Why popping pain relievers is harmful?

Got severe stomach cramps or a crippling headache? Before you make your way to the medicine box to look for your favourite pain killer, it's time you stopped to give it some thought. Even though, over-the-counter pain medications are considerably cheap and easily available, you must gain awareness about potential side effects. Make it a habit to check for the label and follow the directions precisely before you develop any health complications. Today Dr. Pulkit Sharma, Clinical Psychologist and Psychoanalytical Therapist, VIMHANS, tells us about the types, psychology and risks of pain relievers. Types of OTC Pain Relievers: These are usually the medications that people tend to buy without getting a prescription from their doctor. OTC Pain Relievers are of two types: Non Steroid Anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen, which block the physiological processes that cause pain, and Acetaminophens such as Tylenol and Panadol, which act on pain centres in the brain and do not block physiological processes. They do not cause gastrointestinal bleeding and are safer. The Psychology behind Pain Relievers: People are increasingly taking pain relievers to beat normal day-to-day stress and emotional pain. This class of people often becomes obsessive about pill popping. This is a dangerous trend as a majority of such people are getting addicted to pain relievers. Pill popping has an adverse effect on both physical and mental health. For stress and emotional pain it is best to seek Talk Therapy from a Psychologist. Age can affect pain reliever safety: Although it is commonly believed that pain relievers are safe for all age groups, in reality this is tricky. Both young children and older adults are vulnerable to develop serious side effects due to indiscriminate use of OTC pain relievers. It becomes, therefore, necessary to seek medical advice before giving OTC pain relievers to this group. Pregnancy can affect pain reliever safety: If you experience pain during pregnancy do not jump to painrelievers as they can have an adverse effect on the foetus. Try non-drug pain relieving methods first and in case you still need a drug go for Acetaminophens. Every medication during pregnancy should be taken under medical supervision. Pain relievers affect your blood pressure and liver: Some pain relievers can cause high blood pressure and chances are doubled if you are already taking other medications. Pain relievers, if taken indiscriminately or in an overdose, can cause serious liver injury. It is therefore important to know the right dosage of pain relievers. Pain relievers can over work kidneys: Pain relievers can cause either acute kidney failure or analgesic nephropathy. Acute kidney failure requires emergency dialysis and is generally treatable. Analgesic Nephropathy is a chronic condition which leads to irreversible kidney damage. Pain relievers can affect the stomach: Your stomach is a sensitive organ and pain relievers can create havoc. Pain relievers can irritate the lining of the stomach causing ulcers and bleeding. People who already have ulcers or stomach problems can experience a significant worsening in their symptoms. Pain relievers can affect your heart: Several research studies have associated pain relievers with cardiovascular problems. By contributing to high blood pressure, pain relievers may increase your risk of getting a heart attack or a stroke. People with existing cardiovascular problems need to be extra cautious. Read labels to know your medicine: All pain relievers are not the same and before using them you must be well-informed. The best shortcut to obtain this information is to read the label of your medicine. The labels generally inform how the medication works, how to use it safely and the kind of side-effects you could experience. Always consult a doctor if you feel that your pill popping has become a habit.