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Most over-the-counter painkillers can be deadly
Over-the-counter painkillers are found today in most household pharmacies. They are often used relatively unconsciously against various forms of pain such as headaches, back pain, menstrual pain or toothache. However, a longer-term intake can bring about significant side effects, which is why caution is urgently needed.
Over-the-counter pain relievers should be taken for a maximum of three consecutive days and not more than ten times a month, remind medical professionals. Because it threatens severe side effects such as gastritis, kidney damage or even an increased risk of heart attack. Prolonged pain is therefore urgently needed in medical treatment and should not be self-medication with over-the-counter painkillers.
Many Germans take over-the-counter over-the-counter painkillers and expose themselves to considerable risks. (Image: denisismagilov / fotolia.com) Rising sales of painkillers
Painkillers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or diclofenac can be found in almost every household today. Its sales have risen again slightly in the past year, reports the news agency "dpa", citing the market research company IMS Health. Accordingly, in 2015, just under 162 million packs of analgesics (medical term for the painkillers) sold in pharmacies, which is about 2.4 percent more compared to the previous year. Much of the sold painkiller packs was purchased without a prescription, according to "dpa".
Pain is an important warning sign
Although the analgesics in acute pain can help at short notice, but they only serve to alleviate the symptoms, the cause of the complaints remains unaffected as a rule. This can be very different in nature and in the worst case can be traced back to a serious illness. The pain is perceived via so-called nociceptors on the skin and in the organs. These receptors react to certain chemical substances, high pressure, but also to heat and cold, reports the "dpa". It sends an impulse to the nearest nerve cell, which is transmitted via the nerve fibers into the spinal cord and finally into the brain, whereby the pain is consciously perceived.
Acute and chronic pain
The causes of pain can be extremely diverse, with a distinction being made between acute and chronic pain. "Chronic refers to those pain that have been occurring regularly for at least three months and that physically, mentally-cognitively and socially impair the affected patients," Julia Richter of the German Pharmaceutical Industry Association (BPI) is quoted by the "dpa". The pain can take on an independent complaint or even go back to serious diseases.
Painkillers in acute pain
For example, acute pain includes migraine or toothache. Here, over-the-counter painkillers - temporarily and in moderation - can often help. "There is nothing wrong with having an otherwise healthy patient swallow a painkiller on his or her own for short-term pain," says Peter Walger, senior physician for internal intensive care and infectious diseases at the Protestant Clinics in Bonn, in the dpa release:
Maximum three days application
However, the painkillers should in no case "be taken in self-medication for more than three days in a row," warns Julia Richter told the news agency. For chronic pain, it is essential to seek medical help to determine the cause of the condition. According to the expert, it is important to have a holistic diagnosis in which, in addition to a physical examination, mental and social factors are also included.
Gastritis and stomach bleeding
With regard to the side effects, it should be noted that certain analgesics can trigger a gastritis immediately and the risk of gastric bleeding increases dramatically if taken uncontrolled. At worst, these can be life-threatening. As an indication of a gastric haemorrhage to call the experts in the communication of the "dpa", for example, blood in the stool or the vomiting of blood. Also, the stomach bleeding in prolonged existence is a possible cause of iron deficiency and chronic anemia.
Other side effects of the painkillers
However, as a side effect of the uncontrolled use of painkillers, the risk of kidney damage should also be mentioned. Furthermore, "in the case of previous illnesses, the risk of suffering a stroke or myocardial infarction increases," said Walger to the "dpa": Also should be taken when taking other medicines on possible interactions. For example, when taking antihypertensive agents, consult with a physician and in such cases the blood pressure medication may need to be adjusted. Not least, according to the experts to be concerned that the preparation does not necessarily develop the desired effect. For example, anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or ASA do not work in tension headaches or back pain.
Many risks have been insufficiently researched so far
Overall, the risks of analgesics should not be underestimated, especially since recent studies have also provided evidence for a link between the intake of paracetamol in pregnancy with ADHD and autism in children. In addition, our sympathy is apparently weakened by the intake of acetaminophen. The effects are therefore extremely complex and still not fully understood. The relatively ingenuous use of over-the-counter painkillers is therefore extremely critical. (Fp)