Pain advice

Whether you’re 18 or 80, most of us have experienced aches and pains. It can be clear where some of them come from, like back pain and period pain. However, sometimes we get aches and pains that don’t seem to have an obvious source. Learning more about what causes common aches and pains can help you deal with them.

You may have sprained an ankle tripping up the stairs. Or hurt it while exercising at the gym. Regardless, the result is the same. It can really disrupt your day. Typical signs of a sprained ankle are swelling, tenderness, pain and sometimes bruising, otherwise known as inflammation. These symptoms are to be expected. But what may surprise you is they’re all part of the body’s natural defence system. So, what’s happening to your sprain and why does it hurt that much?

Earaches are common in children, especially younger ones. They can be painful for children and busy mums and dads can feel a bit stuck as to how they can help. Earaches are often triggered by a simple cold and the most common type happens when the middle ear becomes inflamed.

Nurofen for Children contains ibuprofen, to provide relief of pain and reduction of fever in infants and children. There are several products in the range: Oral liquid for babies and young children aged 3 months to 5 years A more concentrated oral liquid for older children ages 5 to 12 years Soft Chews for children 7 years and older All oral liquid products in the range come with a dosing syringe, making it easy for you to give your child the correct dose. 

We all experience pain at some point, and whether you have an aching back, cramping muscles or a stiff neck, it can be unpleasant. The upside is that pain plays an important role as part of the body’s defence system – it’s your body’s way of alerting you to injury and encouraging protection from further damage. Despite its protective role, pain can be disruptive – as well as impacting on everyday activities it can also affect your sleep. Understanding how pain works may help you find effective ways to manage and relieve your pain. Here are three key things to know about pain.

Although migraines are common, they are quite unlike any other type of headache. Unless you have personally experienced one, it can be difficult to understand what makes them so different. Migraines can have a significant impact on the daily lives of sufferers. Here is some useful advice on how to spot migraines, plus a few helpful tips and ways to cope when they strike.

If you’ve ever exercised, chances are you’ve had a strain or sprain at some time or another. They’re the most common type of sports injury, but they can also occur during everyday activities when muscles are injured during activities such as work, housework and gardening. Although they often feel the same, strains and sprains are different conditions because they can affect different structures in the body. Strains are caused by damage to muscles or tendons. A tendon is a band of connective tissue that joins a muscle to a bone. Sprains, however, are caused by damage to ligaments. These are the bands of connective tissue that join bones together in a joint. 

Stress is an imbalance in demands being made and our ability to meet them. The reasons people get stressed vary, for example moving house, losing a loved one, starting a new job, worrying about a deadline… they all can have an effect on us in different ways. Interestingly enough, stress in itself isn't necessarily harmful. A little bit can actually help motivate you to achieve goals and ambitions. It’s when you’re under too much stress that your health can suffer. Thankfully, there are a number of simple steps you can take to help manage stress and stressful situations. The first step is to recognise the signs of stress.

The normal body temperature is generally around 37°C, although this can vary slightly from person to person, and it may be affected by factors like time of day, the weather, running around or wearing warm clothing. Fever is when your body temperature rises above 38°C. It’s a sign your body is fighting some kind of underlying illness and is often a symptom of infection. Both bacterial and viral infections can cause fever. While fever symptoms can leave you feeling pretty miserable, a low-grade fever is usually no cause for alarm. Most of the time fever will get better within a few days, and often can be managed at home. 

If you have suffered a minor sports-related injury such as a sprain or a minor torn ligament, as a result of physical activity, there are a number of measures that can help you get on with your life as quickly as possible.

Joint pain is a common complaint, particularly affecting us as we get older. If your joints have been affected by an injury or condition, it can cause aches and pains that affect your ability to move around normally. Any joint in your body can be affected. Whether your joint pain is mildly annoying or is getting in the way of your daily activities, there are ways to find relief. 

Coughs and sore throats are two of the most common childhood complaints. It’s likely that your child will get one, or both at some point. Learn more about coughs and sore throats, why your child gets them, and advice on relieving these symptoms.