Urgent warning as Ireland's most common painkiller linked to killer illness
The tablet, commonly taken for ailments ranging from headaches to muscle aches, is typically safe if the advised dose isn't surpassed.
Kingston University's senior lecturer in pharmacy practice, Dipa Kamdar, cautioned that even slightly exceeding the recommended amount of this drug can pose "extremely dangerous" risks to liver health.
While many might think alcohol consumption is the main culprit behind liver harm, Dipa highlighted several "often overlooked" daily practices that could lead to grave outcomes like cirrhosis – irreversible liver scarring – or outright liver failure.
She pointed out that indulging in high-sugar or high-saturated fat foods, smoking, and insufficient exercise are all potential pathways to these perilous conditions, as is the overconsumption of paracetamol, reports the Mirror.
"Despite its remarkable resilience – and even its ability to regenerate – the liver is not indestructible," Dipa penned 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 the damage advances, more pronounced indicators can appear. One of the most noticeable is jaundice, where the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow."
The WHO indicate a 452% increase in liver deaths between 1971 and 2012 in Ireland. Live disease is also one of the most common illnesses in Ireland.
The breakdown of paracetamol in the liver generates a toxic by-product named NAPQI, normally counteracted by glutathione, a protective agent. However, excessive dosages mean the body becomes swamped with toxins, potentially overwhelming the liver.
Dipa issued a stark caution: "In an overdose, glutathione stores become depleted, allowing NAPQI to accumulate and attack liver cells," this potentially causing acute liver failure, which may lead to death.
"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."
There's been a raft of studies concerning the risks associated with paracetamol consumption, some of which ties even minimal doses to liver failure.
Writing for The Conversation, University of Oxford's honorary senior research fellow Andrew Moore highlighted: "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
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Brit dad dies after eating 'half-cooked chicken' at luxury 4-star resort
A much loved father tragically passed away at a luxury hotel after consuming "half-cooked" chicken and contracting a severe illness, an inquest has revealed. Leslie Green, 70, fell victim to salmonella during his stay at the Occidental Jandia Playa resort in Fuerteventura while celebrating his milestone birthday with his family. The grandfather-of-one became unwell during the second week of the €2,700 holiday, and was admitted to a Spanish hospital where he developed complications, including sepsis and kidney failure. Leslie, from Little Lever, Bolton, Greater Manchester, sadly died in hospital around four weeks later due to multi-organ failure. An inquest has now determined that Leslie's death was caused by food poisoning he contracted from eating undercooked chicken on holiday. His wife of 38 years, Julie, also fell seriously ill after she contracted salmonella on her 60th birthday and spent a week in hospital. Julie stated that she and Leslie had only eaten from the buffet in the hotel during their holiday. The inquest at Rochdale Coroner's Court concluded that Leslie died of multi-organ failure as a result of sepsis, caused by salmonella, reports the Mirror. Following the hearing, Julie said: "It's almost impossible to find the words to describe the last few months and trying to come to terms with Leslie's death. "Leslie was such a loving and caring husband and dad. He was my best friend and life without him will never be the same. I still struggle to comprehend how we went on holiday, but Leslie didn't come home. Leslie was the head of our family and someone everyone looked to for help and guidance. "There's now a gaping hole in our family that can never be filled. I'd do anything not to be in this position and for Leslie to be in our lives, but I know that's not possible. "Listening to the evidence has been difficult but it was something I was determined to do to honour Leslie's memory. I just hope that by speaking out I can prevent anyone else suffering like Leslie did. I wouldn't wish that on anyone." Julie and Leslie Green. (Image: SWNS) Leslie Green. Leslie, a former newspaper delivery driver for the Manchester Evening News, became unwell on October 9 last year with symptoms including diarrhoea, which resulted in dehydration. Julie revealed the pair had worries about a carbonara sauce they consumed one day being tepid, whilst she discovered her chicken was raw during another meal. She also alleged she witnessed no staff members washing their hands and freshly prepared food would be combined with food that had been left standing. Leslie, who had celebrated his 70th birthday in July 2024 and was put into an induced coma after becoming poorly, passed away hours after his life-support machine was turned off on November 4. His remains were brought home a week later. The Occidental Jandia Playa was contacted for comment. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
One dead and nine in hospital after eating contaminated sandwich
A man has tragically lost his life with nine others rushed to hospital in Italy after consuming a sandwich containing 'contaminated' broccoli, sparking a widespread product recall. Artist and musician Luigi Di Sarno, 52, collapsed and could not be revived after purchasing a broccoli and sausage sandwich from a food truck along the Diamante seafront in Cosenza province. The casualties, believed to include two teenagers, were all admitted to the intensive care unit at Annunziata Hospital in the town. Among those requiring urgent medical attention are understood to be members of Mr Di Sarno's devastated family, with two patients reportedly remaining in an extremely critical condition. The incident occurs against the backdrop of an escalating botulism outbreak triggered by toxins from Clostridium botulinum bacteria, reports the Mirror. Entire family of five killed in horror rental car crash in Portugal This follows a doctor's stark warning to individuals who consume even a 'single cup of tea'. Unverified reports suggest a 38 year old woman has also perished after eating a taco with guacamole at a festival kiosk in Cagliari. The nation remains on heightened alert following the Paola Public Prosecutor's Office's demand for the 'immediate seizure of a commercial product'. The Calabria Region's Department of Health and Welfare stated: "The emergency procedure established in these cases has been activated, which requires immediate notification to the Poison Control Center in Pavia, the only national centre designated for the management of botulism. Giant sandwich with salsicce e friarielli - sausages and broccoli - neapolitan food (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) An urgent broccoli recall has been launched following the man's death (Image: Facebook) "No region or hospital in the country is authorised to store the antivenom in their own facilities. This serum, however, is exclusively available to the Ministry of Health, which holds it in designated secure locations and distributes it only through the Lombardy Poison Control Centre. "The first two vials, used for the first patients, were sent directly from the Military Pharmacy in Taranto. However, as the number of cases increased, additional supplies became necessary. "Yesterday, the Calabria Region, through Azienda Zero, provided a 118 aircraft that flew to the San Camillo Hospital in Rome, where the ministry had centralised additional vials of the antivenom to facilitate distribution." A friend of Mr Di Sarno paid tribute to him on social media, writing: "The world loses once again a beautiful person, leaving a void in all those who truly cared for him. "We had rare encounters in recent times but mutual respect never waned, we had a beer pending and many stories to share. It will be for another world, rest in peace!". The contaminated broccoli incident comes just days after eight people reportedly fell ill with botulism after consuming tainted guacamole at a festival in Sardinia late last month. An 11 year old boy remains in intensive care at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome after being airlifted from Cagliari. The mayor of Diamante, Achille Ordine, has urged people not to 'create panic' in the wake of the outbreak, while the Public Prosecutor's Office of Paola is conducting an investigation. The ASP of Cosenza has imposed a health block on the activity 'as a precautionary measure'. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Daily Mirror
04-08-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man, 30, put pain down to gym aches, then doctors asked where he'd like to die
At the young age of 29, Alex Able was looking forward to a bright future and planning a family with his wife, Elle. However, their dreams were shattered just two years after their 2021 wedding when Alex received a devastating diagnosis, confirming he had one of the world's rarest cancers. Now 30, Alex, an engineer from Kent, lives with Elle, aged 27, and their two cats, Socks and Sage. He initially brushed off shoulder pain in September 2023 as a minor issue due to his active gym routine. Despite the pain disrupting his sleep, Alex managed to get an MRI scan, which initially came back clear in November 2023. This news followed a doctor's caution regarding the consumption of even 'a single cup of tea'. The relief from the initial scan results was short-lived; by May 2024, the pain had worsened, leading to another scan that revealed a large tumour on his shoulder and close to his spinal cord. Although surgeons successfully removed 90% of the tumour, the remaining 10% was too risky to extract due to its proximity to Alex's spine. The tumour was tested, and within a fortnight, Alex faced a harrowing diagnosis, reports the Mirror. "Our world came crashing down around us all," said Katie Bleach, Alex's mother-in-law from Kent, who has been liaising with the press on behalf of her daughter Elle and Alex. Alex was diagnosed with a Rhabdoid tumour, a rare and aggressive cancer that usually affects young children. According to Katie, this type of disease is so uncommon that there are believed to be only about 11 confirmed cases across Europe, with Alex thought to be the first in the UK. Alex and Elle Able (Image: Handout) Alex was diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of cancer that typically affects young children (Image: Handout) "They [doctors] explained that Rhabdoid tumours behave like spider webs, fine strands that cling to whatever they can grab. Alex's was dangerously close to his spinal cord, attached to muscles and nerves controlling his arm movement," shared the distressed parent. Merely four weeks following his initial operation, the tumour had regrown to its original size. Alex then faced intensive radiotherapy sessions every day for six weeks, aiming to reduce the tumour. "The radiotherapy caused burns and inflammation to his throat, and he struggled to eat or drink. He was losing weight rapidly, but he kept pushing through," recounted Katie. Subsequently, Alex began chemotherapy and against all odds, "started to build himself back up". A scan partway through revealed small tumours in his lungs, lower back, and shoulder bone; however, as chemotherapy progressed, by the end of December, the secondary tumours in his lung had diminished by half and the spot on his lower back bone had disappeared. The original tumour on his shoulder "remained stable," and Alex and Elle started making plans for their future, including an exciting move from Kent to Shropshire. Alex completed chemotherapy in March 2025 and marked his 30th birthday in the same month following a gruelling period. Devastatingly, towards the end of April, Alex fell ill and began experiencing unusual sensations in his legs alongside back pain. Within mere days, his condition worsened dramatically, with subsequent test results showing that the lung tumours had made a comeback. Moreover, fresh growths had developed in his lower back, affecting his ability to move, whilst two minor lesions appeared in his brain. Katie revealed: "Over the coming weeks, difficult decisions were made; they pulled out of their dream home, Wills were drawn up, conversations about his declining mobility and future care were had." Alex received radiotherapy treatment to his brain and lower spine, coupled with intensive physiotherapy to restore his walking ability. Chemotherapy also recommenced, but the morning following his first session of the third cycle, Alex awoke unable to feel his legs. He suffered sudden paralysis from the chest downwards, with an MRI scan discovering two additional growths in his spine, taking the total count to seven tumours. Katie revealed that prior to his diagnosis, Alex and Elle, who have been a couple since 2019 and became engaged just nine months afterwards, "loved travelling, eating out, going on adventures, went out with friends a lot and were film buffs". She elaborated on their shared aspirations, saying: "Their hopes for the future were aligned; they were desperate to move to Shropshire, and both wanted to live in the countryside. They wanted a more outdoorsy life and were thinking of starting a family. Their adventures were only just beginning." Alex Able was given a heart-shattering diagnosis (Image: Handout) Alex and Elle got married in 2021 and were excited for their future together (Image: Handout) Katie spoke of her daughter's unwavering support for Alex: "She's the strongest. and the most courageous girls I know. She's been an absolute tower of strength to Alex, giving him nothing but love and encouragement with a constant belief that they're going to come through the other end." The rarity of Alex's condition has made treatment difficult, and on July 11, the family received the harrowing update that his cancer was "now uncontrollable" and his treatment would cease. Katie expressed her heartbreak over the medical approach: "Despite what they might think is best for Alex, they aren't delivering any actual care; all they're doing is managing his symptoms." She added that while Alex is comfortable, his health continues to deteriorate: "He's comfortable and well looked after, but his condition in effect is only just getting worse." On Wednesday, July 30, Katie recounted their most challenging day: "It was a horrific day. Alex was really uncomfortable; he had hardly any sleep the day before, and he woke up saying he was done. We all gathered around him thinking, he looks so ill, this is it, we've run out of time. "I think part of his feeling so low is that he's fully aware that his cancer is potentially progressing while he's been lying there. He was starting to lose hope." The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Katie recounted how after Alex expressed he'd had enough, he was given the stark choice of going home or to a hospice. "They essentially asked him where he would like to die," she disclosed. Determined not to surrender, the family has spent the past three weeks exploring alternative treatments outside the NHS and have launched a GoFundMe page to gather funds for Alex's ongoing treatment, which includes travel and other expenses. Katie eventually made contact with a Professor in Germany who couldn't treat Alex himself but provided information on seven treatment options available at Germany's premier Rhabdoid tumour centre – the University Medical Centre, Augsburg. Professor Robin Jones from the Royal Marsden has reached out to offer his services to take on Alex's case privately. The family is currently awaiting details regarding his transfer and the proposed treatment plan. "Alex is absolutely over the moon, and he's raring to go again. He's always been so determined and said he's going to be the one success case and hopefully a pioneer for children with this awful disease," his mother-in-law shared with optimism. "We've gone from the darkest place to now, there's some light at the end of the tunnel. We're feeling hopeful again. We will never give up on Alex because he's so determined to live." You can visit Alex's GoFundMe page here. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
