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What’s that pain?

Because not all pain is the same.
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When it comes to aches and pains, they’re not all the same. The way we feel pain can vary depending on the cause. Temporary pain such as headache or period pain for example, is different from acute pain due to injury, or chronic pain caused by long-standing conditions that can last for weeks, even years. Here we shed some light on how pain works, how to spot the culprit and how to help find relief.

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1. It’s all in your head (no, really!)

If you’ve taken a tumble and twisted your knee, for example, your brain interprets pain but doesn’t actually feel it. Nerve fibres send a signal to your brain, which recognises the sensation as ‘pain’ according to Dr Josie Znidarsic from the Cleveland Centre for Integrative Medicine.

2. Which headache is which?

A temporary headache can usually be identified by what’s probably brought it on, such as tension, stress, eyestrain, sinus or overindulgence (aka a hangover).  In many cases you can find relief quickly with an over the counter painkiller like Nurofen Zavance. Of course, if the pain persists see your doctor.

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3.You really can have a high or low pain tolerance

Everyone feels pain differently, and many factors can play a part in this, including structural and chemical changes in your brain, inflammation levels in your body and beliefs about pain. This is why some people really can take higher pain levels than others.

Headache
(Credit: Getty Images)

4. Your lunch can affect your pain threshold

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Inflammation – the redness and swelling that in small doses helps your body heal – is a major cause of chronic pain. And lifestyle choices can fan the flames. Processed foods, fried foods and too much alcohol can all case chronic pain to flare up. Instead, try healthy fats, lean proteins and fresh produce, which are loaded with anti-inflammatory phytonutrients.

5. For fast relief, fast absorption is key

Due to its unique formula within the Nurofen range, Nurofen Zavance tablets and caplets are absorbed up to twice as fast as standard Nurofen, for fast and effective relief when needed. Its formulation contains an ibuprofen salt, which allows for faster absorption.

Always read the label. Use only as directed, incorrect use could be harmful. Consult your healthcare professional if symptoms persist. Nurofen Zavance active ingredients: Sodium ibuprofen dihydrate 256mg (equiv. ibuprofen 200mg)

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