or depression, check with a doctor or pharmacist before you start using antihistamines. Taking antihistamines along with blood pressure medication can cause your blood pressure to shoot up and increase your heart rate.

Bronchodilators

These temporarily relieve shortness of breath, tightness of chest and wheezing due to bronchial asthma. Check with your doctor whether it’s safe to use bronchodilators if you If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease or diabetes.

Nasal decongestants

Used to help relieve nasal congestion caused by a cold, hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies, nasal decongestants may cause adverse effects if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease or diabetes. Check with your doctor before using these.

Good to know

Give your doctor a complete list of all medications that you use or have used within the last few weeks. This should include over-the-counter medications, vitamins, food supplements and herbal remedies.

Tell your doctor about treatments and medications that are added or have been discontinued.
Inform him about your lifestyle changes like exercise, diet, alcohol intake.
Ask about the most serious or frequent drug interactions with the medications that you are taking.
Because drug interactions increase regularly with the number of medications, work with your doctor to remove unnecessary medications from your treatment plan.

Take medications safely

Always read drug labels carefully and learn about the warnings for all the medications you take.
Keep medications in their original containers so you can easily identify them.
Ask your doctor what you need to avoid when you are prescribed a new medication. Ask about food, beverages, dietary supplements and other drugs.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking an OTC drug if you are taking any prescription medications.
Use one pharmacy for all your mediation needs.
Keep all your health care professionals informed about everything that you take.
Keep a record of all prescription drugs, OTC drugs and dietary supplements (including herbs) that you take. Always keep this list with you, especially when going for any medical appointment.

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Can immunotherapy help to treat allergies?

August 8th, 2019 by Content Editor

Immunotherapy, also called biologic therapy, is a type of cancer treatment that boosts immune cells to help tackle cancer. It uses substances made by the body or in a laboratory to improve or restore immune system function.

The treatment may work by:

Stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells.
Stopping cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.
Helping the immune system work better at destroying cancer cells.

Your immune system is made up of white blood cells, organs and tissues of your lymph system, like your bone marrow. Its main job is to help your body fight off diseases and stay healthy.

Immunotherapy helps your immune system work harder and makes it easier for it to locate and target cancer cells.

Allergies and immunotherapy

Because of how immunotherapy boosts the immune system, it could also be used to treat certain allergies. In people with allergies, their body is oversensitive or hypersensitive to an allergen (the substance that causes their allergic reaction).

With allergen-specific immunotherapy, people are given allergen extracts to desensitize them to the allergen by training their body to react differently.

Like being vaccinated against your own allergy, the allergen extracts can be injected or taken as tablets or drops.

However, allergen-specific immunotherapy can’t be used for every allergy. It’s called “specific” because the allergen extract must be tailored to the person’s allergic response. These allergen extracts aren’t available for every allergy trigger.

There are currently allergen extracts that have been approved for the treatment of allergies caused by the following:

Grass pollen.
Grain pollen.
Weed pollen.
Tree pollen.
Dust mites.
Wasp and bee venom.

It’s also possible to do immunotherapy with allergen extracts that haven’t been approved, like if you are allergic to cats or mold. But unlike with the approved allergen extracts, there’s no guarantee that unapproved ones will be effective.

Risk factors

While this may be a promising form of treatment, it is not without side-effects, which could include

A bad skin reaction.
Rev up your immune system and make you feel like you have the flu, chills, and fatigue.
Swelling, weight gain from extra fluids.
Heart palpitations.
A stuffy head.
Diarrhea.
Your immune system may attack organs like your heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, or intestines.

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Erectile dysfunction medication: the good, the bad, the dangerous

June 17th, 2019 by Content Editor

Erectile dysfunction – the inability to get or maintain an erection during sex – can be distressing for both partners and can severely affect the quality of life of the sufferer. Recently, several new medications have been developed to assist the approximately 10% of men aged between 40 and 70 who experience the disorder.

Drugs for ED and how they work

Drugs for erectile dysfunction are in a class of prescription medications called phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. They cause vasodilation – the widening of blood vessels – by relaxing the walls of your arteries, and increasing levels of nitric oxide in your blood. Wider blood vessels improve blood flow to the penis and having an engorged penis makes it easier to get and maintain an erection during sex.

There are four drugs regularly prescribed for ED.

Avanafil.
Sildenafil (Viagra).
Tadalafil (Cialis).
Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn).

While each works similarly, they differ in their effectiveness.

Avanafil (Stendra) 
This medication begins working within 15 minutes and effects can last for up to six hours.

Sildenafil (Viagra) 
Viagra takes around 30 minutes to become effective and lasts about four hours.

Tadafil (Cialis) 
This medication is effective for up to 36 hours in some cases.

Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn) 
Takes about 30 minutes to start working and the effects last about five hours.

Common side-effects of all four medications include:

Headache.
Flushing (worsened by spicy foods, alcohol, or being in a warm environment).
Back or all-over body aches and pains.
Stomach upsets like diarrhoea, indigestion or heartburn.
Dizziness or lightheadedness.
Stuffy or runny nose.
Blurred or altered vision.

Alcohol may worsen some of these effects, especially the dizziness and headache. Because of the vasodilation effect, it can also cause a drop in blood pressure and speed up your heart rate.

Severe side-effects include:

Priapism – an erection that lasts far longer than the medication should be effective for.
A complete loss of vision in one or both eyes.
Numbness, burning, or tingling in the arms, hands, feet, or legs.
Rashy, peeling, blistering or itchy skin.
Swollen eyelids, or swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs.
Sudden decrease or loss of hearing.
Ringing in ears.
Hoarseness.
Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Fainting.

If you experience any of these side-effects, get medical help as soon as possible.

Do not use erectile dysfunction medication if you:

Have had a loss of vision or retinitis pigmentosa.
Take nitrates, like nitroglycerin or a similar medicine, for chest pain or heart problems.
Are taking alpha-blockers to treat prostate enlargement.
Are allergic to any other erectile dysfunction medications.

Alpha-blockers and medications with nitrates increase blood flow by relaxing your blood vessels, allowing them to widen. Erectile dysfunction drugs do the same and a cocktail of these can lead to a severe drop in your BP, leading to extreme dizziness and fainting.

Before you look at medication to treat your ED, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medications; are taking any medications or supplements and if you will be undergoing any type of surgery. Also ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of your current medications contain nitrates or any other ingredient that could interact with ED medications.

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How chilli peppers can help treat pain conditions

May 13th, 2019 by Content Editor

Chilli peppers are known for adding a spicy kick to dishes, but did you know they may also be able to ease pains and aches? They contain a powerful ingredient called capsaicin, the chemical responsible for the heat your mouth feels when you eat chilli peppers.

This hot chemical is commonly used to treat surgery related pain, joint conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia, as well as muscle sprains and headaches.

Capsaicin works by activating certain nerve receptors in and under the skin that cause stings or itching sensations. If these nerves are activated for a long period, they eventually lose their ability to function properly and can’t process pain signals. If capsaicin treatment is used regularly then the nerve signals will be kept at bay, and your pain may be reduced or even stopped.

There are two main forms of capsaicin:

Topical capsaicin  

Topical capsaicin can be used for all kinds of pain relief. It comes in the form of creams, lotions, gels, and ointment. You don’t usually need a prescription for it. To use for headaches, dab a bit inside your nostrils. For pain on the body, rub it into the affected area. If you have a headache, apply the cream to your scalp, three times a day. Always remember to avoid your mouth and eyes and wash your hands before and after use.

Capsaicin patches 

Capsaicin patches have higher levels of capsaicin than the creams. Due to this, it can only be prescribed by your doctor and is mainly used for conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetic neurotherapy.

Pain relief is usually experienced within 2 hours of applying a patch, and can last for up to three months. You shouldn’t touch the patch while it’s on your skin.

Good to know

You should never apply capsaicin creams to open wounds or cuts.
Talk to your doctor before you start using any capsaicin products and ask for directions on how to apply it.
Both the cream, patches and other capsaicin treatments come with possible side-effects. The most common are redness and swelling, dryness, burning, itching and pain. These side-effects can worsen if you’re exposed to hot or warm water and hot weather while using the products.
Capsaicin may make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays. Use sunscreen every time you head outside.
If you experience hives, swelling, chest tightness or itchiness after using capsaicin, see your doctor immediately. It could be an allergic reaction.
Besides pain relief, the heat from capsaicin can also help with a cold. Sprinkle chilli flakes, powder or fresh chillies on your food to help drain your nasal passages and sinus areas. Chilli also has a good dose of Vitamin C to boost your immune system.

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Which painkillers are best for an injury?

May 12th, 2019 by Content Editor

When you’ve been injured, it’s easy to pop a pill to ease the pain. Unfortunately, this could do more harm than good.

Anti-inflammatory medications are often used to treat muscle aches and pains. It’s important to know when and how to use anti-inflammatories and when to use alternative methods.

Pain caused by an injury to the soft tissues of the body like the muscles, tendons, and ligaments are typically classified as either acute or chronic injuries.

Most soft-tissue injuries are painful because of the swelling and inflammation that happens after an injury.

Anti-inflammatory drugs 

Although anti-inflammatory medication can help for a short while, long-term use of these medications is not recommended.

Also, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) aren’t recommended to be used before or during endurance sports. Studies have found that there’s a small amount of performance benefit of taking an ibuprofen painkiller and warn that it may mask pain, which can lead to increased risk of injury.
Other studies have warned against the use of NSAIDs during any running race longer than the traditional marathon (42km) as they have been associated with an increased risk of low blood sodium concentrations.

Acute injuries 

Acute pain is treated with the R.I.C.E. method of injury treatment (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). The treatment for acute sports injuries starts with applying ice. The use of heat may be helpful to ease muscle tension in chronic aches and pains.

Chronic injuries 

Chronic soft-tissue injuries often begin as a mild and nagging pain that never seems to go away. Chronic injuries are treated with rest, physical therapy, and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These can relieve your pain but won’t necessarily help you heal completely.

Which medication can you use?

Short acting painkillers give quick relief that lasts for a short time.

Long-acting painkillers (also called slow-release painkillers) are slower to control the pain but are effective for a longer time.

Your doctors will always prescribe the best painkillers to help control and ease pain.

Mild pain is often treated with non-opioid drugs, like paracetamol and anti-inflammatory drugs like Brufen and Nurofen.

Moderate to severe pain is usually treated with painkillers called opioids. These include medications like codeine phosphate, tramadol and morphine. Sometimes, opioids are used to treat mild pain.

Strong painkillers can cause side-effects in some people. Tell your doctor immediately.