Table of contents:
- Medicines to treat sprains
- Apart from taking medication, how do you treat sprains at home?
- 1. Rest the sprained part
- 2. Cold compress with ice
- 3. Use a bandage
- 4. Lift the sore area
- When to go to the doctor
A sprain or sprain is an injury that occurs in the tissue that connects the bones and joints. Sprains most commonly occur in the ankle. However, sprains can also occur in the knees or hands. This condition is generally characterized by pain, swelling, bruising, and decreased ability to move. Check out the various options for sprains or sprains and how to treat them in the following review.
Medicines to treat sprains
Basically, there is no specific medication to treat sprains alone. However, there are several pain relievers that can be used to treat muscle pain that may arise from sprains.
Usually, the drugs used to treat sprains are included in the group non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen and naproxen. Both types of drugs can help relieve pain or soreness, overcome inflammation and swelling that occurs due to sprains.
There are also other pain relievers that can also be used to treat sprains, namely acetaminophen. (paracetamol). As with NSAIDs drugs, acetaminophen can also be used as a pain reliever.
It's just that, in contrast to ibuprofen and naproxen, acetaminophen cannot reduce swelling or inflammation. If you want to use pain relievers for the sprain, follow the directions for use, such as using the correct dosage. You can buy these drugs freely at the nearest pharmacy.
Apart from taking medication, how do you treat sprains at home?
Since sprains can often be treated independently at home, there are other ways you can treat sprains apart from using medication. There are several methods to treat sprains at home:
1. Rest the sprained part
First of all, avoid all activities that have the potential to make muscle pain due to the sprain become worse. If your sprain is getting worse, use assistive devices if necessary.
However, even if you don't take medication to treat sprains and have to rest this part of your body that is sprained, that doesn't mean you shouldn't move it. The reason is, if the muscles are not moved at all for a long time, over time you may experience muscle atrophy.
In fact, if the muscle can still be moved even though it hurts a little, try to keep moving it slowly so that the joints and muscles are not too stiff. Even so, when exercising, don't involve the painful part first.
2. Cold compress with ice
When you have a sprain, instead of using medication, you can also apply ice to the affected area. Do it for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours. Continue to do this routine for 1-2 days.
How to make this compress is not too complicated. You can simply wrap a few ice cubes in a cloth or towel and place it on the sprained area. This ice compress aims to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation in the injured muscle.
In addition, this compress also aims to slow down the bleeding if a tear occurs. However, if the area on the body that was applied to this ice turns white, it is best to stop the compress. The reason is, this indicates the occurrence of frostbite or frost bite . Immediately take it to the doctor if this happens.
3. Use a bandage
If you choose not to take sprained medicine, try bandaging the dislocated area with a bandage. According to the Mayo Clinic, using a bandage during a sprain can help treat the swelling that occurs.
But remember, don't wrap too tightly over the sprained area. The reason is, this can actually inhibit blood circulation that is not good for your health condition.
When bandaging the injured area, don't start with the swelling at first. Then, loosen the elastic bandage if the pain gets worse, if you feel numb, or the injured muscle is getting worse.
4. Lift the sore area
To help relieve swelling, during the first 48 hours of the sprain, lift the affected area so that it is higher than your heart when you lie down.
This is done so that the force of gravity can help reduce the swelling that occurs. For example, if you sprained your ankle, lift it higher than your body position.
When to go to the doctor
Although you can treat sprains with medication or self-care at home, there are some conditions that require you to see your doctor when you have a sprain. For example, if your symptoms are getting worse.
We recommend that you consult a doctor immediately so that you are helped to overcome the sprain that is being experienced. Some of the symptoms that appear below can indicate a fracture or other problem occurs, after you experience a sprain:
- There is a sound of "cracking" or what is known in medicine as crepitus on the part of the sprain.
- Can not move at all the joint or limb that is sprained.
- Numb.
- Injuries do not improve with self-medication. The pain and swelling got worse.
- There is a fever in addition to swelling and pain.
Before determining the right medication or treatment for your condition, your doctor may make a diagnosis first. Diagnosis of the part of the body that is sprained can be made using an X-ray or MRI to make a further diagnosis.
After understanding the severity of the muscle injury or sprain you are experiencing, your doctor may prescribe treatment or medication according to your condition. At a level that is severe enough, your doctor may advise you to undergo surgery that can treat the injury you are experiencing.
