Many Swedes use painkillers regularly, which according to experts can lead to serious health problems. Sometimes they can even do more harm than good, and the risks increase if the tablets are taken too often.
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14 percent of Swedes take painkillers often
According to a new survey from Sifo, commissioned by Apoteket Hjärtat, 14 percent of Swedes take painkillers several times a week. This is a worrying trend because overuse of painkillers can lead to side effects and long-term health problems.
A common misconception is that regular intake of headache tablets can prevent or prevent headaches. But experts warn that it can instead worsen the problems.
– If you take painkillers every day to prevent headaches, the body can get used to it, which can actually create even more headaches, says the pharmacist Ida Andersson in an interview in Swedish Radio.
14 percent of Swedes take painkillers often. Photo: Nora Lorek/TT
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Then pain pills can do more harm than good
Regularly using painkillers for prevention or taking them for a longer period can cause more than just increased pain. NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory drugs) that are often used to relieve pain can cause serious side effects. They can, for example, irritate the stomach lining and lead to ulcers, as well as negatively affect blood pressure.
– It is important to be aware that NSAIDs can cause long-term damage, such as high blood pressure and stomach ulcers, says Andersson.
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