Health experts are raising concerns over the growing habit of self-medication in India, especially the frequent use of over-the-counter painkillers and supplements without proper medical supervision.

From headaches and body pain to fatigue and immunity boosting, many people now rely on quick-fix medicines daily. However, doctors warn that excessive use of common painkillers and health supplements may silently damage vital organs like the kidneys and liver over time.

Why Self-Medication Is Increasing in India

According to doctors, several factors are driving this trend:

• Easy availability of medicines
• Social media health trends
• Online fitness advice
• Viral supplement culture after the pandemic
• Busy lifestyles leading to “quick relief” habits

Many people now consume:

• Painkillers
• Multivitamins
• Protein supplements
• Immunity boosters
  without understanding proper dosage or long-term risks.

Doctors Warn Against Unsupervised Supplement Use

According to Dr Simon Thomas, many people take supplements regularly without medical advice in hopes of improving:

• Fitness
• Energy levels
• Immunity
• Muscle recovery

However, excessive supplement intake may lead to serious side effects.

Health Risks Linked to Excessive Supplements

Doctors say overuse of supplements can cause:

• Nausea
• Gastritis
• Kidney stones
• Skin allergies and rashes
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Organ damage in severe cases

Experts also note that many young adults began depending heavily on:

• Gummies
• Protein powders
• Multivitamins
  after viral online health trends surged post-pandemic.

Common Painkillers Doctors Are Concerned About

Medical experts are especially warning against frequent use of common NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), including:

• Ibuprofen
• Paracetamol
• Diclofenac
• Aceclofenac

These are commonly used for:

• Headaches
• Fever
• Back pain
• Joint pain
• Body aches
• How Painkiller Overuse Can Harm the Body

Doctors warn that frequent or long-term use may increase the risk of: Kidney Damage

Painkillers can reduce blood flow to the kidneys and gradually weaken kidney function.

🫀 Liver Injury

Excessive use of certain medicines, especially paracetamol, may stress the liver and increase the risk of liver toxicity.

Stomach Bleeding

Some NSAIDs may damage the stomach lining and increase the risk of:

• Acidity
• Ulcers
• Internal bleeding

Heart & Blood Pressure Problems

Long-term misuse may also contribute to:

• High blood pressure
• Increased cardiovascular risks

Hidden Danger: Masking Serious Diseases

Doctors also caution that repeatedly taking painkillers can:

• Temporarily suppress symptoms
• Delay diagnosis of underlying illnesses

This means conditions like:

• Arthritis
• Infections
• Kidney disease
• Chronic inflammation

may remain undetected for longer periods.

People at Higher Risk

Medical professionals say the dangers of self-medication are even greater for:

• Elderly individuals
• Pregnant women
• Children
• People with existing kidney or liver conditions

These groups should avoid taking medicines without proper consultation.

Why Internet Advice Can Be Dangerous

Experts stress that:

• Online videos and social media trends cannot replace professional diagnosis.

A medicine or supplement that works for one person may not be safe for another due to:

• Existing health conditions
• Dosage differences
• Drug interactions

As doctors explain:

Safe Practices Doctors Recommend

To avoid long-term complications, experts advise:

• Do not take painkillers daily without medical advice
• Follow recommended dosage limits
• Avoid mixing multiple supplements unnecessarily
• Get regular kidney and liver function tests if using medicines frequently
• Consult a doctor if symptoms persist for more than a few days

Final Takeaway

While over-the-counter painkillers and supplements may offer quick relief, excessive and unsupervised use can quietly damage the body over time.

Doctors emphasize that prevention, moderation, and professional guidance are essential to protecting long-term kidney and liver health.

Night shifts have become a routine part of modern work culture, especially among healthcare professionals, IT employees, factory workers, customer support staff, and emergency service providers. While many people adapt to irregular schedules for professional demands, medical experts warn that consistently disrupting the body’s natural sleep cycle may affect long-term health in ways that go beyond simple fatigue.

Researchers have spent years studying whether prolonged night shift work could increase the risk of serious illnesses, including certain cancers. Although scientists have not established a direct cause-and-effect relationship, doctors say the combination of poor sleep, circadian disruption, hormonal imbalance, and unhealthy lifestyle patterns linked to night work may gradually impact overall health.

The Body’s Internal Clock Matters More Than We Think

According to Dr Surender Kumar Dabas, Oncosurgeon and Chairman at Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Centre, the human body operates on a natural internal timing system known as the circadian rhythm.

This biological clock regulates:

• Sleep and wake cycles
• Hormone release
• Metabolism
• Cell repair
• Immune system function

When people work overnight or sleep at inconsistent times for long periods, this rhythm becomes disrupted.

Experts believe this disruption may affect:

• DNA repair processes
• Cellular regeneration
• Hormonal balance
• Inflammation control
• Immune response

Over time, these changes may contribute to increased vulnerability to various health conditions.

Is There Really a Link Between Night Shifts and Cancer?

Several international studies have explored the possible connection between long-term shift work and cancer risk, particularly breast cancer.

Some occupational health research has suggested that:

• prolonged night shift work
• repeated sleep disruption
• exposure to artificial light at night

may be associated with higher cancer risk in certain individuals.

However, scientists caution that the evidence remains inconclusive.

According to experts, current research has:

• shown mixed findings
• failed to establish definitive causation
• highlighted the need for further long-term studies

Some meta-analyses have found no strong or consistent evidence directly linking night shifts to cancer development.

Lifestyle Changes May Be the Bigger Concern

Doctors say night shifts may indirectly affect health by altering daily habits and routines.

Irregular work schedules often lead to:

• Poor eating habits
• Lack of exercise
• Increased stress
• Weight gain
• Insufficient sleep
• Higher caffeine and junk food consumption

These factors are already known contributors to chronic illnesses such as:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Hypertension
• Certain cancers

Experts believe the overall lifestyle pattern associated with long-term shift work may play a more significant role than night work alone.

The Role of Light Exposure and Melatonin

Another area researchers continue to examine is the relationship between artificial light exposure and melatonin production.

Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the body during darkness and helps regulate sleep cycles.

According to doctors:

• exposure to bright light at night may suppress melatonin production
• reduced melatonin levels could potentially influence hormone regulation and immune function

Some researchers believe this may partly explain why disrupted sleep patterns are being investigated in relation to cancer risk.

Long-Term Sleep Disruption Can Affect Overall Health

Health experts warn that years of poor sleep and irregular schedules may gradually impact physical and mental well-being.

Possible long-term effects include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Reduced immunity
• Hormonal imbalance
• Digestive issues
• Mood disorders
• Increased metabolic risk

People who have worked night shifts consistently since a young age may face greater challenges maintaining balanced health over time.

How Night Shift Workers Can Protect Their Health

Doctors recommend that people working irregular schedules prioritise recovery and preventive healthcare.

Helpful habits include:

• Maintaining a fixed sleep routine whenever possible
• Creating a dark, quiet sleeping environment
• Eating balanced meals
• Exercising regularly
• Staying hydrated
• Limiting processed food and caffeine
• Scheduling regular health check-ups

Sleep quality, experts say, should be treated as seriously as diet and exercise.

The Bigger Picture

While science has not conclusively proven that night shifts directly cause cancer, doctors agree that long-term sleep disruption and unhealthy lifestyle patterns can negatively affect overall health.

The conversation around shift work is no longer just about tiredness—it is increasingly about understanding how modern work schedules interact with the body’s natural biological systems.

Because even when routines change, the body continues to keep track of stress, recovery, and rest over time.

At the prestigious Gold House Gala 2026 in New York City, Priyanka Chopra Jonas once again turned heads with a couture look that beautifully merged Indian heritage with contemporary design.

Designed by celebrated couturier Amit Aggarwal in collaboration with celebrity stylist Ami Patel, the custom ensemble celebrated not only Priyanka’s global journey but also the enduring legacy of Indian craftsmanship.

The appearance marked a symbolic moment as Priyanka completed 25 years in the public eye, evolving from a Bollywood star to a globally recognised actor, producer, and cultural icon.

Inspired by Lucknow’s Chikankari Heritage

The couture creation drew inspiration from the timeless artistry of Chikankari, the centuries-old embroidery tradition associated with Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.

According to the design narrative, the delicate transparency and flow of Chikankari symbolised Priyanka herself:

• evolving constantly
• crossing boundaries
• carrying Indian identity onto the global stage

The ensemble aimed to reinterpret traditional Indian embroidery through a futuristic couture lens while preserving its emotional and cultural depth.

Crafted From a 20-Year-Old Saree

One of the most remarkable aspects of the outfit was its foundation.

The couture piece was reportedly created using a two-decade-old Chikankari saree, which was carefully restored, reconstructed, and transformed into a modern couture silhouette over several months.

The use of archival textile added emotional value to the look, turning it into more than just a red-carpet ensemble—it became a tribute to memory, legacy, and sustainability in fashion.

Women Artisans Worked on the Ensemble by Hand

Over the course of nearly one and a half months, women artisans across generations worked meticulously on the embroidery and detailing entirely by hand.

The outfit featured:

• Intricate hand embroidery
• Structural corsetry
• Glass beadwork
• Rubber cording
• Industrial material detailing

The final silhouette balanced softness with strength, blending fluid traditional textiles with sculptural modern construction.

Mughal Architecture Meets Futuristic Couture

The design language also drew heavily from:

• Mughal jali architecture
• Parametric design structures
• DNA helix-inspired patterns

Radiating motifs across the ivory-toned ensemble were designed to resemble sunlight emerging from intricate geometric forms.

This interplay between heritage embroidery and futuristic architecture created a look that felt both timeless and experimental.

Amit Aggarwal on Designing the Look

Speaking about the couture creation, Amit Aggarwal described the ensemble as a visual interpretation of Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ personal and professional evolution.

According to the designer, the goal was to express:

• identity
• resilience
• femininity
• transformation

through “craft, form, and emotion.”

He explained that the translucent textiles paired with strong structural elements symbolised “softness and resilience coexisting simultaneously.”

More Than a Fashion Moment

Priyanka’s Gold Gala appearance quickly became one of the most talked-about celebrity fashion moments of the year—not only for its visual impact but also for the story behind it.

The ensemble highlighted:

• Indian textile heritage
• The contribution of women artisans
• Sustainable couture practices
• The global relevance of traditional craftsmanship

At a time when fashion increasingly embraces cultural storytelling, Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ look stood as a reminder that heritage and innovation can coexist beautifully on the international stage.

A Celebration of Indian Craftsmanship

Somewhere between centuries-old embroidery and futuristic couture architecture, the look captured a larger message:
traditional Indian craftsmanship continues to evolve without losing its soul.

And at the Gold Gala 2026, Priyanka Chopra Jonas carried that story elegantly onto one of the world’s most visible cultural platforms.