Aches and Pains Flashcards
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Outline analgesics
Drugs that relieve pain, work by:
- Inhibiting chemical production at the injury site to prevent pain signal initiation
- Prevent the pain message from being recognised when it reaches the brain – by
blocking the chemicals produced in that part of the pain process
Outline the 3 properites of analgesics
Analgesic Effect – the ability to reduce pain
Antipyretic Effect – The ability to reduce fever
Anti-inflammatory Effect – The ability to reduce inflammation
Outline the most popular analgesic
- Paracetamol as blocks the production of pain-causing chemicals both at the site of injury and in the brain
- Reduces fever and is well absorbed in the body – does not irritate the stomach
Outline the recommended dose for paracetemol
- Most common dosage for is 500mg tablets and capsules
- TWO tablets every four hours as required.
- Not more than eight tablets in 24 hours
- No more than four doses to be given in any 24 hour period
Outline Paracetamol Paediatric suspension
Paracetamol 120mg in 5mL
Child’s age Dose Dosage Frequency
3-6 months - 2.5mL - 4 times a day MAX
6-24 months - 5 mL - 4 times a day MAX
2-4 years - 7.5mL - 4 times a day MAX
4-6 years - 10mL- 4 times a day MAX
Outline 6 years + suspension
Paracetamol 250mg in 5mL
Child’s age Dose Dosage Frequency
6-8 years - 5mL - 4 times a day MAX
8 – 10 years - 7.5 mL - 4 times a day MAX
10 -12 years - 10mL - 4 times a day MAX
12-16 years - 10 - 15mL - 4 times a day MAX
Outline 3 paracetemol concerns
- Repeat and bulk purchases
- Risk of overdose
- Over dosage usually fatal if not identified in time
Outline another analgesic
Aspirin (NSAID AS WELL)
- Blocks the production of pain-causing chemicals both at the site of injury and in the brain
- Reduces fever and inflammation
Outline the dosage for aspirin
300mg tablets or capsules
- Take up to THREE 300mg three or four times a day
- No more than 12 tablets to be taken in 1 day
- Should not be taken with other products containing aspirin or NSAIDS
Outline 4 aspirin concerns
- Risk if used by asthmatics
- Ulceration and bleeding risk
- Patients taking anticoagulant therapy
- Potentially dangerous for children
Outline another anelgesic
Ibrupofen (NSAID AS WELL)
- Blocks the production of pain-causing chemicals both at the site of injury and in the brain
- Reduces fever and inflammation
- More gentle on the stomach than aspirin
Outline the dosage for ibuprofen
200mg tablets (also available as a 400mg tablet)
- Take ONE to TWO 200mg tablets up the three times a day as required
- Leave at least four hours between doses
- Do not take more than six tablets in any 24 hour period
Outline the dosage for ibuprofen oral suspension
Ibuprofen 100mg in 5mL
Child’s age Dose Dosage Frequency
3-6 months - 2.5mL - 3 times a day MAX
6-12 months - 2.5 mL - 3 - 4 times a day MAX
1 - 2 years - 2.5mL - 3 - 4 times a day MAX
3 -7 years - 5mL - 3 - 4 times a day MAX
8-12 years - 10mL - 3 - 4 times a day MAX
Outline 3 ibruprofen concerns
Risk if used by asthmatics
* Patients with history of ulceration
* Should not be taken with other products containing aspirin or NSAIDS
Outline another anelgesic
Co-Codamol
- A combination medicine of Paracetamol AND Codeine
- Blocks the brain’s ability to feel pain and determine its severity
- Over-the-counter ‘P’ medicine
- Can cause addiction. For three days use only
Outline the dosage for co-codamol
500mg paracetamol +8 mg codeine tablets
* ONE to TWO tablets every four to six hours when required
* Maximum eight tablets in 24 hour period for three days Maximum
* DO NOT TAKE WITH ANY OTHER PARACETAMOL CONTAINING
PRODUCTS
Outline 4 risks of co-codamol
- Addiction
- Not particularly effective
- Risk of overdose on paracetamol if take too many
- Side effects outweigh any significant benefit
Define Aches and Pain and what it may be
Pain is the body’s way of telling you something is wrong
* Pain can be:
1. Damage that has already occurred
2. A sign of an underlying illness that needs to be treated
3. The body’s way of telling you to stop to prevent further damage
Outline 5 types of aches and pain
- Headaches
- Dental
- Back ache
- Joint and muscle pain (sprains and strains, osteoarthritis)
- Period pain (stomach cramps)
Outline signs and symptoms of headaches
- Tension – pressure on both sides of the head, often explained as a
tight band around the head - Migraine – throbbing/pounding feeling in head, blurred vision,
flashing lights, nausea and vomiting - Sinus – throbbing pain; can be worse on waking and bending over
which results from a build up pressure in the sinuses - Hangover – throbbing, dull ache
Outline when to refer for headaches
- Children under 12
- Headaches persistent after a head injury
- Headaches severe and getting worse
- With slurred speech/confusion
- Accompanied by a high temperature
- Migraine for the first time
Outline lifestyle advice for headaches
- Drink plenty of water and lots of rest
- Try to relax – stress can make headaches worse!
- Exercise when you can
Outline signs and symptoms of dental pain
Decay – as a result of poor oral hygiene
Cracked tooth – could be as a result of an injury
Abscess – infection of gum
Outline when to refer for dental pain
- Raised temperature
- Discharge
- Swollen face
Outline lifestyle advice for dental pain
- Try rinsing mouth out with salt water
- Use a pain-relieving gel for your mouth (eg. Orajel)
- Eat soft foods like yoghurt or scrambled eggs and try to avoid chewing
with the sore tooth
Outline signs and symptoms of back ache
Muscular – dull ache
Stiffness – reduced mobility (movement)
Nerve – sharp, shooting pain
Outline when to refer for back ache
- Severe back pain of unknown cause or pain not getting better
- Tingling/ numbness passing into one or both legs
- Problems passing water
- Swelling in the area or symptoms caused by a direct injury
Outline lifestyle advice for back ache
- Stay as active as possible as resting for long periods can make the
pain worse - Try exercises and stretches for back pain – walking, swimming, yoga,
pilates - Use hot/cold compression packs for short-term relief
Outline signs and symptoms of joint and muscle pain
- Muscular – dull ache
- Stiffness – reduced mobility (movement)
- Inflammation
- ‘Wear and tear’ of the joints
Outline when to refer for joint and muscle pain
- Restricted mobility
- Pain not getting better
- Swelling in the area or symptoms caused by a direct injury
Outline lifestyle advice for joint and muscle pain
- Stay as active as possible as resting for long periods can make the
pain worse - Try exercises and stretches – walking, swimming, yoga, pilates
- Use hot/cold compression packs for short-term relief
Outline signs and symptoms of period pain
Painful stomach cramps which can spread to the back and thighs
- Intense or constant spasms
- Can vary with each period
Outline when to refer for period pain
- Severe period pain not responding to over-the-counter analgesics
- Pain continues once the period has passed
Outline lifestyle advice for treatment of period pain
- Stop smoking
- Gentle exercise
- Heat pads/hot water bottles
- Warm bath or shower
- Massage
- Relaxation techniques such as yoga or pilates
