Mumbai : City doctors have warned people against the indiscriminate consumption of painkillers as excessive use can lead to health problems such as gastroenteritis, stomach ulcers, blood vomiting and kidney damage. The warning has come in the wake of increasing complaints of chronic joint pain and backache from people consuming painkillers on a regular basis. Health experts emphasise that painkillers are temporary medication and should be consumed only if recommended by one’s doctor.
It’s increasingly becoming a common practice for people to pop a painkiller to get rid of pain rather than consulting a doctor, say experts. City doctors pointed out that this is because some painkillers are freely available at drugstores and people start developing a psychological dependence on such pills wherein they believe that their pain won’t subside unless they consume a painkiller.
Dr Shahid Bharmare, general physician at Kohinoor Hospital, said: “Occasional consumption of painkillers is not harmful. However, if one consumes them on a regular basis, it poses a serious threat to life, especially for people who are aged and suffer from chronic pain.”
City doctors state that excessive use of painkillers leads to side-effects such as burning sensation in the stomach, blood vomiting, mild gastroenteritis, kidney damages and liver damage in rare cases. They advise people to consult a doctor and take prescribed medications for any pain, visit the doctor regularly, exercise, eat well and lose weight in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle
Manasi Tahalani
