Urgent warning as world's most common painkiller linked to killer disease
The drug - which is the first line of defence against a number of common ailments - could be causing irreparable damage to your liver, according to a senior pharmacy practice lecturer at Kingston University
An urgent warning has been issued about one of the world's most common drugs - which could secretly be harming your liver.
The pill - which is used for anything from headaches to muscle pain - is generally safe as long as the recommended dosage isn't exceeded.
Senior lecturer in pharmacy practice at Kingston University, Dipa Kamdar, has warned that even taking a few pills over the recommendation could have "extremely dangerous" consequences for your liver.
Most people would assume that drinking alcohol is the primary cause of liver damage, but Dipa warned there are a number of "often overlooked" everyday habits that can "eventually lead to serious conditions such as cirrhosis - permanent scarring of the liver - or liver failure".
She said that eating foods high in sugar or saturated fat, smoking, and exercising enough can all lead to the life-threatening conditions, as can taking too much paracetamol.
"Despite its remarkable resilience – and even its ability to regenerate – the liver is not indestructible," Dipa wrote in The Conversation.
"One of the challenges with liver disease is that it can be a silent threat. In its early stages, it may cause only vague symptoms like constant fatigue or nausea.
"As damage progresses, more obvious signs may emerge. One of the most recognisable is jaundice, where the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow."
Each year, liver disease kills more than 11,000 people in the UK - which amounts to more than 31 deaths each day, according to The British Liver Trust. The charity warned that while deaths from other major diseases are falling, deaths from liver disease have quadrupled in the past five decades.
When paracetamol is broken down by the liver, it produces a toxic by-product called NAPQI - which is usually neutralised by a protective substance called glutathione. However, when someone takes too much of the drug, the body is flooded with the toxins and the liver can become overwhelmed.
Dipa explained: "In an overdose, glutathione stores become depleted, allowing NAPQI to accumulate and attack liver cells," Dipa warned. This can result in acute liver failure, which can be fatal.
"Even small overdoses, or combining paracetamol with alcohol, can increase the risk of serious harm. Always stick to the recommended dose and speak to a doctor if you find yourself needing pain relief regularly."
Researchers have undertaken numerous studies into the dangers of taking paracetamol, with some linking low doses to liver failure.
Honorary senior research fellow at the University of Oxford, Andrew Moore, wrote in The Conversation : "Paracetamol is known to cause liver failure in overdose, but it also causes liver failure in people taking standard doses for pain relief. The risk is only about one in a million, but it is a risk."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Itching, swelling and burning after sex may be signs of a surprisingly common allergy
ITCHY genitals, a burning sensation, and feeling breathless are all considered normal after sex. But for a growing number of women, these symptoms could be a sign of seminal plasma hypersensitivity (SPH) - an allergy to semen. While it's considered a rare allergy, it's also underdiagnosed. And Michael Carroll, associate professor in reproductive science at Manchester Metropolitan University, explains it isn't triggered by sperm cells, but the fluid that carried the sperm. He said: "First documented in 1967, when a woman was hospitalised after a 'violent allergic reaction' to sex, SPH is now recognised as a type 1 hypersensitivity, the same category as hay fever, peanut allergy and cat dander." Writing for The Conversation, Carroll says symptoms of SPH can range from mild to severe. While some women experience local reactions, such as burning, itching, redness and swelling of the vulva or vagina, others develop full-body symptoms, like hives, wheezing, and even anaphylaxis. He added: "Until 1977, SPH was thought to affect fewer than 100 women globally. "But a study led by allergist Jonathan Bernstein found among women reporting postcoital symptoms, nearly 12 per cent could be classified as having probable SPH. "I conducted a small, unpublished survey in 2013 and found a similar 12 per cent rate. The true figure may be higher still. "Many cases go unreported, misdiagnosed, or dismissed as STIs, yeast infections, or general 'sensitivity'. "One revealing clue: symptoms disappear when condoms are used." Grand Designs' 'most ambitious project EVER' as parents build incredible allergy-proof 'healthy house' to protect kids The main allergen, according to Carroll, is prostate-specific antigen - a protein produced by cells in the prostate gland. And cross-reactivity is a possibility, for example, f5, a protein found in dog dander, is structurally similar to PSA. So a woman allergic to dogs may also be allergic to semen too. Also, woman may not be the only ones affected, said Carroll. It's possible some men be allergic to their own semen too. A paper published in American Journal of Case Reports described a 22-year-old was consumed by sneezing, watery eyes, stomach cramps, muscle pain and deep fatigue in the hours after climaxing. The condition is known as post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS). While SPH doesn't cause infertility directly, it can complicate conception. Carroll said: "Avoiding the allergen – usually the most effective treatment for allergies – isn't feasible for couples trying to conceive. Treatments include prophylactic antihistamines (antihistamine medications taken in advance of anticipated exposure to an allergen, or before allergy symptoms are expected to appear to prevent or reduce the severity of allergic reactions), anti-inflammatories and desensitisation using diluted seminal plasma. In more severe cases, couples may choose IVF with washed sperm, bypassing the allergic trigger altogether. When to call 999 after an allergic reaction Call 999 if: your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air) your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet) you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy someone faints and cannot be woken up a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face) You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised or itchy. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Urgent warning as world's most common painkiller linked to killer disease
The drug - which is the first line of defence against a number of common ailments - could be causing irreparable damage to your liver, according to a senior pharmacy practice lecturer at Kingston University An urgent warning has been issued about one of the world's most common drugs - which could secretly be harming your liver. The pill - which is used for anything from headaches to muscle pain - is generally safe as long as the recommended dosage isn't exceeded. Senior lecturer in pharmacy practice at Kingston University, Dipa Kamdar, has warned that even taking a few pills over the recommendation could have "extremely dangerous" consequences for your liver. Most people would assume that drinking alcohol is the primary cause of liver damage, but Dipa warned there are a number of "often overlooked" everyday habits that can "eventually lead to serious conditions such as cirrhosis - permanent scarring of the liver - or liver failure". She said that eating foods high in sugar or saturated fat, smoking, and exercising enough can all lead to the life-threatening conditions, as can taking too much paracetamol. "Despite its remarkable resilience – and even its ability to regenerate – the liver is not indestructible," Dipa wrote in The Conversation. "One of the challenges with liver disease is that it can be a silent threat. In its early stages, it may cause only vague symptoms like constant fatigue or nausea. "As damage progresses, more obvious signs may emerge. One of the most recognisable is jaundice, where the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow." Each year, liver disease kills more than 11,000 people in the UK - which amounts to more than 31 deaths each day, according to The British Liver Trust. The charity warned that while deaths from other major diseases are falling, deaths from liver disease have quadrupled in the past five decades. When paracetamol is broken down by the liver, it produces a toxic by-product called NAPQI - which is usually neutralised by a protective substance called glutathione. However, when someone takes too much of the drug, the body is flooded with the toxins and the liver can become overwhelmed. Dipa explained: "In an overdose, glutathione stores become depleted, allowing NAPQI to accumulate and attack liver cells," Dipa warned. This can result in acute liver failure, which can be fatal. "Even small overdoses, or combining paracetamol with alcohol, can increase the risk of serious harm. Always stick to the recommended dose and speak to a doctor if you find yourself needing pain relief regularly." Researchers have undertaken numerous studies into the dangers of taking paracetamol, with some linking low doses to liver failure. Honorary senior research fellow at the University of Oxford, Andrew Moore, wrote in The Conversation : "Paracetamol is known to cause liver failure in overdose, but it also causes liver failure in people taking standard doses for pain relief. The risk is only about one in a million, but it is a risk."
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Urgent paracetamol warning as world's most common painkiller is linked to disease that kills 30 Brits every day
Taking more than the recommended dose can 'overwhelm' your liver - with dangerous consequences DRUG ALERT Urgent paracetamol warning as world's most common painkiller is linked to disease that kills 30 Brits every day A PHARMACIST has issued a warning about the world's most used painkiller paracetamol, warning it could be "quietly harming" your liver. The pill is safe to take for headaches, muscle pain and fever, as long as you're sticking to recommended amounts. Advertisement 2 Exceeding recommended doses of paracetamol could lead to liver damage Credit: Getty But "taking too much – even slightly exceeding the recommended dose – can be extremely dangerous for your liver", warned Dipa Kamdar, a senior lecturer in pharmacy practice at Kingston University. It's easy to assume that alcohol is the main culprit of liver damage. "In fact, many everyday habits, often overlooked, can slowly cause damage that may eventually lead to serious conditions such as cirrhosis - permanent scarring of the liver - or liver failure," the pharmacist wrote in The Conversation. This can include eating foods high in saturated fat or sugar, as well as smoking or not exercising enough - as well as taking too much paracetamol. Advertisement "Despite its remarkable resilience – and even its ability to regenerate – the liver is not indestructible," Dipa said. "One of the challenges with liver disease is that it can be a silent threat. In its early stages, it may cause only vague symptoms like constant fatigue or nausea. "As damage progresses, more obvious signs may emerge. One of the most recognisable is jaundice, where the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow." Liver disease kills more than 11,000 people in the UK each year, according to The British Liver Trust. Advertisement That amounts to more than 31 deaths a day, the charity said. It warned that liver disease deaths in the UK have quadrupled in the last 50 years, at the same time as deaths from other major diseases have fallen. Scientists discover that even really low doses of paracetamol could damage your heart Dipa explained paracetamol could be dangerous to the liver due to the way the organ processes the painkiller. As it breaks down the drug, it produces a toxic by-product called NAPQI. Advertisement Normally, the body neutralises this by producing a protective substance known as glutathione. But in high doses, the liver can become overwhelmed, potentially leading to potentially life-threatening damage. "In an overdose, glutathione stores become depleted, allowing NAPQI to accumulate and attack liver cells," Dipa warned. "This can result in acute liver failure, which can be fatal. Advertisement "Even small overdoses, or combining paracetamol with alcohol, can increase the risk of serious harm," the pharmacist went on. "Always stick to the recommended dose and speak to a doctor if you find yourself needing pain relief regularly." 2 Studies have looked into the potential dangers of taking paracetamol. Advertisement Research published in 2013 showed a link between liver failure and low doses of paracetamol. As Andrew Moore, an honorary senior research fellow at the University of Oxford, wrote in The Conversation: "Paracetamol is known to cause liver failure in overdose, but it also causes liver failure in people taking standard doses for pain relief. "The risk is only about one in a million, but it is a risk." Other habits damaging your liver Dipa shared other habits that may be silently damaging your liver. Advertisement Drinking too much alcohol is the obvious one. When you drink, your liver works to break down the alcohol and clear it from your system, but having too much of it at once overwhelms this process and causes toxic by products to build up and damage liver cells. This can cause fat to accumulate in the liver and continued drinking can progress it to alcoholic hepatitis and then cirrhosis. Experts recommend sticking to no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, and including alcohol-free days to give your liver time to recover. Advertisement It's also worth taking a look at your diet to protect your liver, as foods high in saturated fat - like red meat, fried foods and processed snacks - can raise cholesterol levels and contribute to liver fat accumulation. Symptoms of liver disease Most types of liver disease do not cause any symptoms in the early stages. Once you start to get symptoms of liver disease, your liver is already damaged and scarred. This is known as cirrhosis. Symptoms of cirrhosis include: Feeling very tired and weak all the time Loss of appetite – which may lead to weight loss Loss of sex drive (libido) Yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) Itchy skin Feeling or being sick Source: NHS Sugary foods and drinks are also a major risk factor, the pharmacist said. Not exercising enough can contribute to weight gain, which ups the risk of liver disease. But exercising can benefit your liver even in you don't lose weight, Dipa noted. Advertisement Finally, the chemicals from cigarette smoke can make your liver work harder and contribute to cirrhosis. The British Liver Trust says 90 per cent of liver disease cases can be prevented by lifestyle changes. "You can protect [your liver] by drinking alcohol in moderation, quitting smoking, taking medications responsibly, eating a balanced diet, staying active and keeping hydrated," Dipa said.
