You may have had a cold and started to panic, increasing the dosage of various cold medicines and taking them together. Recently, there have been reports online about cases of liver and kidney failure caused by excessive intake of cold medicines. Is it true that taking cold medicines indiscriminately can cause kidney failure? Let's explore some knowledge about the use of cold medicines!
【Can indiscriminate use of cold medicines cause kidney failure?】
Around 20-25% of acute kidney failure cases are caused by drug damage, posing a serious threat to health. In addition to anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, cases of acute renal dysfunction or failure caused by indiscriminate use of painkillers also exist. Therefore, after experiencing a cold, it is important not to self-medicate indiscriminately to avoid harming the kidneys.
Medications are not food, and each medication has strict dosage and usage instructions that we must follow. So, which medications are more likely to cause kidney failure?
1. Antibiotics such as gentamicin and tetracycline have the greatest renal toxicity and are prone to drug-induced kidney damage.
2. Fever-reducing and pain-relieving medications like aspirin, paracetamol, and ibuprofen also have certain renal toxicity, and excessive intake can easily cause kidney damage.
【10 Medication Knowledge to Remember】
1. Amino acids: Excessive intake increases the burden on the liver and kidneys.
Amino acids are mainly used in clinical practice for patients with severe malnutrition or those who cannot obtain sufficient protein through diet or oral supplementation.
However, if a normal diet can provide enough protein, there is no need for intravenous administration of amino acids. Excessive intake of amino acids cannot be utilized by the body and will only increase the burden on the liver and kidneys.
2. Cough medicine: Excitement can occur if more than 60 ml is taken at once.
Compound codeine phosphate oral solution contains codeine and ephedrine. Taking more than 60 ml at once can cause excitement and restlessness in some people. Large doses can produce euphoria and hallucinations. Normal use does not lead to addiction.
3. Nasal drops: Long-term use can be harmful.
When you have a cold, don't buy nasal drops on your own. Long-term use of nasal vasoconstrictors can keep the blood vessels in the nasal mucosa in a constricted state, leading to local mucosal tissue proliferation and drug-induced rhinitis. Prolonged use can also cause dependence.
4. Asthma inhalers: Proper usage is important.
Inhalers are emergency medications and should not be used long-term without symptoms, as it can lead to drug resistance. After using an inhaler, rinse your mouth with water immediately to reduce or avoid local adverse reactions and minimize systemic adverse reactions caused by absorption of the drug from the mouth and throat.
5. Throat lozenges: Excessive intake can trigger oral diseases.
If you frequently consume throat lozenges when there is no inflammation in the mouth or when the cause of inflammation is unclear, it can inhibit and kill normal oral bacteria, which may lead to oral ulcers, tonsillitis, and other diseases.
Many throat lozenges contain menthol, which has a cooling nature and can exacerbate spleen and stomach deficiency, causing diarrhea and even miscarriage in pregnant women.
6. Compound Glycyrrhiza Tablets: Should not be taken for more than 7 days continuously.
These tablets require a prescription to purchase, and their use should be guided by a pharmacist. The prescribed dosage should not exceed 3 days, and continuous use should not exceed 7 days. Alternatively, other expectorant cough medicines can be used instead of compound glycyrrhiza tablets.
7. Cephalosporin antibiotics: No alcohol for 7 days after discontinuation.
When taking cephalosporin antibiotics, alcohol should be avoided, and for 7 days after discontinuation, any contact with alcohol or consumption of alcoholic beverages or foods containing ethanol, such as liqueur chocolates, Huoxiang Zhengqi water, or fermented vinegar, should be avoided to prevent toxic reactions.
8. Topical corticosteroids: Must not be used indiscriminately.
Topical medications containing corticosteroids, such as pastes, emulsions, oils, and ointments, should generally be used 1-2 times a day to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. The concentration of the medication should be lower for larger skin lesions, and it is best to use the medication every other day for long-term use.
9. Painkillers: Pay attention to distinguishing symptoms and avoid indiscriminate use.
Different medications can cause gastric mucosal damage, kidney damage, and even cardiovascular diseases. Long-term indiscriminate use of painkillers can lead to psychological dependence. If painkillers mask underlying conditions such as cancer, it may delay the best treatment time.
If mild pain with a clear cause persists after three days of continuous medication, it is necessary to go to the hospital for further examination.
10. Vitamins: Overdosing can turn them into "poisons".
Healthy individuals with regular diets generally do not need vitamin supplementation. It is best not to take any one type of vitamin continuously for more than five days.
Fat-soluble vitamins are excreted from the body at a slower rate, and excessive intake increases the risk of toxicity.
Excessive supplementation of vitamin A in infants and young children can cause symptoms such as vomiting and dry skin, and even increased intracranial pressure. Excessive intake of vitamin D can cause premature closure of the epiphyseal plate in children, affecting bone development.
【Daily Care for Kidney Health】
1. Maintain a regular lifestyle.
People with irregular lifestyles, such as staying up all night singing karaoke, playing mahjong, or staying out late, tend to have an acidic constitution, making them susceptible to diabetes. Developing good lifestyle habits can help maintain a weak alkaline constitution and keep kidney disease at bay.
2. Engage in aerobic exercise.
Proper exercise, sweating in the sunlight, can help eliminate excess acid substances in the body and prevent kidney disease.
3. Maintain a good mood.
Avoid excessive psychological stress, as excessive stress can lead to the accumulation of acidic substances and disrupt normal metabolism. Appropriate adjustment of mood and self-pressure can help maintain a weak alkaline constitution and prevent kidney disease.
4. Control dietary structure.
Avoid excessive intake of acidic substances, which can worsen an acidic constitution. The acid-alkaline balance in diet is crucial for the treatment of diabetes and prevention of complications.
