(3)Anti-pyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory agents
1. Blocking pain-related nerves
Anti-pyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory agents not only have analgesic effects to block the pathway for transmitting pain stimuli to the brain, but also have an anti-pyretic effect on the body-temperature-regulating center in the brain. Their main components include aspirin and acetaminophen. They relieve headaches, tooth pain, menstrual pain, and muscular and articular pain, but they are not effective in relieving pain in the internal organs, such as the stomach and intestine.
2. Pain and fever as the danger signals of the body
Pain and fever are danger signals indicating potential abnormalities in the body. Just as a toothache is evidence of advanced caries, pain and fever must have their own causes. Medicines can relieve the symptoms, but cannot eliminate their causes. Consult with your doctor or medical telecommunication if several doses of a medicine do not relieve your symptoms.
3. Dangerous side effects of gastro-intestinal disorders
Anti-pyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory agents do not act on gastro-intestinal pain. Taking them to suppress such pain may in fact worsen it. These agents can have those with gastric diseases, as the side effects of these agents damage the stomach and intestines.
(4)Allergy medicines
1. Causes of allergies
When something that can become an antigen (for example pollen, medicine or dust) invades the body, an antibody to the antigen is produced if the body is sensitive to that substance.
When the antibody encounters its antigen next time, the antigen-antibody reaction that releases active substances in cells (histamine, prostaglandin, and others) occurs to cause various symptoms. This is known as an "allergy". Allergy symptoms includes runny nose caused by pollinosis and skin eruption and itching caused by medicines.
2. Antihistamines that play a primary role
Allergic reactions are generally accompanied by rhinitis and runny nose caused by histamine produced in the body.
Commercial rhinitis medicines often contain chlorpheniramines with an antihistaminic effect.
Chlorpheniramines act on runny nose caused by both a cold and pollinosis, as they are similar allergic reactions.
3. Side effects of antihistamines
An antihistamine may cause drowsiness. Do not take it before driving a car or operating machinery.
4. Symptoms worsened by excessive doses
Vasoconstrictors relieve hyperemia and swelling of the nasal mucosa to open blocked nostrils. However, repeated use of the medicine may worsen the symptoms through secondary hyperemia.
Use a vasoconstrictor a few times only when you feel uncomfortable, and discontinue its use when the symptoms are relieved.
5. Dangerous self-diagnosis
The primary treatment for an allergy is to identify and avoid its cause. Since even commercial medicines may have potent effects, their continuous use may cause side effects. You should consult with your doctor or medical telecommunication for medicinal usage advice.
