Acute Pain
Acute pain is sudden-onset pain with a recognisable cause, a sprained ankle, a post-surgical wound, a toothache, or a bad headache. Unlike chronic pain, it is time-limited: it fades as the body heals, usually within days to a few weeks.
Medicine used to treat Acute Pain
Managing the discomfort
Most acute pain responds well to anti-inflammatory analgesics that block the prostaglandins driving pain and swelling. Mefenamic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory commonly used for mild to moderate acute pain, including menstrual pain and dental pain. Broader options for this class sit within pain management.
Rest, ice or heat depending on the injury type, and keeping the affected area elevated where practical all support recovery alongside any medicine.
Seek prompt medical attention if pain is severe and unexplained, follows a head injury, accompanies chest tightness, or does not improve within the expected window for the underlying cause.