Harvard doctor warns against taking painkillers on an empty stomach, here's what would happen
painkillers
occasionally. From the over-the-counter options like
ibuprofen
and acetaminophen, to prescription medications like opioids, most of us keep a stash at home to combat everyday aches and pains. But did you know that there are certain dos and don'ts when it comes to taking painkillers? One among them is - never take painkillers on an empty stomach. Why? Because they can do more harm than you can imagine, and that could land you in an emergency room.
Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a California-based gastroenterologist trained at Harvard and Stanford, with a million Instagram followers, has warned against taking painkillers on an empty stomach. In a video shared on Instagram, Dr. Sethi recounted treating a patient who took painkillers on an empty stomach.
'Last night, took care of a patient with bleeding stomach ulcer…' the doctor recalled. He revealed that the patient was taking painkillers for headaches, but didn't consume food ahead of it. 'Patient was consuming Motrin for headaches empty stomach!'
He warned, 'Always take Motrin, Advil, or Ibuprofen along with a snack! NEVER empty stomach!'
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around
Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List
Undo
What is Motrin?
Motrin is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) that contains ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is used to relieve pain and reduce fever.
Motrin is generally taken to relieve minor aches and pains. It can temporarily reduce fever, relieve minor aches and pains caused by headaches, common cold, back ache, toothache, muscular aches, menstrual cramps, and minor arthritis pain.
NSAIDs like ibuprofen are widely used to relieve pain and inflammation. However, taking them without food can irritate the stomach lining, potentially leading to serious complications such as ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding. Even acetaminophen, often considered gentler, isn't risk-free. Taking it on an empty stomach, especially in high doses or over a long period, can increase the risk of liver damage.
Side effects of NSAIDs
Similar to other medicines, NSAIDs also have side effects. The side effects arise if you take high doses for a long time, or have poor general health, or are elderly. According to the NHS, the side effects include:
Indigestion, including stomach aches, feeling sick, and diarrhoea
Stomach ulcers, which can cause internal bleeding and anaemia; extra medicine to protect your stomach may be prescribed to help reduce this risk
headaches
drowsiness
dizziness
allergic reactions
in rare cases, problems with your liver, kidneys, or heart and circulation, such as heart failure, heart attacks, and strokes
Some of the NSAIDs can also interact with other medications and increase the risk of side effects. Overdosing on these medications can also be dangerous. Before grabbing painkillers, consult your healthcare provider. This can avoid the possibility of adverse effects.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Larval breeding sites to attract penalty, MCC commissioner warns
Mangaluru: With dengue cases steadily on the rise, its prevention has become a collective responsibility, said Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) commissioner Ravichandra Naik. Pointing out that dengue, spread by Aedes mosquitoes, used to be seasonal (post-monsoon), cases are now being reported throughout the year. Intermittent rainfall is leading to an increase in mosquito breeding sites, resulting in a spike in dengue cases. Since dengue poses a serious public health threat and could lead to an outbreak, corporation teams must undertake larval surveys and aggressively eliminate all breeding sites, and make sure door-to-door awareness drives are held regularly, he stressed. The commissioner, who was speaking at a meeting related to the Universal Immunisation Programme held at the MCC office on Tuesday, directed officials to levy fines on buildings, houses, and apartments where larval breeding is detected. He also instructed officials to sensitise construction firms, since such places have become major breeding grounds, he said. "Since many dengue cases are being reported among labourers from other states, additional attention must be paid to this demography," the commissioner said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "Awareness campaigns should also be held in schools, colleges, nursing and medical colleges, and govt and private offices as well. Locals must keep their surroundings clean, install mosquito nets at home, and eliminate any breeding source," he added. "Residents must ensure that water does not stagnate in air coolers, refrigerators, ornamental pots, and trays of potted plants. Take care to prevent water from collecting in and around homes/offices, and solid waste must be disposed of properly," he explained. Rabies awareness Referring to rabies cases, the commissioner noted that the number of dog bite cases have increased in the last three years. He asked people to ensure their pets are getting timely vaccination and said more cases are being reported from pet dogs rather than stray dogs. "Free vaccines are available in govt hospitals, while veterinary camps are being conducted in rural areas in association with the animal husbandry department. People should make use of these facilities and seek timely medical guidance," he informed. Pet owners must ensure that puppies are not abandoned in public places, as it contributes to increase in stray dog population. District health officer Dr HR Thimmaiah, RCH officer Dr Rajesh, district surveillance officer Dr Naveenchandra Kulal, district health education officer Jyothi K Ulepadi, and others were present. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
PGI to offer free viral hepatitis diagnostic services
1 2 Chandigarh: The PGI will soon provide free diagnostic services for patients with viral hepatitis A, B, C, and E on both an outpatient and inpatient basis. This initiative aligns with the guidelines of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP), Govt of India. As a tertiary healthcare body, PGI serves a large catchment area, including patients from Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh. The free testing is available to all patients regardless of their domicile. The market rate of these tests ranges between Rs 6k and Rs 16k. There are between 800 and 1000 patients annually coming to the PGI with the hepatitis virus from all over the country. To get these free services, patients will be registered under new categories for hepatitis B, C, A, or E within the hospital's computer system. This registration will happen at the Medical Records Department (MRD) and will require a recommendation from the patient's doctor. Patients will be recommended if they tested positive for specific hepatitis markers (HBsAg, anti-HCV, IgM anti HAV, or IgM anti HEV) within the last six months. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo Once registered, patients diagnosed with hepatitis B or C will receive free testing for a full year. For those with hepatitis A or E, the free services will last for six months. After these periods, the patient's status will revert to general, but they can get renewed access if their doctor provides a new recommendation. The free diagnostic package includes a comprehensive range of tests tailored to the specific type of hepatitis. For instance, patients positive for hepatitis B (HBsAg) will undergo tests like HBV DNA and FibroScan, which help assess liver health. Similarly, those with hepatitis C (anti-HCV) will receive HCV RNA and FibroScan, among others. Patients with hepatitis A (IgM anti HAV) or hepatitis E (IgM anti HEV) will have various blood tests and an abdominal ultrasound (USG) covered. This new facility is set to launch once the hospital's computer section finishes setting up the new patient categories, promising much-needed relief and better access to care for thousands of patients across the region. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Dog bite cases rise, govt prepares rabies elimination plan
1 2 Guwahati: Dog bite cases in Assam have surged significantly — from 90,000 in 2023 to 1.5 lakh in 2024 — according to sources in the state health department. The spike comes amid inadequate coverage of anti-rabies vaccination for dogs and limited infrastructure for animal birth control (ABC) surgeries. In response to the escalating situation, the state govt has prepared the State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination 2030, which outlines the roles and responsibilities of the departments concerned. Health officials said the rise in reported cases is partly due to increased public awareness and improved hospital reporting. "People are now more proactive in seeking treatment at govt hospitals, where vaccines are available at lower costs," the source said. Stray dogs have become a nationwide concern, following the Supreme Court's ruling on street dogs in Delhi. Sources said approximately 50% of dog bite cases stem from street dogs, with the remaining half involving domesticated pets. Low vaccination rates among indigenous breeds in rural areas and street dogs in urban zones remain a major challenge. "An estimated 80% of domesticated dogs, especially the improved dog breeds, in urban areas are vaccinated," the source added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Readers says this maybe the best Cable TV Communications Search Now Undo Veterinary department sources estimate the state's stray dog population at just over 2 lakh, while pet dogs number around 4 lakh. In Guwahati, official data on street dogs is unavailable. However, over the past three months, more than 5,000 dogs have been vaccinated in the area under GMC by Just Be Friendly (JBF), a registered animal welfare organisation, in collaboration with UK-based group Mission Rabies and supported by the GMC. In response to complaints, JBF and GMC have also conducted ABC surgeries in recent months. "Several rabies-positive cases in dogs have been reported in Guwahati and its outskirts. ABC surgeries and anti-rabies vaccinations must be scaled up urgently," said Dr Sashanka Sekhar Dutta, managing trustee of JBF. While anti-rabies immunoglobulins and anti-rabies vaccines (ARVs) are available in medical college hospitals, district hospitals, sub-divisional civil hospitals, model hospitals, first referral units and community health centres, ARVs are also available at primary health centres Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
