Inquiring About Pain Relief
A customer has a headache or muscle pain and needs advice on which type of over-the-counter painkiller (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen) would be best for their specific discomfort, including dosage and potential side effects.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
headache
A pain in your head, often caused by stress or illness. Use it to describe head discomfort, like 'I have a bad headache.'
muscle pain
Discomfort or soreness in your muscles, usually from exercise or injury. Say 'I have muscle pain in my back' to explain the problem.
over-the-counter
Medicines you can buy without a doctor's prescription. It's useful in pharmacies: 'Do you have over-the-counter painkillers?'
ibuprofen
A common painkiller that reduces inflammation and pain. Pronounce it 'eye-byoo-pro-fen' and use it when asking for anti-inflammatory meds.
acetaminophen
A pain reliever for headaches and fever, also known as paracetamol. Use it in conversations about safe stomach-friendly options.
side effects
Unwanted reactions from taking medicine, like nausea. Always ask about them: 'What are the side effects of this drug?'
dosage
The amount of medicine to take and how often. Important for safety: 'What's the recommended dosage?'
contraindications
Conditions or situations where a medicine should not be used, like allergies. Use it formally: 'Are there any contraindications for this?'
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, I'm having a really bad headache and some muscle pain in my neck. Can you recommend something over-the-counter?
This polite opening asks for help and describes symptoms clearly. Use it to start a conversation in a pharmacy; it shows how to combine symptoms with a request using 'Can you recommend...?' for practical advice-seeking.
For headaches and muscle pain, we usually recommend either ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Have you taken anything recently?
This suggests options and asks for more info. Useful for giving or receiving recommendations; 'either...or' structure compares choices, and the question gathers history to ensure safety.
What's the main difference between them? And are there any side effects I should be aware of?
This seeks clarification on differences and risks. Great for comparisons using 'What's the main difference?'; the 'and' connects questions, helping learners ask about pros and cons politely.
Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory, good for both pain and swelling. Common side effects can include stomach upset.
This explains a drug's benefits and risks. Use 'is...good for' to describe uses; 'can include' shows possible effects, teaching how to inform others about medications in simple terms.
For ibuprofen, a typical adult dose is one to two 200mg tablets every 4 to 6 hours, as needed. Do not exceed 1200mg in 24 hours.
This gives dosage instructions clearly. Helpful for understanding measurements; phrases like 'every...hours' and 'do not exceed' emphasize safety rules, essential for following medical advice.
Good question. Yes, you should avoid ibuprofen if you have a history of stomach ulcers, severe kidney disease, or certain heart conditions.
This responds positively and lists warnings. 'Good question' encourages dialogue; conditional 'if you have...should avoid' teaches how to explain contraindications, useful for health discussions.
You're very welcome. Please read the full instructions on the package before taking it. Feel better soon!
This ends politely with advice. 'You're very welcome' is a standard response; imperative 'Please read...' gives instructions, and 'Feel better soon!' shows empathy, common in service interactions.