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How to avoid surprising risks of OTC Pain Medications

Here are some tips from the Cleveland Clinic on the safe use of over the counter medications. Most of us use these medications at least periodically;  using them wisely decreases the likelihood of a lot of problems that happen more often than you might think--things like drug-drug or drug-food interactions, accidental toxicity, or just bothersome side effects.




1.  Use over the counter pain medication for short term pain relief only.  These medications were never intended to be something to be used on a daily basis.

2. Try topical pain relief medications in place of oral medication when possible.  This minimizes how much medication gets into your system.  Most of these products provide a pleasing distraction sensation to the area where they are applied.



3) Use nutritional supplements that are useful for your particular pain situation.  Most of us can benefit from the omega-3 oils in fish oil supplements for pain and other reasons.  For instance, the omega 3 oils help us to produce our own anti-inflammatory defense against arthritis and other conditions.  They are also good for heart health!

4) Try an anti-inflammatory diet if you have an inflammatory condition and deal with chronic pain. It may do you more good than you know!

5) Make your best effort to keep your weight at what is ideal for your frame.  Carrying around those extra pounds puts a lot of stress on a body, especially knee and hip joints.  Recent research also suggests that body fat is metabolically active and can produce hormones and chemicals that increase inflammation.

Source: Cleveland Clinic Wellness Team;wikimedia;foodlive.com


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