Latest news with #OTCmedicines
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
10 natural headache remedies to help you ease the pain, according to doctors
Every single day, nearly 16% of the entire world's population has a headache, which is to say, headaches are a pretty big issue. While yes, there's a 96% chance your headache is totally benign (i.e., not a big deal), headaches still hurt and definitely get in the way of daily functioning. And you deserve relief. To help, most people turn to over-the-counter (OTC) medicines like aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and drugs that contain caffeine. And to be fair, when these headache meds work, they may be the only treatment you need, according to the American Migraine Foundation. The problem? They don't always work. Plus, using OTC headache medicine daily or near-daily can interfere with parts of your brain that control the flow of pain messages to the nervous system, resulting in even more headaches. Enter: all-natural headache remedies. Experts note that simple activities like drinking more water, engaging in moderate aerobic exercise and doing some light yoga stretches can be effective drug-free headache remedies. But that's not all. Here, we consulted leading health care pros to share the best natural headache remedies. Before we dive in, though, know that if your headache is sudden and severe or paired with a high fever, confusion, stiff neck, prolonged vomiting, slurred speech or numbness or weakness, that's an emergency. Get to the doc, fast. A note on supplements Some of the products included on this list are dietary supplements. Such supplements are regulated far less stringently by the FDA than medications, with little evaluation of safety or effectiveness before they go to market. Supplements may also interact with other medications and aren't appropriate for all populations or health conditions. While our health writers personally select and test products that are evidence-based, it's important to talk to your health care provider before adding a dietary supplement to your routine. Those pesky headaches we all experience from time to time originate from blood vessels and nerves in our brains that become overactive, irritated or inflamed thanks to an infection, trauma, high blood pressure, tension — or even just a poor night's sleep, says Kuruvilla. And the best way to remedy your specific headache is to zero in on the cause. That's where a visit to your primary care provider or neurologist can help. Even if you are all-in with natural headache remedies, trying them under the guidance of a medical professional is the way to go. After all, "while natural headache remedies can help, they don't replace medical care when it's needed," says Darji. Deena Kuruvilla, MD, a board-certified neurologist and medical director at the Brain Health Institute in Westport, Conn. Uma Darji, MD, a family medicine physician in Raleigh, N.C. Chantel Strachan, MD, a primary care physician and assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
Fast Company
18-06-2025
- Health
- Fast Company
The role of consumer health in expanding access to care
Healthcare is evolving. Once confined to clinics and in-office appointments—healthcare is now in our homes, routines, and daily choices. The shift towards accessible healthcare solutions, like over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, is empowering people to manage their health proactively. With 81% of adults using OTC medicines for minor ailments, this societal change saves physicians many hours each year, reducing the strain on healthcare systems. Despite increasing consumer interest in self-care, critical health categories like pain management, skin cancer, and more remain undertreated, underdiagnosed, and underpenetrated. The self-care revolution Consumers are increasingly investing in their health. In the U.S. alone, a staggering 82% of consumers consider health and wellness a leading priority in their lives, contributing to a $480 billion market. This clear sign shows that more people are actively taking charge of their well-being today to build a healthier future. Yet, accessibility gaps persist. Science and innovation must bridge this gap—not just through new formulations, but through better awareness, education, and application methods. Consumer-focused companies like ours are working to address this. The power of innovation Despite skin cancer diagnoses outnumbering all other cancers in the U.S., only 13.5% of adults wear sunscreen daily. Our research found that 99% of healthcare providers believe better application and aesthetics would boost sunscreen use. In response, our R&D teams at Neutrogena developed a new mineral formula that overcame these top consumer barriers with more UVA protection and less whitening compared to competitors, all while providing a lightweight, invisible finish. Our goal is to improve consumers' willingness to wear sunscreen regularly, protecting their skin and health. While new innovations create a solution to the problem, education is what empowers consumers to pick it up in the aisle. For example, research shows a need for wider education about sun care in schools, so Neutrogena teamed up with Walgreens and the Melanoma Research Foundation to teach students and families the importance of sunscreen use. Programs like this help people understand how to practice preventative care, and its benefits as one of the most powerful tools in reducing health inequities. Where do we go from here? Consumer health companies can make a difference—whether through smarter skincare solutions, new pain relief technologies, or improved application methods. Here are three ways to do that. 1. Accessibility must be a priority, not an afterthought Despite advancements in OTC medicine, inaccessibility remains widespread. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 2 billion people lack reliable access to essential medications, such as acetaminophen in the pain care category. Beyond availability, consumers are also facing unique barriers based on their needs or stage of life. Despite many pain relief options being in pill form, people are often averse to swallowing pills for a variety of reasons ranging from general dislike to fear of choking. To make pain care accessible to more people, this unique need must be front and center in product development. Our Tylenol teams used this information and philosophy to develop products for several life stages, adding powder packs to make it easier for children to swallow, and a topical pain relief formation for those with skin discomfort Accessibility drove the creation to ensure that more people could get the relief they needed in a way that worked for them. 2. Sustainability is front and center Consumers today want products that not only enhance personal health but also minimize environmental impact. The future of consumer health is one where science works smarter, faster, and more sustainably, ensuring the well-being of people and the planet. As part of Kenvue's approach, we developed an internal assessment tool, the Sustainable Innovation Profiler, which helps our product developers select more sustainable ingredients, packaging, and product formats. Integrating this capability into our innovation process should help us meet the rising expectations of consumers, retailers, and regulators, while building a more resilient and sustainable future and driving brand growth. 3. Collaboration is key to expanding everyday care No single company can solve the accessibility crisis alone. Partnerships between brands, healthcare providers, retailers, and policymakers are essential for meaningful impact. We do this by partnering with dermatologists, pediatricians, and public health organizations to identify care gaps and address misinformation. By meeting consumers wherever they are—aisles, pharmacies, doctor's offices, or online—we empower them to take charge of their health.
