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Answers

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Answers begin here for managing pain.

Pain often gets better on its own. But

sometimes it doesn't go away, or it

gets worse. If this is the case, let your

healthcare provider know as soon as

possible in order to rule out serious

injury or other health problems.1

Read on for answers about how to

manage your pain better.

Answers at Wal!~

Contents

tension headaches ................... Page 4

migraine headaches ................ Page 7

arthritis ..................................... Page 10

muscle pain and cramps .......... Page 15

fever.......................................... Page 18

backache .................................. Page 20

pain and health concerns ......... Page 22

menstrual cramps .................... Page 25

pain definitions ......................... Page 26

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What is a tension headache?

The pain from a tension headache may feel like a dull pressure or a tight band around your head. You might also feel tension in your temples, neck and shoulders. Tension headaches can be caused by:

• Tlghtening of the neck muscles due to

stress, depression, anxiety or anger

• A head injury

• Poor posture

• Sleeping in a cold room, or an

awkward neck position during sleep2

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What pain relievers can help treat a tension headache?

Over the counter pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve tension headaches. For more severe or chronic tension headaches, you may need prescription pain relievers or muscle relaxants.2

•

be l ntormed

Other causes of tension

headaches include:

• Certain foods, alcohol and caffeine

• Colds, flu or sinus lnfection

• Smoking

• Changes in sleep schedule

• Eyestrain

• Noise

• Perfume and chemical odors

• Extreme fatigue or hormone changes

• Skipplng meals3

4 5

What are some nonmedical options to prevent tension headaches?

• Practice good posture and take frequent breaks to exercise your neck and shoulders when typing or working on computers or similar repetitive tasks.

• Visit a physical therapist who can provide special stretching and strengthening exercises or a chiropractor who can help correct bad posture issues.

• Try biofeedback or other relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga and deep breathing/visualization to help relieve and manage stress.4

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QA • ~

What is a migraine headache?

Migraines are another common form of headache that can cause intense throbbing or pounding, pain, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. A migraine can last for a few hours or even a few days. A pulsing pain can be in the forehead, side of the head or near the eyes.

What are migraine triggers?

Avoid migraine triggers like aged

cheeses, wine, peanut butter and

luncheon meats. Migraines can

also be triggered by strong odors,

bright lights, loud noises, weather

changes and fatigue, among

other things. Not everyone has

the same migraine triggers.5•6

6 7

QA

How can I prevent

migraine headaches?

• Get on a regular schedule for

eating, sleeping and exercise

• Stay well hydrated

• Manage stress at home and

in the workplace

• Quit smoking7

How do I treat a migraine

headache?

Over the counter pain relievers

like aspirin, aspirin-and-caffeine

combination, acetaminophen,

ibuprofen and naproxen can help

to relieve migraine pain. If you have

frequent, very severe migraines.

consult your healthcare provider

about prescription medications.8

•

be l nformed

Nonmedical options:

Lie down in a dark, quiet room with

a cool compress on your forehead.

• Massage your neck muscles. scalp

and temples to alleviate tension

and tightness.9

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What is a dehydration headache?

If you don't drink enough water, you

can develop a headache. You may have

pain over your entire head, or it may

be focused ln one specific location.

The paln may become more severe

if you bend down, move your head

or just walk around. A dehydration

headache should improve if you drink 16-32 oz. when you first feel symptoms. If left untreated, 1t can cause severe

pain and vomiting and may even

require treatment with IV fluids.10

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What is arthritis?

What steps can help my arthritis?

• Weight loss helps to reduce stress on the knees, hips and lower back and leads to healthier joints.

• Exercise can improve muscle strength and range of motion, and can reduce stiffness. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider if you have any exercise restrictions.

• Braces. canes or other devices can

help in daily activities.

• Heat or cold therapy can provide

short-term relief.

• Massage, acupuncture and visits to a chiropractor or physical therapist may provide temporary relief of osteoarthritis symptoms.12

Arthritis refers to a group of more than 100 diseases and conditions that inflame joints and the tissues around them.11 Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 27 million people in the U.S. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint pain, stiffness and swelling. a cracking or gnnding noise as 101nts are moved and problems with the

function of the joints.12

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QA ••

What are some hot and cold therapy options for arthritis pain?

Both heat and cold therapies can help reduce the pain and inflammation of arthritis. You and your healthcare provider can decide which one might work best for you.13

Heat therapy increases blood flow.

tolerance for pain and flexibility.

Some techniques you can try:

• Apply moist heat, such as placing

warm towels or hot packs on the

inflamed joint.

• Take a warm bath or shower.

• Use a heating patch or belt.14

• Relax in a heated swimming pool

or hot tub.14 However, you need to limit your time in the hot water if you have a heart condition or take blood pressure medication. Hot water can overheat you, cause dehydration and increase your blood pressure.15

Cold therapy numbs the nerves

around the joint. This reduces pain and may relieve inflammation and muscle spasms.

Some examples of cold therapy are:

• Cold packs

• Ice massage

• Soaking in cold water

• Over the counter (OTC) sprays and ointments that cool the skin and joints.18

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What are some other

arthritis pain options?

Topical pain rel evers

These may cause your skin to feel hot or cold, which can briefly help stop the feeling of pain. Some products contain:

• Capsaicin, a hot pepper extract that will cause your skin to feel very warm.

• SaJicylates, the active ingredient

found 1n aspirin.

• Menthol, which makes the skin

feel cooler.17

Oral pain relievers

• Acetaminophen is often a first choice for treatment of osteoarthritis because if does not irritate the stomach.

• Ibuprofen and naproxen are also effective but can cause stomach upset, so they are best taken with food. Use only as directed on the product label.18

Speak to your healthcare provider

or Walgreens pharmacist about

what options are best for you.

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What can I do to help

relieve muscle pain?

• Pain-relieving creams and sprays

can offer temporary rel ief for muscle soreness by helping to numb the

skin surface. Heat can also help,

but don't use these creams and

sprays with a heating pad as they can

cause burns.20

• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help soothe the pain.21

• If your pain continues, stretching,

massage or acupuncture may 23be helpful.22·

If you have swelling and significant

pain, talk to your healthcare provider. 24

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How can I reduce or prevent muscle cramps?

• Stretch before and after you exercise.

A warm-up and cool-down can help

prevent muscle cramping. If your

cramps happen at night, help prevent

them by stretching during the day.

• Drink plenty of fluids, and if you

are sweating a lot due to heavy

exercise, drink both water and an

electrolyte drink to replenish your fluids and salt.25

• Eat foods that contain calcium,

vitamin D, vitamin E and magnesium may also help.26

• Drink beverages with quinine, like

tonic water. This may help prevent

muscle cramps. However, you

should first check with your

healthcare provider.27

• Ask your healthcare provider or

Walgreens pharmacist if your med1cation(s) may be a cause of your muscle cramps.2a

16 17

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What can I do for a fever?

If your fever is 102°F or lower, get plenty of rest and stay hydrated by drinking a lot of fluids. In addition, the following may help to relieve discomfort:

• Take ibuprofen, acetaminophen or another type of over the counter (OTC), fever-reducing product if you feel uncomfortable.

• A lukewarm sponge bath may help lower your fever. Wear light clothing and cover yourself with a light sheet or cover. If you become chilled, cover up with an extra blanket, but remove it once the chills subside. Bundling under layers of dothing and blankets traps heat, making a fever last longer than usual. 29

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If your fever is 103"F or greater, or if any of the following applies to you, contact your healthcare provider:

• Your fever does not improve or

lasts longer than three days.

• You have a severe headache,

stiff neck, confusion, excess

sleepiness. sore throat, pain with

urination, abdominal pain, repeated

vomiting, chest pain, shortness of

breath or other unusual symptoms.29

18 19

http:symptoms.29

Other tips include·

• Reach and stay at a healthy weight.

This limits the strain on your back.

• Watch your posture. Lift heavy

objects carefully. To lift an item, hold

it close to your body, lift with your

knees and keep your abdominal

muscles tight.

• Stay active. Experts suggest

everyone do a total of at least

150 minutes of moderate aerobic

activity every week. Check with your

healthcare provider before starting

an exercise program-particularly if

you have other health conditions.

• Limit bending, twisting or reaching.

If you carry a lot of materials around at work. put them in a rolling suitcase or cart.JJ

How can I treat backaches?

The best way to fight back pain is to

target the inside of your body as well

as the outside. Take pain relievers to

help reduce the pain and use topical

warming creams, heating pads, regular

massage and other external treatments

to reduce your discomfort. Talk to your

doctor before using topicals and orals

to prevent an overdose.30-32

Answers at w~~ 20 21

What types of serious pain require immediate medical treatment?

These three types of pain could mean a serious health problem and require immediate emergency medical treatment:

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• Chest pain Sometimes chest pain that doesn't go away can be a symptom of a heart attack.34

• Severe or persistent headache Headache with a loss of feeling or weakness in any part of the body, or headache along with problems with speech, vision, movement or keeping your balance could be a sign of stroke.35

• Worsening abdom nal pain This could be a sign of an inflamed appendix, known as appendicitis.36

I know I can take aspirin for pain. Can aspirin also protect my heart?

People who are at high risk for a heart attack or have already had a heart attack may find it helpful to take a daily, low dose of aspirin. This can help prevent blood clots. Ask your healthcare provider if it is right for you.37

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• •

What is TENS therapy?

One method used to treat pain 1s

called transcutaneous electrical nerve

stimulation, or TENS therapy. The TENS

unit consists of one or more electrical

signal generators, a battery and a set

of electrodes. They are small and can

be programmed. These units are often

placed over the skin near the source of

pain. Training is required to use the device

properly. There are several settings that

vary the type and strength of electrical

pulse the patient receives. TENS can

cause skin irritation and redness and

some people may be allergic to the tape

or gel used with the device. TENS units

are available at Walgreens without a

presciptlon. However, you should first

check with your healthcare provider to

find out whether your pain condition

can benefit from TENS therapy. 38

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How can I treat menstrual cramps?

Start by lying

down. You can

also place a

heating pad or

hot water bottle on

QA

your lower abdomen. Those will

help relax the cramping uterine muscles.

Empty your bladder whenever you feel

the need to urinate. Regular exercise

can help tone your muscles and reduce

cramping if it develops. Ibuprofen

and other OTC pain medications may

also provide relief.38 Prescription pain

relievers can be helpful for severe menstrual cramps.4o

25 24

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• Arthritis

Common areas of the body affected:

knee, wrist, hand, shoulder, hips.

Wear and tear on a joint that can lead

to pain, swelling, stiffness, redness

or warmth.

• Back pain

Back pain can result from

accidents/iniunes, muscle strains,

being overweight or normal aging.

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Pain can be constant and may get

worse with movement or heavy lifting.

Other common symptoms include

aching or stiffness, often in the lower

back, but they can occur anywhere.

These symptoms may get worse

when you're tired or when you've

been standing for a long time.

• Bruise Also known as a "contusion."

Symptoms include pain, swelling,

and black, blue, purple, or yellow

coloring of the skin.

• Bursitis

Common areas of the body affected:

shoulder, elbow, knee, hip.

A bursa 1s a tiny, fluid-filled sac that

cushions and reduces friction around

joints. In bursitis, the bursa become

swollen and tender. The pain usually

gets worse with movement.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

This is a condition where irritation of

a nerve in your wrist causes painful

throbbing, tingling and numbness

in your hand and wrist. It can be

caused by long periods of bending

and twisting your hands and wrists,

or using them over and over again for

the same task, like typing.

26 27

• Ligament sprain

Common areas of the body that are

affected: ankle, knee, shoulder.

A ligament is a thick tissue that

connects one bone to another

bone. A sprain is when the ligament

is stretched or torn. This causes

pain and swelling that is usually

worse when you try to move the

injured area.

• Tendonitis

Common areas of the body affected:

knee, shoulder, elbow, hips, hands.

A tendon is a thick tissue that

connects muscle to bone. Stretching,

tearing, or overuse of a tendon leads

to pain and swelling that gets worse

with movement. Some other names

for tendonitis include: Little League

elbow, golfer's elbow, tennis elbow

and runner's knee.

• Thumb hyperextension

If the thumb gets stretched hard

away from the rest of the fingers, a

ligament called the ulnar collateral

ligament (UCL) can be damaged.

This causes pain and swelling at the

base of the thumb that gets worse

with some types of movement. Injury

to this ligament is also called skier's

thumb or gamekeeper's thumb.1

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Questions about which pain management products are right for you?

Walgreens pharmacists can help you determine the best pain management products for your individual needs. Consult with one of our knowledgeable pharmacists in store or to chat with a live pharmacist

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~ anytime day or night log on to Walgreens.com/PharmacyChat.

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