Harvard doctor warns against taking painkillers on an empty stomach, here's what would happen
We all pop
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
Indian Express
30 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Ahmedabad Air India plane crash: Bodies wheeled into hospital with severe burns, seatbelts still on
Ahmedabad Civil Hospital's trauma centre saw severely burnt bodies coming in, many of which were beyond identification, following the Air India plane crash. Dr Pranjal Modi, director of the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre, located on the hospital campus, told The Indian Express that even the survivors, who were unconscious, had suffered severe burns. It is not yet clear whether the survivors are from the flight or from the site where the plane crashed. 'Most of the patients (crash victims) are seriously injured… they are not identifiable, faces are burnt, their skin is burnt to a great extent… they are unconscious. Our priority is to help them survive', said Dr Modi, who was attending to the families of the victims. About difficulties in identification, he said, 'Several patients still had seatbelts on; how does one examine their pockets for identities?' Relatives who had come from districts like Anand and other places in Gujarat to bid goodbye to their family members on the ill-fated flight, which was bound for London, waited anxiously at the hospital for news of their loved ones. Among them was Trupti Soni, an Ahmedabad-based entrepreneur, whose brother Swapnil Soni, his wife Yoga, and sister-in-law Alpa Soni were on the flight. 'I am waiting here at the hospital, and there is no news about them yet,' Trupti told The Indian Express. The Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where she was waiting, is the largest public hospital and also close to the airport. Her family members were to visit her elder brother, who is based in London, and then proceed on a holiday. The Gujarat government has announced helpline numbers – 079-232-51900 and 9978405304 – for news related to the crash.
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Bihar govt increases scheme sanction limit of mukhiyas, hikes allowances of PRI functionaries
The Nitish Kumar-led NDA government on Thursday announced that mukhiyas (village heads) can now sanction schemes up to Rs 10 lakh on their own under the MGNREGA without taking any administrative approval. Till now, a mukhiya was allowed to sanction schemes up to Rs 5 lakh under the MGNREGA. The government also announced a substantial hike in the allowances and other benefits of panchayati raj institution functionaries. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Empresas de São Paulo reduzem custos agora [Saiba mais] Sistema TMS embarcador Saiba Mais Undo The decision to increase the sanction limit of mukhiyas and hike the allowances of Zilla Parishad (ZP) president, ZP vice president, panchayat heads, sarpanch and panchayat members and ward members across the state working under the panchayati raj institutions was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar here on Thursday. As per the government decision, the monthly allowance of ZP president has been hiked to Rs 30,000 from Rs 20,000 while that of ZP vice president to Rs 20,000 from Rs 10,000 and mukhiya to Rs 7,500 from Rs 5,000. Live Events Panchayati Raj department secretary Manoj Kumar told PTI, "The other important announcements related to panchayati raj department made by the CM today also include that till now, family members of panchayat representatives were given a grant of Rs 5 lakh only on accidental death now they will be given a grant of Rs 5 lakh even in case of normal death in their work period. "Also, if panchayat representatives suffer from any major disease, then they will be provided health facilities/treatment from Chief Minister's Medical Assistance Fund". According to a statement issued by the CMO, "The CM said in the meeting that the government has set the target that Panchayat Sarkar Bhavan should be ready in all gram panchayats of the state before the elections to be held this year. For this, the remaining 1,069 new panchayat government buildings have also been approved by the state government." Assembly elections in Bihar are due later this year.
Indian Express
42 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Faridabad physician who posed as cardiologist to conduct over 50 heart surgeries booked
The Faridabad police Tuesday booked a doctor who allegedly posed as a cardiologist and conducted around 50 heart surgeries over eight months at a hospital in the city. The police also charged five officials associated with Meditrina Hospital, which ran a now-closed heart centre at Badshah Khan Hospital in Faridabad, where the imposter was employed and allegedly conducted surgeries. The general physician who allegedly posed as a cardiologist has been identified as Pankaj Mohan Sharma in the FIR filed at the SGM Nagar police station based on a complaint filed by Sanjay Gupta, a Faridabad-based advocate. Sharma is accused of treating heart patients without the required credentials, leading to at least three deaths. His phone was switched off when The Indian Express tried to contact him. The complaint alleges that Sharma, operating under the name Kshitij Mohan on social media, is also involved in a film-making company, Pansus Professionals Private Limited, where he serves as the managing director. The police stated that photographs of the certificates related to Sharma's medical education were sent for verification regarding the alleged certificate from the National Board of Examinations in Medical Science, New Delhi. According to the available records, no candidate by the name was included at the level mentioned in the alleged certificate, they said. The police have invoked Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) provisions concerning cheating by personation, forgery, criminal conspiracy, and endangering lives. 'Prima facie offence under sections 319(2), 318(4), 338, 336(3), 340(2), 61(2), 125 of the BNS was found to have occurred,' the police said based on the initial probe. Faridabad Chief Medical Officer Dr Jayant Ahuja was not available for a comment. The alleged fraud came to light after lawyer Gupta lodged a complaint at the NIT Faridabad police station on April 11, alleging that the accused had obtained additional degrees through forged documents. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) then launched a probe into the matter. The police said the accused was employed by the private hospital, which has been operating a heart care centre at Badshah Khan Civil Hospital under a public-private partnership model since July 2023. The accused allegedly conducted critical cardiac procedures despite lacking the necessary qualifications. His prescriptions falsely displayed credentials such as MD (doctor of medicine) and DNB (diplomate of national board) in cardiology, and he used a stamp identifying himself as a cardiologist, further deceiving patients and hospital management, said officers. Mediterina Hospital has a history of legal troubles, with multiple FIRs registered against it, including for alleged embezzlement, negligence, molestation and sexual harassment of a woman employee, Gupta stated in the complaint. The complaint also highlighted prior violations, including an untrained employee operating an echocardiography machine and producing falsified reports. Dileep Nair, the human resources head at the Kerala-based hospital chain who is also named an accused in the FIR, told The Indian Express that he has also filed a complaint against the impersonator in Ambala. 'He was hired by the local HR unit head and resigned in February once repeatedly asked for his documents. We will, from now on, allow approvals for appointments only from the head office rather than the unit level. The police have taken our statements, and we have given records from our end,' said Nair. When contacted, Dr N Prathap Kumar, chairperson and managing director of the hospital chain, who is also named in the FIR, said, 'Please speak to the HR; they handled the hiring. See, anybody can be named in an FIR.' The incident follows a similar case that came to light in Madhya Pradesh's Damoh district in April: a fake cardiologist, Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, allegedly caused seven deaths by performing unauthorised heart surgeries. For close to 12 years, Yadav allegedly pulled off a stunning hoax by pretending to be Dr John Camm, a celebrated UK-based cardiologist and professor at St George's University in London. On April 7, the Madhya Pradesh Police arrested him from Prayagraj on charges of forging his medical documents and performing surgeries and procedures without sanction. The police have since been investigating his stints at hospitals in Jabalpur, Hyderabad, Delhi, and beyond.
