Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug classified as a NSAID. As the acronym suggest, Ibuprofen (and aspirin) is used to decrease inflammation. Inflammation causes tissue to expand and generates nerve signals that are interpreted by our bodies as pain. In order to ease pain, we must decrease the inflammation.
Also like aspirin, ibuprofen is used to treat a wide variety of conditions - arthritis, abdominal cramps from menstruation and many others. But, like aspirin, it can produce side effects. Blood in vomit or stools, general stomach upset even dizziness are commonly reported.
Other potential side effects include allergic reactions, leading to swelling of the throat or tongue, fluid retention and ringing in the ears. Since it works by changing blood composition, as does aspirin, anyone who has had heart surgery should avoid it.
Those with a liver or kidney disease, too, should consult a doctor before taking ibuprofen. Patients with ulcers or those taking coagulation medication should as well. Anyone with high blood pressure or heart disease should find a substitute. Nausea is fairly common and diarrhea is sometimes reported.
Ibuprofen is not suitable for pregnant women though it's generally safe during early stages. It is particularly risky in the last trimester, as it may produce birth defects. The compound in ibuprofen can be passed through the blood stream into the fetus. Consulting a physician is a wise precaution.
All these side effects can be minimized by proper dosage and consumption. If taken in liquid form, use a carefully calibrated measuring spoon or small cup, rather than a teaspoon. Alcohol shouldn't be consumed with or just before hand, and the ibuprofen should be taken with a glass of milk or water.
In general, it shouldn't be combined with other over-the-counter pain medications, such as aspirin or naproxen. The list of other drugs that can interact unfavorably is, not surprisingly, very long. Some of the more common ones are steroids (prednisone, for example), lithium (such as Lithobid) and diuretics.
On the upside, ibuprofen has been shown to be very effective in treating a wide variety of headaches. Some, such as those produced by high altitudes (a condition called AMS - acute mountain sickness) respond very well to ibuprofen. That's good news for climbers and those who travel in planes frequently.
There has been a lot of research conducted on whether aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen works better in alleviating pain. The answer is different depending on the person. The most important thing to remember is that you should use what works best for you and what causes the fewest side effects.
Vascular Heaadche
Naturally, both prescription and over-the-counter medications do carry some risks and the possibility of side effects.
Kiatsu can be used as a treatment for headaches by using firm pressure on certain areas of the head and neck. Learn about kiatsu headache treatments with tips from a kiatsu expert in this free alternative medicine video.
After a few hours I started 2 get a headache and decided 2 take my dad's pill 4 whenever he gets headaches. So I popped 1 in and swallowed. I started 2 get drossy and a lil dizzy but just shook it off...i mean there wasn't any side effects...right? Slowly and slowly my eyes starts 2 close...right before I could even see the truck headed my way...
Michelle- M Amanda- A D-doctor
Slowly and slowly my eyes struggled 2 open..it felt as if thousands pieces of glass were in my eye. My eyes darted around the room..
M- where am i???
D- You're in a hospital..u were in the ER but u were moved out of there.
M-Wat??? Why was I in ER? AM I OK!!!!!!!!!!! OMG I HAVE CANCER DON'T I ?!??1 OMG THERES SO MANY THINGS I HAVE 2 DOO...!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok doc give me the news!!!!! I kno I have Cancer!!!!!!!!! (lol jk shes doesn't)
D- No mam u don't. Now tell me wat is the last thing u remember?
M- I just remember driving in the middle of the night and then taking a pill...then a blackout...wat happened?
D-*deeps breathly* Well apparently the pill you took had some side effects..
M-Like wat..
D- Well...drossyiness (sleepiness) Ms.Williams..you fell asleep at the wheel..killing your mother and father.
AS soon as those words reached my ear I shut down..i couldn't control myy feelings...I didn't kno whether to be sad or angry at my stupidity. How stupid culd I be 2 fall asleep and kill my parents...and right after everything was getting better again.
M- wat..wat about Amanda...is she ok?
D- well right now shes resting...u may go in and see her after she gets her medicine.
M- anything wrong with her?? And broken bones??
D- well she fractured her collarbone..which is much better than wat could of happened. She'll be good in no time..and it seems you came out ok with just a few scratches..your very lucky 2 be alive young lady.
M- Really??? Oh yeah im soooo lucky..that my parents are dead cuz of ME...my lil sis is hurt because of ME...we r homeless now cuz of ME...and I just ruined my sisters life and my life cuz of ME!!!!! Yeah im soo lucky..
I couldn't take it anymore...I needed 2 find a place 2 think..nice quiet place..All those images were coming back into my head...seeing the truck's bright light before it hit us..hearing my sister's scream after we were taken out of the car..and the car as it burned in flames..How culd I be soo damn stupid..why did I survive. Why couldn't my mom or dad survived...they were good people and the world needed them...the world didn't need another stupid damn teenager ...
*couple hours l8ter*
D- ms. Williams, you make come see your sister now.
M- ok thank you.
I soon as I entered her room the tears started rolling...her face..was covered in bruises and scratches..just seeing her little body with all the tubes connected 2 her killed me 2 look at..
M- Am-Amanda...
A- mich...is tht u..
Tears were tearing down my face.
M- yeah it is ..im so glad 2 see you..look Amanda thers sumthing u need 2 kno.
A- if its about mom and dad..i already know..
M- Look Amanda im so sorry ..we'll get thorugh this I promise..
A- Sure..our lives r gona be perfect...thanks 2 u....now can u just leave me alone...that's the at least u can do after wat u've done...
Great now even my own sister h8tes me...culd my life get any worse. Suddenly I felt arms around my waist..
Line B in kiatsu for headache treatment is one finger width to either side of the center of the skull. Learn how to use kiatsu on line B with tips from a kiatsu expert in this free alternative medicine video.
Researchers still do not know exactly how the headache related pain occurs. Once they occur, the migraine is usually not far behind. Triptans do not cure all migraines but they are very effective at reducing the throbbing and intense pain associated with migraines. Beta-blockers, for example, are used to treat heart conditions, but they are also often effective in preventing migraines. Migraines run in families, while cluster headaches do not. This can often happen at night during sleep when the person has no conscious control. Before reaching for the drugs, practice some simple methods for minimizing stress.
In practice, the pain can be nearly anywhere above the neck, but is typically more localized.
As distinguished from so-called prophylactics which are used to prevent them. Until researchers come to a better understanding of headaches, we will have to continue to use the remedies that are currently available. Aspirin also interferes with the creation of blood clots (prostaglandins play a part there, too). The majority of headaches (85 to 90 percent) turn out to be typical tension headaches due to the factors listed above.
