The pharmacologist warned about the consequences due to the frequent use of painkillers.

Uncontrolled intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can lead to drug-induced gastric ulcer, which is dangerous with the possibility of intracavitary bleeding. Associate Professor of the Department of Therapy at the Medical Faculty of the State University of Education, pharmacologist Konstantin Usov, told Izvestia about this on June 27.

Rehabilitologist and TV presenter Sergey Agapkin, in turn, noted that people often take NSAIDs on their own when they have headaches. However, according to him, the abuse of this group of drugs increases a person's risk of cataracts in old age. In addition, men who regularly take these painkillers may experience prostate diseases in the future.

Meanwhile, Usov said that there are no direct links between the use of NSAIDs and cataracts, as well as prostate diseases. However, the pharmacologist warned that frequent use of painkillers really harms the body. He drew attention to the fact that many people consider them harmless enough and use them uncontrollably. Usov also clarified that the group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs includes the most popular painkillers.

"The main side effect of most NSAIDs is toxic effects on the stomach. Those who already have problems with the gastrointestinal tract should be especially careful: gastritis, erosions, and so on, since taking NSAIDs can worsen the situation," Usov warned.

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Some NSAIDs may have a hepatotoxic effect on the liver, while others may have a nephrotoxic effect. The pharmacologist clarified: prolonged uncontrolled intake can provoke arterial hypertension, that is, an increase in blood pressure. In addition, NSAIDs can cause peripheral edema, again due to their negative effect on the kidneys, because nonsteroidal drugs reduce glomerular filtration and cause drug—induced renal nephritis.

"Due to this, as well as due to water and sodium retention, blood pressure can also rise. When using NSAIDs, allergic reactions are possible, for example, a rash. Children can develop aspirin asthma on aspirin," the expert warned.

However, according to him, NSAIDs have a side effect on the blood — they can disrupt its coagulability, cause leukopenia, a blood disease characterized by a decrease in the number of white blood cells and leading to disruption of the body's immune processes.

It is also important that long-term use of NSAIDs for a number of joint diseases can only be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

"We also need to take into account that NSAIDs as painkillers are usually symptomatic drugs that act on nociceptors — pain receptors, but do not treat the cause of the same headache. But it is necessary to find out the cause of the pain and treat the disease, not its symptoms. If the headache is due to migraines, special medications are needed - triptans, if as a result of high blood pressure — medications that lower blood pressure," the pharmacologist explained.

He added: there are no harmless medicines for headaches. As non—medical methods, relaxation can be offered: lying down in a dark room in silence, taking relaxing and soothing tea, as well as massaging the collar area - quite often headaches are caused by muscle clamps, which, in turn, cause vasospasm and compression of nerve endings.

On June 23, Evgenia Bogaevskaya, a cardiologist at the UNKP-Med Medical Center, told Izvestia what methods could be used to prevent sudden cardiac death. According to her, in 22% of cases, the cause of the tragedy is sudden arrhythmic death, an insidious condition that often develops against the background of undiagnosed heart diseases.