New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) Even as easily accessible over-the-counter (OTC) medications help manage pain and reduce inflammation, their indiscriminate use can pose significant risks, especially to the kidneys, said experts on Wednesday, ahead of World Kidney Day.
World Kidney Day is observed annually on March 14 to raise awareness about the various risks posed to the organ that filters the blood and excretes waste products out of the body.
Kidney disease is the eighth leading cause of death in India.
Overuse of OTC painkillers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, aspirin, and antibiotics are some of the major reasons behind this, along with hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, warned nephrologists.
Various studies have shown that painkillers can cause kidney damage by reducing blood flow to the kidneys, causing fluid retention, and interfering with the kidney’s ability to regulate electrolytes.
“NSAIDs work by inhibiting certain enzymes in the body that help regulate blood flow to the kidneys. Prolonged use can disrupt this balance, leading to decreased kidney function and, in severe cases, acute kidney injury,” Dr Deepak Shankar Ray, Senior Consultant Nephrology at NH-RN Tagore Hospital, Kolkata, told IANS.
Due to a lack of indicators, kidney diseases are often referred to as the “quiet disease”.
Also, in many cases, people ignore early warning signs, while detecting kidney disease early can mean the difference between life and death.
Dr Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief and Senior Consultant, Nephrology, at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, told IANS that patients receiving prolonged courses of antibiotics or those with pre-existing kidney impairment are at increased risk of antibiotic-induced kidney damage.
“Inappropriate antibiotic use, such as self-medication or failure to complete the prescribed course, can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, necessitating more potent antibiotics with potentially greater nephrotoxicity,” he warned.
The experts urged patients to safeguard their kidney health by adhering to prescribed medication regimens, avoiding self-medication, and consulting doctors if they experience any concerning symptoms, such as changes in urinary habits or swelling.
–IANS
rvt/vd
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
