Pain & Relief

What Is Pain?

Pain is a body’s alarm that warns that your body has been injured, inflamed, or strained. The pain message is transferred by neurons to the brain, which tells us to move away or take care of the hurt area.

Sometimes, the pain persists even after the injury has healed. Since it can affect our daily activities, sleep, and other aspects, recurring or unanticipated pain should not be ignored by masking it with painkillers. Explore KwickPharmacy's ingredients based medication present online .

What Causes Pain?

There are many causes of pain, and they include:

• Muscle cramps, pulls or sprains, and sports injuries

• Cuts, burns, fractures, or surgery

• Arthritis and inflammation

• Neck, back, or shoulder pain

• Headaches and migraines

• Dental problems

• Infections or illness

• Nerve damage, diabetes, or trapped nerve

• A long-term condition affecting the bones, muscles, or organs

In most instances, the cause of pain may seem straightforward, especially after an injury. However, some pains can arise without apparent causes or reasons. Moreover, medical intervention is necessary for some pains.

Types of Pain

Pains can be classified according to the length of time they exist and their origin.

• Acute pain starts suddenly after an injury, dental problem, or surgery and lasts for a short time.

• Chronic pain is persistent and may last for more than three months.

• Musculoskeletal pain is caused when the muscles, bones, or joints are inflamed or injured.

• Inflammatory pain occurs when there is inflammation of body tissues, which is common in people with arthritis.

• Neuropathic pain is caused by irritation or damage to nerve fibers. It affects the peripheral or central nervous system and may feel like a tingling, burning sensation, or electric shocks. Sometimes the pain may be sharp and unexpected. Ordinary painkillers are not usually effective in neuropathic pain.

• Visceral pain arises from an internal organ and can feel like a dull ache or be localized or sharp.

What Are the Symptoms of Pain?

Most people describe pain in different ways. However, some of the commonly described symptoms of pain are:

• Aching throbbing, or cramping sensation

• Sharp, shooting, or piercing discomfort

• Burning, tingling, or electric shock

• Stiffness, swelling, or tenderness

• Pain radiating from one area to another

• Lack of movement or mobility

• Trouble sleeping due to discomfort

How Can Pain Relievers Help Us?

Pain relievers help reduce the perception of pain by targeting pain receptors or reducing inflammation in the body. However, they do not usually treat the underlying causes of pain. Pain relievers are generally categorized into:

• Paracetamol or acetaminophen, is a common painkiller that can help reduce the mild to moderate pain. You should not take this medication in higher doses since it can lead to liver damage.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) mostly help reduce pain caused by swelling. The common pain relievers in this category are ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac. They are not suitable for everyone.

• Topical analgesics such as diclofenac gel, anaesthetic creams or patches, and capsaicin cream help reduce pain on the skin or deep tissues.

• Medications for nerve pain such as pregabalin and gabapentin can help reduce burning pain. However, they might cause dizziness or sleepiness.

• Prescription opioids such as tramadol or tapentadol can help reduce severe pain. Though they are effective, they can cause many side effects including tiredness, addiction, sleep apnea, and overdose. They should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

Avoid combining two or more painkillers unless you have checked their ingredients or a healthcare professional has recommended them. This is because some pain relievers have similar ingredients.

Other Ways For Managing Pain

In addition to medications, patients can also manage pain by:

• Putting the body at rest or engaging in mild exercise

• Exams or physiotherapy

• Applying hot and cold compresses

• Stretching

• Sometimes, pain management may involve more than just drugs. Chronic pain requires a comprehensive approach to managing pain that may involve a combination of drugs and other strategies.

When To See A Doctor For Pain?

Most of the time, body pain is not an emergency. However, if you have excruciating pain or your pain is interfering with your daily activities or recurs frequently, consult your doctor. Pain accompanied by chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness, or loss of consciousness or sudden pain following an accident also requires emergency care.