At some point in their life, everyone needs to take some sort of medication for pain relief. Whether you’re using over-the-counter or prescription painkillers, it’s important to take them safely to minimize the risk of side effects. This guide will help you understand how to use any type of pain reliever as safely as possible.
Take Only the Recommended Dose
According to Get Relief Responsibly, doctors strongly advise that patients take only the recommended dose of pain relievers. Taking more than the recommended dose often increases the risk of damage to the liver and kidneys. Additionally, overdoses of some types of painkillers could lead to life-threatening complications. The dosage of certain pain relievers is based on the patient’s weight. Doctors will take this into account when prescribing a pain reliever, and patients should always follow the recommendations on the label for over-the-counter painkillers. Also, patients are encouraged to only use painkillers for the shortest possible time period that is necessary to relieve their pain.
Activities to Avoid
Impaired coordination is one of the most common side effects of over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers. If coordination is affected, patients might have a much slower reaction time than they otherwise would, and activities such as driving and operating machinery could become dangerous. According to WB&T, while you are taking pain killers, you should always read the label or talk to your doctor if you’re unsure if an activity such as driving is safe. If you do choose to drive, it is generally recommended that you don’t start doing so until a few days after you begin taking the medicine.
This will help you learn how the medication affects you, and you’ll be able to adjust your driving plans accordingly. For example, you might discover that the painkillers affect you more at night, and you could choose to limit or eliminate nighttime driving to keep yourself safe. You might feel drowsy as a result of the painkillers, and this could prompt you to only drive short distances.
Your doctor might also recommend that you avoid certain exercises such as strength training or swimming while taking pain relievers. Always ask your physician for personalized advice, and check with him or her about all of your activity plans.
Involve Your Doctor
Better Health While Aging advises that it’s important to involve your doctor if you’re experiencing chronic pain. Self-treating chronic pain with over-the-counter pain relievers could cause significant side effects, and it may mask an underlying medical condition. Having an evaluation with your physician will help you understand more about your pain, and your doctor might be able to recommend a more effective pain reliever that is safe for your health needs. Your clinician will have details of resources and alternative therapies that could help you in managing pain, including physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage, and he or she may choose to refer you to a pain management clinic for specialist care. Always see your physician if an over-the-counter pain reliever does not reduce your pain levels after seven days.
Taking the right dosage of pain medication and getting the best pain relief seems like a tricky balance. However, by following label recommendations, involving medical professionals, and avoiding particular activities, you’ll minimize your risk of side effects and accidents while taking pain relievers. Get well soon!
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