Taking painkillers frequently? Expert highlights alarming health risks

Painkillers also known as analgesics work by targeting various pathways in the body to reduce pain perception The mechanism of action and potential harm can vary depending on the type of painkillerThe safety of consuming painkillers such as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs NSAIDs or opioids every day depends on various factors including the type of painkiller dosage duration of use and individual health conditionsPainkillers are commonly used to manage joint pain which can be caused by various conditions such as arthritis injury or inflammation The specific painkillers prescribed or recommended for joint pain depend on the underlying cause severity of pain and individual factorsHere are some commonly used painkillers for joint painNonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs NSAIDsAcetaminophen ParacetamolTopical AnalgesicsCorticosteroidsIts important to consult with your Orthopaedic specialist to determine the most suitable painkiller and treatment approach for joint pain They can assess the underlying cause consider your medical history and provide personalized recommendations for pain managementAdditionally nonpharmacological approaches such as physical therapy heat or cold therapy assistive devices can be usedHowever it is best to avoid taking painkillers frequently to manage minor pain Dr Sana Ahmed S Sayyad specialist shoulder knee arthroscopy amp sports injuries consultant orthopaedic surgeon Ruby Hall Clinic Wanowrie Pune suggests Below he explains why taking painkillers must be avoided whenever possible unless specifically instructed by a healthcare professionalDependency and tolerance Over time your body may become accustomed to the medication requiring higher doses to achieve the same level of pain relief This can potentially lead to a cycle of increasing dosage and reliance on the medicationSide effects and health risks As mentioned earlier common side effects include gastrointestinal problems kidney damage and cardiovascular complications Regular use of opioids can also lead to addiction and increase the risk of respiratory depressionMasking underlying issues Pain is your bodys way of signaling that something may be wrong By relying heavily on painkillers to mask the pain you may be suppressing the symptoms of an underlying condition that requires proper diagnosis and treatment It is important to address the root cause of the pain rather than relying solely on pain relief medicationWhen painkillers are consumed on a daily basis especially over an extended period there can be potential harms to consider Sayyad lists down a few health risksGastrointestinal issues These medications can irritate the stomach lining leading to issues like stomach ulcers stomach bleeding and gastritisKidney damage Prolonged use of these medications can reduce blood flow to the kidneys and cause kidney damage This risk is higher in individuals with preexisting kidney conditions and elderly patientsCardiovascular complications They can elevate blood pressure increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes and interfere with the effectiveness of certain blood pressure medicationsMedication overuse headache Frequent use of painkillers such as overthecounter analgesics or prescription opioids can lead to a condition known as medication overuse headache This occurs when the body becomes accustomed to the medication and as its effects wear off it triggers rebound headachesAlso Read Switching to healthy alternatives for snacks at workplace can boost energy as well as productivity