Self-administering painkillers for minor headaches or body aches can cause kidney damage. ...read more

Nowadays, people take painkillers without consulting a doctor, but did you know that excessive use of painkillers can harm your kidneys? Yes, let's learn about this from Dr. Vijay Kumar Sinha (Senior Director, Nephrology and Kidney Transplant, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Noida).

How do these medicines work?

Dr. Sinha explains that painkillers are one of the most commonly used medications in the world. While painkillers can help relieve headaches or body aches, long-term use can harm your kidneys. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) pose a higher risk of kidney damage.

The kidneys' job is to filter waste from the body and maintain electrolyte balance. Proper blood flow to the kidneys is essential for this. Painkillers block the enzymes in the body that produce prostaglandins.

These prostaglandins not only signal pain but also help regulate blood flow to the kidneys. When we take large amounts of painkillers, blood flow to the kidneys decreases, which affects kidney function and gradually increases the risk of kidney damage.

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Risk of nephropathy

The biggest risk factor associated with excessive painkiller use is analgesic nephropathy. This condition is characterized by kidney damage due to prolonged painkiller use. People who regularly take medications for migraines, arthritis, or back pain unknowingly put significant strain on their kidneys. While the disease may not show any symptoms in its early stages, it can progress silently until the kidneys are severely damaged.

Which people are more at risk?

Some people are at higher risk of kidney disease from painkillers, such as:

• elderly person
• Patients with high blood pressure or diabetes
• People who have dehydration in their bodies
• Patients who already have kidney disease
• People who take multiple painkillers at the same time without medical advice

Easy ways to prevent

Caution is essential to protect your kidneys from the side effects of medications. Always use painkillers in the lowest possible dose and not for long periods. If pain recurs, consult a doctor instead of self-medication.

 PC:Kailash hospital