When you go to your local grocery store, you'll always find a large selection of pain relievers. These medications — also called analgesics — help control pain by interfering with the way pain messages are developed, transmitted, or interpreted.

Over-the-counter pain medications can be effective at relieving many types of mild to moderate pain. Some pain medications will also reduce the swelling and redness of inflammation.

• Oral pain relievers. These medications are most effective for mild to moderate pain that's accompanied by swelling and inflammation, such as arthritis, sprains, and strains. However, these types of medications can have serious side effects, including nausea, stomach pain, or even stomach bleeding and ulcers. Large doses can also lead to kidney problems and high blood pressure. These risks are higher for older people, especially those over 75.

• Topical pain relievers. Topical analgesics are creams, gels, sprays, and patches that are applied to the skin at the area where you feel pain — such as on painful joints or strained muscles. Topical pain relievers can help reduce mild to moderate pain without serious side effects — in part because they are applied locally instead of being circulated through the body. They are often recommended for older people who have a greater risk of side effects from oral pain relievers.

• Applying heat and cold

Sometimes relief can be a frozen bag of peas or a hot bath. This is because applying heat and cold can frequently help ease joint pain, back strains, neck pain, and other types of pain.