To relieve back pain we can turn to the wide range of over-the-counter drugs, to choose from with the help of the pharmacist But if the pain persists it is good to contact the doctor.
Raise your hand who, at least once in their life, has not suffered from back pain: only in Italy as many as 15 million people are affected.
A disorder whose origin can be caused by various causes, many of which, such as incorrect posture, a cold snap or small traumas, treatable with some simple precautions.
In these cases, in addition to changing incorrect lifestyles, we can still solve the pain with drugs that can be purchased without a prescription. But if the pain recurs or lasts without diminishing for a couple of days you need to go to the doctor.
Over-the-counter drugs
Let us rely first of all on the advice of the pharmacist, who can help us choose the most suitable medicine for the contingent case.In most situations you can recommend a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), such as naproxen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, diclofenac, or acetylsalicylic acid or paracetamol.
Once you have identified the most suitable anti-inflammatory (their effect varies from person to person) you can choose between different formulations:
There are many formulations and we can choose the most suitable for our needs, including swallowable tablets, granules that dissolve in water, the important thing is to remember that oral formulations should always be taken on a full stomach.
There are also medicated patches to be applied to the skin that release the active ingredient for 6-8 hours, and finally topical formulations such as creams and gels that should be spread directly on the part affected by pain.
Anti-inflammatory drugs for topical use are widely used for back pain, such as those based on ibuprofen, ketoprofen and diclofenac: they are easily absorbed on the painful area and have an excellent safety profile since they have no systemic effects.
Prescription drugs
When the pain is particularly strong and lasts without any improvement for more than 24-48 hours it is necessary to go to the doctor who can prescribe a more powerful drug and targeted to the type of back pain described. Among them are:
| Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) | Require prescription when formulated at higher dosages than those in over-the-counter medications |
| Steroid drugs (also called cortisone) | Characterized by a high anti-inflammatory power and an action particularly rapid, but also by numerous side effects, to cause of which they can only be taken under strict control medical and for very short periods |
| Muscle relaxants | Able to relax the muscles and, therefore, indicated when the pain is caused by muscle tension |
| Analgesics | They act at the level of the central nervous system, decreasing the perception of pain |
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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