While mild pain can be a protective mechanism of the body,
significant or extreme pain can not only make you feel bad it may also slow the
healing process or make complications more likely.
On a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the
most extreme pain imaginable, it is generally preferable to keep pain at a
level of 3 or less. It's generally best not to use medication to take pain away completely. Mild pain is our body's reminder to curtail certain activities.
It is much easier to keep pain under control than it is to
get it back under control once it gone wild.
Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen can also be used effectively to
treat pain.Proper dosages are:
Acetaminophen 1000 mg every 6 hours (that is 3 regular
strength 325 mg tablets, or 2 extra strength 500 mg tablets).
Ibuprofen is 600 mg (3 regular strength 200 mg tablets)
every 6 hours.
For difficult to control pain, you can use both
Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen alternately.
If your health care provider has prescribed you something
stronger for pain, such as a narcotic pain medication, be sure you know what is
in the medication.Often they are
combination medications that may contain Acetaminophen.Do not allow yourself to take too much
Acetaminophen by taking it in different forms!
If you are ever prescribed any narcotic pain medications,
remember that they can interfere with functioning.You should be careful not to drive or perform
tasks that require careful concentration when you are under their
influence.Do not mix with alcohol.Only use these and any medications as they
are prescribed!
