First Check came across a reel in which a popular social media health influencer, Dimple Jangda claims that painkillers can lead to a host of issues from cardiac to infertility. 

“Painkillers, they increase the risk of heart attack, cardiac health issues by almost 20%,” the influencer says. “So women who would take a lot of ibuprofen and painkillers during your period cramps, you’re actually increasing your risk of infertility, cardiac health issues, mental health issues (sic).” 

Painkillers, she adds, are neurotoxins, which kill the nervous system that transmits the message of pain from that part of the body to the brain. 

“You’re basically cutting off the communication and the conversation between the uterus and the brain, basically tricking your body into thinking there’s no pain happening here,” the influencer explains. “The pain is happening. The pain is basically a message, a communication from the body telling you that it needs attention ——- so instead of addressing the deficiency of the health issue and the root cause and the trigger, you’re basically suppressing it saying, “Shut Up!””

First Check identified multiple claims in this short video and fact-checked the accuracy of the claims. 

Claim 1: Painkillers (like ibuprofen) increase the risk of heart attack and cardiac health issues by almost 20%.

Fact: The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including ibuprofen) do increase the risk of heart attack. The US FDA does categorize drugs such as ibuprofen as agents that may lead to heart attacks or strokes. 

Claim 2: Women who take a lot of ibuprofen and painkillers during period cramps are increasing their risk of infertility.

Fact: False, this is incorrect and there are no studies supporting this. In fact, this  study states, “use of acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen was not appreciably associated with fecundability,” meaning these medications, such as “ibuprofen” do not lead to infertility. 

 Dr Juhi Bharti, a Prof at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at AIIMS New Delhi  dismisses any links between painkillers and infertility.

 “Painkillers cannot lead to infertility, they are safe but should not be taken by people themselves. Painkiller or any medicine needs to be taken only after a medical consultation,” Dr Bharti told First Check.

Claim 3: Painkillers are neurotoxins; they kill the nervous system that transmits pain messages, cutting off communication between the body and brain.

Fact: The claim, according to Dr Bharti, is wrong. “Painkillers are not neurotoxins, nor do they interfere with nerves. They function by inhibiting enzymes, the chemicals that are involved in pain. They block the production of those chemicals, but this has no neurological effect,” she said.

Dr Bharti, however, cautioned against consuming painkillers or ibuprofen and such medications without a doctor’s consultation. 

“Overdose is becoming a huge issue and we are facing it. This is extremely dangerous,” she said.

First Check concludes that the claims made in the video are misleading. Painkillers by themselves are not dangerous and do not cause any damage, but people need to be wary of taking them without a medical consultation. 

Also read: https://firstcheck.in/fact-check-can-putting-drops-of-heated-aloe-vera-into-ear-relieve-ear-pain/