Maryland's Health Matters - Charles Regional - Winter 2018 - 5

A HEALTHY START

Guide to Over-theCounter Pain Relievers
You'll find several kinds of over-the-counter pain relievers
on drugstore shelves. How do you know what's right for your
aches and pains? It all depends. Here are the main types of pain
medications, what they're good for and how to use them safely.

1. ACETAMINOPHEN

blood pressure, kidney

What it's good for:

disease or gastrointestinal

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

bleeding; if you take blood

relieves fever and common
types of pain. It does not
soothe inflammation.
But it's often a good

thinners, such as warfarin,
clopidogrel (Plavix),
apixaban (Eliquis),
dabigatran (Pradaxa)

choice for people with

or rivaroxaban

arthritis pain because

(Xarelto); or if

it is less likely to cause

you are already on

5 WAYS TO
STAY ACTIVE
IN WINTER

It's getting cold outside, but that's no reason
to hibernate. Try these tips to keep moving!
Take your routine indoors. If you usually

side effects such as

a prescription NSAID,

stomach problems.

such as celecoxib (Celebrex)

run or walk but hate the cold, use the tread-

Safety precautions: Never

or nabumetone (Relafen).

mill or elliptical at the gym. If you cycle, try

take more than 3 grams

Children should not take

a spinning class or convert your outdoor bike

(about six extra-strength

aspirin. It increases the risk of

into a stationary one with a wind trainer.

pills or nine regular pills)

Reye's syndrome, which can

Use fitness DVDs. Borrow some from

of acetaminophen in a day,
because large doses can
harm the liver. Alcohol
can increase the risk.
Acetaminophen can be
present in other overthe-counter medications,
such as cold preparations.

2. ASPIRIN
What it's good for:
Aspirin, a non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drug

cause brain damage
and liver problems.

3. OTHER
NSAIDS
What they're good for:
Other popular NSAIDs, such

a friend or check out a few from the library.
Or set up a gym in your home equipped
with dumbbells or resistance bands for
strength training and a jump-rope for
cardio (or just jog in place).
Make the most of outdoor chores. Shoveling
snow, chopping wood and cleaning the

as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

gutters will keep you moving-and burn

and naproxen sodium (Aleve,

calories-on chilly winter days.

Naprosyn), also target everyday

Try something new. Take up an outdoor

pain and inflammation.

fitness activity, such as cross-country skiing

Safety precautions: As
with aspirin, discuss the

or snowshoeing. Look for running or walking
events and races sponsored by local athletic

(NSAID), not only

use of these NSAIDs

organizations throughout the winter.

reduces pain, but also

with your doctor

Join a group. Participating in a fitness class,

decreases inflammation

if you have heart

training group or running club adds fun and

from problems such as

disease, high blood

variety to fitness and motivates you to get

pressure, kidney disease

out the door. Alternatively, find a workout

muscle injuries and arthritis.
Safety precautions: Talk to

or gastrointestinal bleeding,

buddy-you're more likely to work out if you

your doctor about using aspirin

or if you are on blood thinners

know someone is counting on you.

if you have heart disease, high

or prescription NSAIDs.
charlesregional.org | Winter 2018  5
http://www.charlesregional.org
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland's Health Matters - Charles Regional - Winter 2018
