Monsoon season brings with it pleasant weather and relief, but along with it it also brings with it many problems like seasonal diseases, viral fever, cold and body ache. In such a situation, in case of even a slight problem, people often pretend to be doctors and buy over-the-counter painkillers (pain-relieving medicines) from medical stores. But do you know that taking painkillers during fever during monsoon can prove to be very dangerous for your health, especially your kidneys?
Dangerous combination of dehydration and painkillers
According to Dr. Javid Tahir, Consultant Nephrologist, NephroPlus, during monsoon days, the body often becomes dehydrated due to viral fever, vomiting-diarrhea and drinking less water. In such a situation, when a person consumes painkillers, it puts excessive pressure on the body and kidneys. Especially when the risk of dengue, malaria or other viral infections is at its peak, taking painkillers without doctor’s advice is no less than a major threat to the kidneys.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are harmful
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Naproxen and Aspirin reduce body pain immediately, but they slow down blood flow to the kidneys, which increases the risk of damage to kidney tissue. Apart from this, the risk of bleeding also increases significantly due to the consumption of these medicines in diseases like dengue.
What things should be kept in mind while taking paracetamol?
Dr. Anupam Roy, Additional Director of Nephrology and Kidney Transplant, Aakash Healthcare Multi-Speciality Hospital (Dwarka), says that doctors generally advise taking Paracetamol for fever and body pain, but in this too it is very important to take care of the correct dosage.
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Caution with other medicines: Many times people take combined medicines for cold and cough, which already contain paracetamol. In such a situation, taking paracetamol separately again poses a risk of overdose.
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chronic diseases: People who already have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or any chronic kidney disease (CKD) should never take painkillers without consulting a doctor.
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Drink enough water: Along with taking the medicine, do not allow dehydration in the body and consume adequate amount of fluids.
If which symptoms appear, consult a doctor immediately?
If the following symptoms appear in the body during fever, do not take painkillers even by mistake and immediately consult a good doctor:
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scanty urine output
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swelling of the face or body, accompanied by vomiting
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feeling extremely tired and weak
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feeling dizzy or confused
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having trouble breathing