Muscular Pain
Muscular pain refers to pain in the
voluntary skeletal muscles.
Symptoms of Muscular Pain
The chief symptom is pain, stiffness
and tenderness. If a particular muscle has been injured the muscle may be
swollen.
Causes of Muscular Pain
Causes of muscular pain include
excessive exercise, injury, bad posture, fever disease (e.g. flu, tonsillitis)
and joint disease (e.g. gout, arthritis).
Self-treatment
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Use the affected muscle as little as
possible while the pain persists.
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Take a mild painkiller, muscle
relaxant or anti-inflammatory preparation in recommended doses.
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If possible, support the affected area
with a firm, but not over-tight, bandage.
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Physiotherapy.
When to consult a doctor
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It is advisable to consult a doctor if
severe pain persists for more than two days.
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What the doctor might do
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Treatment depends on the severity of
the complaint. Your doctor may well prescribe a stronger painkiller along
with a muscle-relaxant or anti-inflammatory drug.
What you need to know about your Medication
Aspirin
Aspirin is a pain-relieving,
fever-reducing and anti-inflammatory medication.
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Precautions and side effects
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Follow the directions on the pack. Do
not exceed the recommended dose.
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Do not use aspirin if it has a strong,
vinegar-like odor.
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Do not use in pregnancy.
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Aspirin should not be given to
children under 12 years of age, as its use has been linked to Reye’s
syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal, liver disorder.
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Do not use continually for longer than
10 days without consulting your doctor.
Codeine
Codeine is primarily used for mild to
moderate pain and is often combined with aspirin or paracetamol.
Precautions and side effects
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Serious adverse effects are rare with
codeine. Constipation may occur.
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Codeine should not be used in
pregnancy or given to children unless prescribed by a doctor.
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Although codeine may be habit-forming,
addiction seldom occurs if the drug is used for a limited period and the
recommended dosage is followed.
Paracetamol
Paracetamol is a pain-relieving and
fever-reducing drug. It can be used for mild aches and pains such as headaches,
toothache and joint pain. It does not reduce inflammation. Paracetamol is
available in liquid form for treating pain and reducing fever in children. It is
one of the safest of all pain-relieving drugs when taken correctly. As it does
not cause stomach upset or bleeding problems, it is a useful alternative for
people who cannot tolerate aspirin.
Precautions and side effects
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Several paracetamol preparations are
available that have been specially formulated for use in children. Stick to
the recommended dosage, according to the age of the child. As these
preparations are pleasant-tasting, they should be kept well out of reach of
children.
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If you suffer from liver or kidney
disease you should take paracetamol under medical supervision only.
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Do not use continuously for longer
than 10 days without consulting your doctor.
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