Introduction
The beer after work, the wine to relax or a few drinks at the weekend. For many people, this is part of the package, as are painkillers such as ibuprofen, paracetamol or Aspirin® for headaches or other complaints. Once the pain is gone, the medication is often forgotten in the evening.
However, the dangers of taking painkillers together with alcohol consumption are not harmless. It is often heard that the effect of the alcohol is intensified if you take additional painkillers. “That is not good” – is also often heard in this context.
But why is the combination of alcohol and painkillers not a good idea? What can happen if alcohol and painkillers are taken together? How much alcohol does it become harmful?
Painkillers and alcohol – is that possible?
Alcohol and painkillers should not be taken together and certainly not over a long period of time. Single mishaps also damage the liver, but not to the extent that the damage is irreversible. However, the liver can be damaged by prolonged use of only one of the two substances (alcohol or painkillers).
It goes without saying that this effect is intensified if both potential toxins are taken at the same time. Some painkillers have a blood-thinning effect, so the blood coagulates more slowly. If you then drink alcohol, it will cause the alcohol to be distributed more quickly in the body. This means that the effect of the alcohol is quicker. It has to be said that it is not recommended to take alcohol and painkillers at the same time at any dosage and at any time.
Risks
The separate risks of the two substances are not insignificant. The risks of excessive alcohol consumption are obvious: alcohol can be addictive, it is an addictive substance, just like cigarettes or drugs. In addition to the addiction, the liver is particularly damaged; this damage is described in more detail under “Effects on the liver” (see below).
In addition, the brain is also affected by excessive alcohol consumption. Every state of intoxication leads to the death of a great many brain cells. In the case of long-term excessive consumption of alcohol, cell death therefore leads to a reduction in memory and concentration.
In addition to intelligence, one also loses one’s ability to judge. The mental degradation caused by alcohol abuse should not be underestimated, and fatigue and listlessness also occur. This tiredness can be increased by taking painkillers.
The abdominal organs are also attacked by the alcohol: Alcohol damages the stomach lining and the pancreas. In both organs, acute and chronic inflammation can occur, which is associated with severe pain. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach can lead to lesions (“ulcers”; med: ulcers) of the mucous membrane and bleeding of vessels in the stomach, which is a potentially life-threatening condition.
At this point painkillers also have a damaging effect. Due to their blood-thinning effect and inhibition of various enzymes, painkillers, just like alcohol, increase the risk of developing gastric mucosal inflammation and the development of gastritis. Thus, in addition to liver damage, the gastrointestinal tract is also affected by the damaging effect of both substances. It goes without saying that these side effects or risks occur more quickly and are more serious when the substances are taken at the same time.
