UK Online Chemists Blog

Pain is such a pain!

In today’s society there’s little time available to look after ourselves. So when pain strikes, whether it’s a simple headache or a more complex problem like sciatica, it can really get in the way.

So what is pain? A simple Google search throws up an answer from good old Wikipedia: “Pain is an unpleasant sensation often caused by intense or damaging stimuli”. It’s important to also note that pain isn’t just disagreeable. It’s also an important survival mechanism because, as Wikipedia tells us: “It motivates withdrawal from damaging or potentially damaging situations, protection of a damaged body part while it heals, and avoidance of similar experiences in the future”. So, while we may not like pain, it’s definitely something that shouldn’t be ignored. But there are remedies that can relieve the symptoms.

The best treatment for pain really depends on the type of discomfort experienced. Headaches are exceptionally common and can easily be relieved using a form of pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. ‘Pain killers’ (as they’re commonly known) come in many forms and varying prices. For example, here at Axis Medicare we stock branded products such as Nurofen and Anadin, but also generic paracetamol which is considerably cheaper but just as effective.

Another common but unpleasant condition that warrants pain relief is a cold or flu. The types of pain involved with these illnesses include headache, achy body, sore throat and sinus pain. These symptoms require their own treatments which combine the pain relieving properties of paracetamol with other active ingredients specifically designed to combat the symptoms of a cold or flu. Again, the range available varies dramatically in price, from branded products like Lemsip and Beechams, to the cheaper, unbranded remedies.

Less common and even more distressing is chronic pain. This comes in many forms such as arthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatism, back pain, lower back pain and sciatica. If you suffer with this type of pain it’s likely that your doctor will be prescribing medication to try and manage it. There are other forms of pain relief that sufferers of chronic pain can try. Pain management tools like Medicur or Pain Free work buy passing mild electro-magnetic emissions through the painful area. This drug-free remedy can be very effective in the treatment of chronic pain.

Remember, pain is not something to be ignored, and if you’re at all worried you should always talk to your GP.

How to treat a cold

I’ve said it before but it bears repeating: you CAN’T cure a cold or flu. Once you’ve got a cold it doesn’t matter whether you take antibiotics or your Granny’s questionable home remedy, nothing will cure it. However, there are products you can take that will treat the symptoms, making your illness more bearable and allowing you to get on with your day to day life.

Before we look at the medicines available let’s look at the unpleasant symptoms that you may experience with a cold or flu. With one of these viruses you can pretty much guarantee a blocked nose, sore throat and a cough. You may also experience a headache and feel achy all over.

So what can you take for these symptoms? Well firstly there’s a range of products on the market that specifically designed as a remedy for a cold or flu. These medicines contain paracetamol and other active ingredients that help to relieve the aches and pains associated with a cold or flu. They can also help to ease congestion and some contain caffeine to give you a boost when a cold leaves you feeling lethargic.

When it comes to a cough many people would agree that this is the most annoying part of a cold. Whether it’s dry and tickly or chesty, a cough can leave you feeling even more exhausted. Thankfully there are products that can alleviate a cough. For example, Benylin Chesty Cough actively helps loosen phlegm, allowing it to be coughed up more easily as well as soothing the cough with the mild cooling effect of the menthol in the syrup.

If you’ve got a sore throat then ideally you should be looking for a medicated throat lozenge, rather than just a ‘throat sweet’. Our Strepsils Lozenges contain a combination of two antiseptics to fight the infections that can cause sore throats as well as easing the discomfort you can experience.

The good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune on these remedies for a cold or flu. Here at Axis Medicare we offer up to 85% off high street prices and with cold and flu remedies starting from just 52p we have a range to suit everyone.

Prevention is better than a cure

Let’s get one thing straight before we start. You can’t cure a cold or flu. So before you overdose on vitamin C, just remember that if you already have a cold or flu no amount of vitamins or antibiotics will get rid of it. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood that you will get ill in the first place and the healthier you are the better equipped your body will be to deal with the illness and get you feeling better, faster. This is one situation where prevention is definitely better than a cure.

OK, so you know you need to be healthy. But what does that actually mean? Well firstly, to make sure your body is functioning at an optimum level you need to make sure that you eat a healthy, balanced diet. This will make sure you get all the nutrients you need. Regular exercise will also keep you in tip top condition. You don’t have to be a devoted gym-addict, simply walking regularly or running around at the park with the kids can help. Finally, sleep is key. If you’re well rested then your body will be in the best possible shape to fight off infections.

If you want to give your immune system a helping hand then taking regular vitamin supplements can help. Studies have shown that a daily dose of vitamin C can reduce how long a cold lasts and how severe it is. There is also evidence to suggest that zinc lozenges can have a similar effect.

With today’s busy lifestyle it can be hard to remember to take a variety of vitamins so that’s why here at Axis Medicare we love Centrum Advance. It’s a multivitamin supplement that could not only boost your immune system but also increase energy levels and help to maintain healthy-looking hair and skin.

In our next post we’ll be looking at what you can do lessen the symptoms of a cold or flu, such as taking cold and flu remedies as well as using vapour rub and cough medicines.

It’s a life changing moment for any woman. Whether you find yourself waiting in impatient hope or concerned anticipation, the result of a pregnancy test can have a profound impact on your life, whether that little line appears or not. But with so many pregnancy tests available how do you know which one to choose?

Firstly, the technical bit. Pregnancy tests work by testing urine for the presence of a chemical called human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). This chemical is only present in the urine of a pregnant woman because it’s produced by trophoblast cells in the fertilised egg.

The only problem with this system is that the hCG can’t be detected until after implantation. The saying “there’s no such thing as a false positive” is very true because to get a positive result hCG must be present, which will only occur in pregnant women. However, a false negative is entirely possible (and quite common) because women often test too early.

So, now we know how they work, how do we decide which is the best pregnancy test?

The first thing to point out is that in the world of pregnancy tests a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean higher quality. The key here is sensitivity. The more sensitive the test, the earlier it will give an accurate positive result. Plus, tests that claim you can test up to 6 days early don’t actually give the whole picture because the earlier you test the less likely you are to receive an accurate result.

Secondly, you really want a pregnancy test that’s easy to read. There are a lot of “internet cheapies” (as the TTC ladies call them) available on sites like ebay, but they can be hard to read and leave you guessing as to whether there is a line. There is nothing more frustrating than squinting at a test in various lights trying to decide whether the line you *think* you can see really is a line!

Here at Axis Medicare we love Early Bird Pregnancy Tests. They have a sensitivity level of 25mIU, are over 99% accurate from the day your period is due and the easy to read window will leave you in no doubt concerning the result. Plus, they are available in packs with a single test, two tests (so you can double check your result) or a value pack of 20 tests for just £19.99 for women who are trying to conceive and may need to test regularly.

In our next post we will look at what to do once you receive a positive result and how to look after yourself (and your baby-to-be!).