In a typical Chinese home, we often find a small tin box containing several white pills called "headache powder". For many middle-aged and elderly people, this is not just a medicine, but more like a habit, an immediate emergency plan in case of headache and fever. But behind this seemingly ordinary habit lies a growing concern among doctors.
Remember there is such a true story:Uncle Zhang, a 60-year-old retired worker, has relied on "headache powder" for years to relieve his chronic headaches. He often said, "This medicine is cheap and easy to use, and it will work as soon as you take it." However, as time went on, Uncle Zhang began to have stomach pain, indigestion and other problems. Eventually, on the advice of his doctor, he underwent a series of tests, and the results were shocking - the long-term use of "headache powder" not only caused serious damage to his stomach, but also put a non-negligible burden on his liver and kidney function.
"Headache powder", behind this well-known name, is actually a combination of several different drugs. The main ingredients usually include aspirin, paracetamol and caffeine. Each of these three ingredients has its own specific mechanism of action and works together to alleviate pain.
Aspirin: anti-inflammatory and analgesic
Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins, a chemical that produces inflammation in the body. This mechanism makes aspirin effective in relieving pain in the short term while reducing inflammation.
Acetaminophen: central analgesia
Acetaminophen plays a role mainly in the brain, regulating body temperature and enhancing the analgesic effects of aspirin. The specific mechanism of action is to reduce pain sensation by influencing the transmission of pain signals in the brain.
Caffeine: Enhances efficacy
The role of caffeine in this combination is mainly to enhance the effects of other ingredients. It indirectly enhances the analgesic effect by promoting vasoconstriction and reducing blood flow in the area of inflammation. In addition, caffeine boosts the spirits and fights pain-induced burnout.
This complex formula is designed so that "Headache Powder" has shown good results in relieving common pains such as headaches, toothaches, and joint pain. However, as with any drug, their effects are not completely harmless. Especially when used for a long time or improperly, these ingredients can cause irreversible damage to the body.
Hidden injury of the gastrointestinal tract
Long-term use of "headache powder" may lead to damage to the gastric mucosa. Certain ingredients in this medicine inhibit a chemical called prostaglandins, which play an important role in protecting the stomach lining and maintaining stomach acid balance. When the production of prostaglandins is inhibited, stomach acid can damage the stomach lining, triggering gastritis and even stomach ulcers. Long-term use may also cause symptoms such as indigestion, abdominal pain, and even stomach bleeding in severe cases.
Silent burden of liver and kidney function
The ingredients of "headache powder" are mainly metabolized in the body by the liver, and long-term use in large quantities may increase the burden on the liver and lead to abnormal liver function. The kidneys, which are important organs for drug metabolism, are also affected. Long-term overdose may lead to decreased kidney function and even kidney disease. Especially for people with pre-existing liver and kidney insufficiency, it should be used with caution.
Potential increase in cardiovascular risk
Some studies have shown that long-term use of certain ingredients in "headache powder" may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. This is because these components may affect the blood's clotting function and increase the likelihood of hardening of the arteries. This risk is especially pronounced in people with a history of cardiovascular disease.
Concerns about psychological dependence
In addition, long-term dependence on "headache powder" can lead to psychological dependence. Some people may become accustomed to taking medication at the slightest discomfort, neglecting the importance of finding the root cause of their condition. This over-reliance not only does not help with health management, but may mask early signs of more serious health problems.
Older adults: concerns about increased drug sensitivity
In older people, systemic circulation and metabolic function decline with age. This means that the same dose of "headache powder" may work for longer and more intensely in the body of the elderly than in the younger people. The increased sensitivity of this drug makes the elderly more likely to experience stomach upset, gastrointestinal bleeding, etc. when using "headache powder". What's more, older people often have a variety of diseases, such as abnormal glucose metabolism (diabetes) and increased blood pressure in the systemic arteries (hypertension), which may interact with the adverse effects of "headache powder" and exacerbate health risks.
Patients with chronic diseases: a potential crisis of drug interactions
For people with chronic diseases, especially those who are taking multiple medications, the use of "headache powder" may lead to adverse drug-drug interactions. For example, certain ingredients in "headache powder" may reduce the effectiveness of certain heart medications or increase the risk of bleeding from anticoagulant medications. In addition, long-term use of "headache powder" may adversely affect liver and kidney function, especially in patients with chronic diseases with pre-existing liver and kidney insufficiency. Therefore, when prescribing for this particular population, doctors often carefully consider the choice and dosage of the drug to avoid possible risks.