When you sustain an injury, fluid collects in the area and causes swelling. If the swelling is not treated, even more fluid can collect and cause increased pain. A therapy regimen known as RICE -- rest, ice, compression and ele...
An allergy is the immune system's response to what it perceives as a threat from a foreign substance such as a food item, pollen or an animal. When this substance, known as an allergen, enters your body, the immune system relea...
Whenever you take two or more medications, whether they be prescription or over-the-counter, it is important to ensure they are safe together. In addition to preventing harmful interactions, it is important to ensure that one m...
The correct dosage is one of the five rights of medication administration, for both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Two examples of units of measurement are mcg and mg. Though they're very similar, they're two differen...
In diabetes mellitus Type 1, the cells of the pancreas that normally release insulin do not function, while in diabetes mellitus Type 2, the cells in the body have become resistant to insulin. Insulin may be used in both types ...
Its effectiveness in breaking down food in the stomach relies on a precise system of environmental controls preserving optimal pH levels. Barring certain medical conditions, this system needs no external intervention to stay on...
Two tablets are taken each time you eat and may be purchased in grocery and drug stores. If you experience heartburn or indigestion, consult with your physician or health care provider prior to taking Prelief, especially if you...
The tablets and capsules are available as delayed-release and immediate release, but the granules for suspension are delayed released. The delayed release tablet of 20 mg is available as an over-the-counter product; all other f...
This medication is indicated for the gentle, overnight relief from occasional constipation that may occur due to changes in diet, eating patterns, fluid intake, bathroom habits or disorders and medications. The pharmaceutical c...
Canesten is the Canadian brand name for the drug clotrimazole. The drug is also available in the United States and Mexico under several other brand names. Clotrimazole treats a variety of fungal infections, including athlete's ...
A decongestant relieves symptoms of headache, sneezing and sinus pressure.
Sinutab is a non-drowsy formula made for adults and children over 12 years of age and is designed to reduce cold and allergy symptoms. Sinutab doesn...
It is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Schering-Plough and is known by the generic name of polyethylene glycol 3350. Miralax is available over-the-counter and has become a widely used medication for treating constipat...
Air sickness occurs when your brain cannot make a connection between what you are seeing and what your ears are feeling, notes Andrew Wright, author of "200 Overseas Travelling Tips." The most common symptoms of air sickness ar...
Various medications are used to treat dizziness, vertigo and concurrent nausea. These drugs come in tablets, capsules, skin patches and liquid form and may also be given sublingually or by injection. Always consult with your do...
A ligament is a band of elastic tissue that connects bones and secures joints. When you tear a ligament, medically, this is a sprain. MayoClinic.com reports that sprained ankles are common and easy injuries to sustain. Rolling ...
Toe infections typically cause pain, redness, warmth and swelling and may result from a cut, injury, ingrown toenail or other problem. The swelling may be severe enough to interfere with walking and daily functioning. Depending...
A headache is considered pain in any area of your head. You may experience a dull headache or a sharp pain. Your headache may be localized to one area of your head or may spread across the entire region. Most headaches are not ...
The FDA first approved Claritin for prescription use in 1993 and subsequently approved it for over-the-counter use in 2002. Claritin is available in tablet, orally dissolving tablet, capsule, oral solution and syrup formulation...
Doxylamine is sold over-the-counter in the U.S. as a sleep aid, in generic form as well as under the brand name Unisom. It is actually an antihistamine medication, also used to provide relief from cold and allergy symptoms and ...
Although tension headaches are not usually a sign of a serious illness, they can be painful. People often turn to over-the-counter medications to relieve this pain.
Coughs are one of the most common symptoms of the common cold, which is a viral disease. Since it is caused by a virus, antibiotics aren't effective against the common cold. Over-the-counter cough medications, such as decongest...
Preventing medication errors includes using the five rights of medication administration. The five rights focus on the right drug, the right patient, the right dose, the right route and the right time regardless of whether the ...
A restful sleep is important to good mental and physical health, according to the National Sleep Foundation. But with stress, changes to daily activities or aging sleep patterns are disrupted. Taking longer to fall asleep or in...
Most people will experience insomnia at one point or another. Missing a night of sleep once in a while is not fatal; however, chronic insomnia can be disruptive and may lead to other health problems. For those with insomnia, it...
Patients who experience persistent cough symptoms may find relief through the use of an over-the-counter medication called Mucinex. Mucinex contains guaifenesin, an active ingredient that helps clear chest congestion by making ...
Severe cases of eczema are treated with prescribed steroid creams after consulting with a doctor. Mild cases of eczema can be preventing, treated and maintained with the use of nonprescription medications. Do not use any medica...
For many people with sweaty hands, social interaction can be downright debilitating because actions such as shaking hands can become a source of embarrassment. According to Cedars-Sinai Medical Institute, the medical term for e...
Underarm skin can darken over time for numerous reasons, including medical conditions and irritation from antiperspirants, shaving, depilatory creams and constrictive clothing. Fortunately, there are also products designed to a...
In some cases, two separate medications are combined in a tablet to treat multiple symptoms caused by one disorder. Guaifenex PSE 80 Mg is a combination tablet that can be used to relieve certain respiratory symptoms.
The cause of rosacea still isn't understood, but there are many prescription topical and oral medications dermatologists prescribe for their patients to treat rosacea symptoms. Most of these tend to be quite expensive, but fort...
Allergies cause reactions in the body such as itchy eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing, hives and the swelling of the lips. Allergies can be treated with different over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, antihistamin...
In every situation, the sinus cavity becomes swollen and produces an excessive amount of mucus, leading to nasal congestion, discharge and sinus pressure pain. Over-the-counter, or OTC, medications are used to treat the symptom...
Patients with mild allergies or acute symptoms that come and go with the seasons may not need prescription allergy medicines. Among the wide array of over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medications on the market, people with moderat...
Over-the-counter sleep aids are some of the most common medications found at pharmacies and grocery stores. They are regulated by active pharmaceutical ingredients and differ from natural and herbal sleep aids. The most common ...
An estimated 20% of people with chronic sleep problems such as insomnia use over-the-counter drugs to help with their symptoms, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. However, these medications do not have a prove...
The most effective form of childproofing a home is direct supervision--there is no substitute. However, this is not always a practical way to protect your children. The home is a big place, especially to small children, and the...
The drugs and herbs in over-the-counter sleep aids are safe and may provide short-term relief, but most sleep experts recommend seeing a medical provider if sleeping troubles occur three or more nights a week for a month. Chron...
Anti-inflammatory medications are commonly taken to treat conditions caused by inflammation such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendonitis, bursitis, gout, fever or menstrual cramps. These medications reduce chemical sig...
Over-the-counter medications can provide relief from occasional and frequent heartburn. These medicines include fast-acting products that eliminate heartburn immediately, and medications that offer long-lasting protection from ...
Hemorrhoids are varicose veins that occur in the rectum. When the varicose veins develop, the tissues bulge outside of the body. This can be very painful or cause bleeding and itching. Over-the-counter treatment is usually safe...
The sinuses are four small cavities located on the head that connect to the nose. The sinuses, which are usually filled with air, drain a thin mucous that is expelled from the nose. Deep sinus blockage and congestion occur beca...
Many people have problems sleeping because of stress, diet, environment or other factors. These people may consult a doctor and be prescribed sleeping pills. Sleeping pills are a commonly used medication that can be dangerous i...
Sinus congestion, also known as sinusitis, occurs when the spaces behind the nose, eyes, cheeks and forehead become inflamed due to an infection by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Congestion may also be a result of allergies. This ...
When prepared as a tincture, the properties of benzoin transfer to an alcohol base, resulting in a medicinal liquid. Tincture of benzoin is available in health food stores, online and in some grocery stores. Consult your doctor...
Red or irritated eyes can result from a number of causes and conditions, including foreign objects, infections, colds, allergies, corneal scratches and many others, according to the National Institutes of Health. If you are uns...
This treatment often included prescriptions for hypnotic medications like barbiturate and benzodiazepine drugs. Because these drugs often cause adverse reactions, many of them remain unapproved for use in a pediatric population...
There are innumerable parasites that can infect and live in your body. These include bacteria, viruses and worms. If left untreated, parasites can consume the nutrients from the food you eat and produce toxic waste products, wh...
Borneman and Sons, Inc., to establish a presence in the United States. The company prepares remedies according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, or HCPUS, standards set by the Food and Drug Administration. ...
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, results from an inflammation of the conjunctiva. A pink eye infection occurs from an allergic substance or as a result of a viral or bacterial infection. Pink eye spreads easily through day-to-day c...
Constant headaches can be triggered by a variety of reasons. Sometimes it's easy to find the reason by making lifestyle changes; other times, the reasons may be difficult to uncover. It may take lots of trial and error before d...
Zolpidem (Ambien) belongs to a class of drugs known as sedative hypnotics and works to treat short-term insomnia. Ambien works by slowing activity in the brain to allow users to sleep. While Zolpidem has shown great effectivene...
Asthma is often a lifelong condition with no cure. Although prescription medications are advocated by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, or AAFA, as a safe and effective form of asthma treatment, there are over-the-c...
Because of the many issues involved, few drugs contain only natural ingredients. A 2009 report in "Sleep Medicine" suggests that people often use over-the-counter sleep aids. Pharmaceutical companies, therefore, have become int...
Yet a 2008 review in "Prescrire International" encourages people to avoid prescription sleeping pills. These drugs may enhance sleep quality, but they also cause side effects. A 2009 report in "Sleep Medicine" suggests that man...
Given these findings, it's not surprising that the 2008 edition of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) "The 50 Most Prescribed Drugs" included several sleep-enhancing medications. These five drugs can be classifi...
Getting a good night's sleep is important to life quality and public safety. According to a 2010 review in the "Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine," sleep disturbances are associated with poor health. A 2010 survey in the same ...
Neti pots are a popular way to ease congestion without using over-the-counter cold medications. St. Vincent's Hospital in Australia studied neti pots and found them to be a viable way to irrigate the nasal passages. Use a neti ...
Yet its main target are hypothalamic structures deep in the brain. The pineal gland and the suprachiasmatic nucleus form a circuit which regulates bodily rhythms. Foremost among these rhythms is the sleep-wake schedule. Three n...
Sivertsen and associates (2009) published in the "Journal of Psychosomatic Research," insomnia affects about 13 percent of the population. A survey by M. Lee and colleagues (2009) presented in the "Journal of Nutrition, Health ...
Some symptoms of insomnia include tension headaches, daytime fatigue, depression, gastrointestinal problems and depression. Other insomnia symptoms include awakening during the night and worrying about sleep. Fortunately, medic...
The primary purpose of the nose is to process air before it reaches the lungs, states the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO). The nose is responsible for filtering, humidifying and warming inhaled air. Without proper care...
It works by killing bacteria and inhibiting further growth, says Drugs.com. Bacitracin can be found as an ingredient in over-the-counter first aid medications and as the active ingredient in an injection called Baciim. It is al...
Congestion is an annoyance for adults--who may experience sleeping problems and/or develop bronchitis due to mucus collecting in the lungs--but the condition can be dangerous to newborn infants who must use the nose to breathe ...
Nasal congestion can be the source of headaches during cold, flu and allergy seasons and interfere with sleep and general well-being. Over-the-counter medications may work temporarily but may produce drowsiness or have side eff...
Tussin DM is a widely available, over-the-counter medication for the treatment of coughs that may result from allergies or a respiratory infection. This type of medication works to both suppress the urge to cough and to loosen ...
Symptoms of external hemorrhoids include pain, itching and rectal bleeding. Risk factors for developing this condition include anything that places extra pressure on the area, such as straining during a bowel movement, pregnanc...
Some people have trouble falling asleep while others have problems staying asleep. Counting aloud, wearing sleep shades or closing all the lights are some techniques attempted to get more sleep. Sometimes, these techniques do n...
Although cities don't require sleep, people do. For some people, however, it's not easy to get a good night's sleep. This might be due to underlying medical problems or the result of taking certain medications. Fortunately, the...
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, 10 out of every 100 Americans will suffer an ulcer in their lifetime. Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications are available to relieve your pain and assist the healing pro...
A charley horse is most likely to occur when a muscle is overused, injured or dehydrated, but they also develop during sleep. Treatment focuses on relaxing the muscle, reducing discomfort and determining the underlying cause of...
This can be a result of allergies or infections, such as the common cold. Deep sinus congestion can cause sinus headaches (which center to the front of the head and temples) and can also make it impossible to breathe through yo...
Everyone has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep from time to time. Medical conditions, some medications (both over-the-counter and prescription) and stress can all hinder your ability to get a good night's sleep. Having a...
Many of these individuals may turn to their local drugstore to seek an over-the-counter medication that can provide relief from their migraine pain. Three over-the-counter medications have been approved by the FDA specifically ...
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used in several over-the-counter medications as well as prescription solutions. The purpose of PEG is to bring water into the lower intestine to increase the softness of the stools. The reasons for ...
Sinus congestion is generally caused by an inflammation of the nasal cavities that can cause mucus to buildup in the the nasal and sinus passages. It's often accompanied by a thick discharge from the nose, sneezing, difficulty...
It seems to go into remission and then gets worse for no apparent reason. The patchy, dry, red areas of skin can range from mildly irritating to debilitating. A variety of over-the-counter, or OTC, medications are available for...
Gout, a painful form of arthritis previously one of the diseases of the wealthy and the royals, has become widespread due to current eating habits that include a diet high in animal fats and animal flesh. Often the first sympto...
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are medications that reduce inflammation, pain and swelling. Several anti-inflammatory medications are available over the counter, without a doctor's prescription.
According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, tinea pedis, or athlete's foot, is the most common type of fungal infection. Although some forms of tinea, namely tinea unguium, tinea capitis and chronic tinea pedi...
However, it is most effective as a sedative as it has stronger sedative properties than other over-the-counter medications and, according to DrugBank, is more powerful than many prescription strength hypnotic sedatives. It can ...
Unfortunately, MAOIs interact with a large number of foods, especially fermented or aged foods like wine, tofu and soy sauce, many cheeses, pickles and sauerkraut, as well as with many over-the-counter medications. However, f...
The remains of the food then pass into the rectum as feces and are excreted from the body through the anus. Constipation is a condition where stools are hard, dry and difficult to pass from the body. Over-the-counter medication...
Anyone suffering from insomnia understandably may be tempted to turn to sleep aids. They can be helpful in the short term, but sleep aids should be used sparingly and only as needed.
This pain occurs when the woman's body releases an egg (ovulation) approximately two weeks before the start of her menstrual period. Mittelschmerz is usually not severe, and the pain typically goes away within a day or so. To t...
Acetylsalicylic acid comes from boiling the salicylic acid out of the bark of a willow tree and combining it with acetic anhydride. The second ingredient is acetaminophen, the substance that is the basis for over the counter me...
