2017 HCHB_digital

CONTINUING OTC EDUCATION
• symptoms such as fever, high blood pressure, muscle aches, weight loss, or
scalp tenderness (may suggest a whole body disorder)
• seizures, confusion, slurred speech, memory loss, loss of balance, changes in
consciousness or difficulty waking.
Common types of headache
Migraine
A migraine typically occurs just on one side of the head, with the pain usually
starting as a dull throb or tightening which then intensifies into a concentrated
and severe pain (see Migraine for more information).
Tension headache
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Described as a mild,
aching pain that occurs on both sides of the head, the back of the head, or as a
tight band across the forehead, this headache tends to worsen as the day goes
on, or if the person is stressed. Avoiding eye strain or bad posture and using
relaxation techniques or massage to manage stress may help reduce the number
of tension headaches. Lying down in a warm, darkened, quiet room may also
help. Most tension headaches respond to OTC pain relief.
Sinusitis
Blocked nasal passages can lead to sinusitis, where mucus is unable to drain
causing pressure build-up and pain. Sinusitis is usually associated with a cold
(see Colds), and often causes a frontal headache or aching teeth. Bending,
coughing, or sneezing can make the headache worse. Decongestants and pain
relief may relieve the symptoms but antibiotics may be needed if the cause is due
to a bacterial infection.
Rebound headaches
Rebound headaches (medication-overuse headaches) are caused by taking
pain-relieving medicines too frequently for headaches. They are the third most
common cause of headache after migraine and tension-type headaches.
Avoidance of pain-relief tablets for a period of time is necessary to revert the
headaches back to a normal pattern. Non-medicine-related, self-help measures
(see advice for customers) may help during this period of pain-relief avoidance.
Refer to
PHARMACIST
Seek urgent medical advice for anybody with warning signs (see
text).
The following questions aim to identify customers who would
benefit from further input from a pharmacist. Your initial assessment
may have already provided some answers. Decide if any further
questions still need to be asked and refer any “yes” answers to a
pharmacist.
• Does the person have any other health conditions (eg, heart or
lung problems, immunosuppression, diabetes, is pregnant or
breastfeeding)?
• Does the person take any other medication, either prescribed by a
doctor or bought from a shop or supermarket (including herbal/
complementary medications)?
• Have the symptoms persisted despite treatment with adequate
doses of analgesics or lasted longer than 24 hours?
• Is the person a child under 12?
• Is the person elderly with a recurring headache originating from
the temples (may be temporal arteritis)?
• Does the person have a fever, rash or a stiff or sore neck (see
Childhood Diseases and Immunisation: Meningococcal
disease).
• Are there any other symptoms (eg, nausea, visual disturbances)?
• Does the person have frequent headaches (more than one a
month) and/or is buying a lot of analgesics?
• Does the person have any allergies to medicines?
Advice for customers
• Identify and avoid factors that trigger the headache if possible.
• Rest in a quiet, darkened room. Reusable heat pads may provide relief.
• Be careful not to overuse pain-relief medicines.
• Drink plenty of water, maintain regular exercise and a healthy diet.
• Try muscle relaxation exercises, or spend at least half an hour each day relaxing
(eg, listening to music, reading).
• Track your headaches.
»»
Keep a diary of when headaches occur to help identify their cause.
THINK PARACETAMOL TABLETS ARE ALL THE SAME?
PANADOL WITH
OPTIZORB®
STANDARD
PARACETAMOL
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