Good Lifestyle

There is a good chance that you have a bottle of ibuprofen in your pharmacy cabinet right away. Maybe you even wear a few tablets in your bag in case of cramps or unexpected pain. Available under Advil and Motrin brand names, this non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) is one of the most purchased over-the-counter (OTC) drugs in the country. But just because it is common that it is always sure to take.

“Ibuprofen is used so frequently because it works effectively, it can be absorbed quickly and is available everywhere. To be fair, the occasional dose (once or twice a week, or just after an injury) generally does not cause big problems, ” pain expert Thomas Pontinen , MD. "The problem takes two, maybe three, tablets each morning" just in case "or reach it after each minor pain."

"What most people do not realize is that chronic use, even in" safe "over-the-counter doses from 400 to 600 milligrams per day, builds a slow and cumulative toll," he continues. "This kind of routine always puts pressure on your organs, and you don't need to burst eight pills a day to end up in trouble. I saw people ending up with an acute kidney lesion after only taking two advil tablets per day for three weeks in a row."

In advance, doctors explain all ways in which Advil taking too regularly can wreak havoc on your health.

In relation: Doctors warn that the popular med is "the most dangerous over -the -counter medication".

With regard to the overuse of ibuprofen, Pontinen says that your kidneys are particularly vulnerable.

"NSAIDs restrict blood flow through the renal arteries, which over time alters the filtration process, and this can mean a drop in renal function on prolonged use, even with regular low-dose use," he said.

"It may not be a big problem at 28, but at 48, add a certain dehydration, high blood pressure or other health complications, and you could risk a chronic kidney disease," he adds.

"The average person taking daily ibuprofen without food mainly the protective mucus layer in the stomach and the small intestine," warns Pontinen. "This can cause bleeding or ulcers, even without symptoms."

"Many chronic ibuprofen users think that if they do not feel stomach burns, they are clear, but that is not exact at all," he adds. "I have seen patients whose hemoglobin levels fell significantly in a few months, without any bleeding or external symptom, after taking NSAIDs daily."

"Nor is it unusual for someone on chronic NSAIDs to need two or three additional days at the hospital just to stabilize after a complication," notes Pontinen. "NSAIDs put thousands of people in hospital each year."

In relation: What's going on if you take Benadryl before going to bed every night, say the doctors .

"For people diagnosed with conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or irritable colon syndrome (IBS), even regular doses of ibuprofen can cause pushes and cause blood in stool, abdominal pain and other gast symptoms Rani Aravamudhan , MD, principal medical director of Nomi Health .

If these conditions aggravate, microscopic and slow bleeding of the stomach and intestines could develop over time, which puts you at risk of developing iron anemia.

John-Paul Andersen , PHD, the main pharmaceutical scientist at Health phi , warns that the long -term use of ibuprofen can also contribute to heart problems.

"Research shows that the use of chronic NSAIDs can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke," he explains. "This increase in risk even applies to people without previous heart disease, although it is greater for those with heart disease."

"In particular, serious cardiovascular side effects can occur in the first weeks of the daily use of ibuprofen, and the risk continues to increase more than you take," he continues. "Regular ibuprofen has also been associated with higher blood pressure and even heart failure in sensitive individuals."

In fact, in the past 20 years, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has expressed warnings twice that NSAIDs can increase the chances of a heart attack or a stroke.

In relation: Experts warn that common drugs can be linked to the risk of dementia .

If you take Advil often to treat the headaches, it could actually turn around.

"The frequent use of pain relievers, including ibuprofen, can lead to a" rebound "or headache on drugs over time," explains Andersen.

According to Mayo clinic , support symptoms may include nausea, agitation, concentration problems or irritability. However, they note that "the headache of the overlying of drugs disappear most often after stopping the pain of the pain".

Tinnitus, or ring in the ear, is a frustrating condition that affects 15 to 20% of people, especially the elderly, according to Mayo clinic .

Although it is often caused by a hearing loss linked to age or an ear injury, it can also be caused by circulatory problems.

Bayo Curry-Winchell , Md, medical director For the Saint Mary emergency care group in Reno, Nevada, says Best life Taking the ibuprofen for an extended period can cause tinnitus by "reducing the amount of blood flowing towards the inner ear".

Of course, before taking a new medication, always talk to your doctor.

"The lesson here is simple - it is perfectly sure to use the over -the -counter ibuprofen for a headache or a fever or after a minor injury for a few days at a time," explains Aravamudhan. "If the pain, inflammation or fever is not resolved within 5-7 days following the taking of the over-the-counter ibuprofen, it is preferable to speak to a doctor or another health care provider to ensure that more in-depth research and examination are carried out for an appropriate diagnosis."

"In such cases, where anti-inflammatory therapy in the longer term is necessary, it is essential that people follow the orders of their doctor and are monitored appropriately," she adds.