The case in summary: The hospital in Vestfold receives around three patients a week aged 12 to 16 who have overdosed on Paracetamol. The head doctor at the hospital wants to inform about this growing trend which can cause permanent damage. The symptoms of overdose may appear more than a day later, and the antidote should be given within 8 hours of ingestion. Over 2,000 people approached the Poisons Information Center about overdoses with painkillers in 2022, a large increase from 12 years earlier. An increase in young patients who have overdosed on painkillers is also reported at the hospital in Telemark and Ullevål hospital. Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about the dangers of taking too many painkillers. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – We focus on helping these young people, who in a desperate cry for help have chosen this solution to get attention for themselves. That’s according to senior doctor Morten Falke at the children’s and youth department at the hospital in Tønsberg. The superintendent will inform parents and young people about the growing trend, which in the worst case can cause lasting damage. Senior doctor Morten Falke at the Hospital in Vestfold. Photo: H. Philip Hofgaard / news Increased intake Several of those treated at the children’s clinic have taken too much Paracetamol, which is found in medicines such as Paracet, Pinex, Panodil and other painkillers. These are over-the-counter and may seem harmless, but in the worst case can lead to death. There have been cases where help has come too late, says manager Vidar Ruddox at the emergency center at Sykehuset in Vestfold. – Fortunately, we have an antidote, but in that case it didn’t help, he says. Doctor and manager at the emergency center at the Hospital in Vestfold, Vidar Ruddox. Photo: Mette Stensholt Schau / news If you suspect that the young person has taken too many painkillers, you should seek help as soon as possible, he advises. The symptoms of overdose can appear more than a day later, and this can be a problem because the antidote should be given within 8 hours of ingestion. After several overdoses at secondary schools in Tønsberg recently, the municipality has now sent out a letter to parents in 6th to 10th grade. Read the entire letter further down in the matter. There is an antidote, but it should be given as soon as possible. Photo: Philip Hofgaard / news Increases throughout the country Over 2,000 contacted the Poison Information Center about overdoses with painkillers in 2022. 12 years earlier, the number was less than half, writes FHI. In the age groups 10 to 19, the increase is even greater. Over the past 12 years, the number has nearly tripled, from 367 to 1,038 cases. news has been in contact with the largest hospitals in Norway to find out if they are familiar with the problem. – Not unusual The Hospital in Telemark replies that they are also experiencing an increase in young patients who have overdosed on painkillers. In 2020 there were 5 cases, while there were 25 in 2022. It is also not unusual for such overdoses at the children’s clinic at Ullevål Hospital. According to senior doctor Astrid Rojahn, it fluctuates from 0 to over 3 cases a week. It has been a long time since the children’s and youth clinic at Stavanger University Hospital received any patients with an overdose of paracetamol. – They had a period last year with several admissions, writes communications adviser Lisa Aasbø. At St. Olav’s hospital in Trondheim, they see no increasing trend. The Innlandet Hospital, which rarely has such cases, answers the same. Every week, three patients aged 12 to 16 arrive at the hospital in Vestfold who have overdosed on painkillers. Photo: Philip Hofgaard / news Talk about it Parents are encouraged to talk to their youngsters about the dangers of taking too many painkillers. Do you need someone to talk to about this? If you suspect poisoning – call 113 quickly Talk to an adult you are safe with or to the health nurse at school There are many different helplines: Mental health has, for example, a chat for young people Ung.no is a good site for information HelseNorge has many different help services It is important that children and young people have this knowledge, emphasizes the head of education in Tønsberg municipality. – There are no guarantees that you will recover completely if you overdose on drugs, writes municipal manager Espen I. Riiser. Here you can read the entire letter: To parents and guardians at the schools in Tønsberg (6th-10th grade) Harmful use of painkillers There seems to be a growing trend among young people to take large doses of painkillers in order to harm themselves . This is a national phenomenon, and recently several young people in Tønsberg have been admitted to hospital after taking harmful doses of paracetamol and ibuprofen. These are the active ingredients in common painkillers such as Paracet, Pinex and Ibux. Both the municipality and the Hospital in Vestfold are very concerned. Now the schools and support services are working together across the board to reverse the trend. Who does it apply to? Drug overdose appears to be a phenomenon at all secondary schools in Tønsberg. This does not only apply to children and young people who already receive help or health services from the municipality. There may be several explanations why young people choose to take harmful doses of painkillers. For some, it may be about mental health challenges. In several cases, it seems to be about a need to be seen. Many of those who have been cared for by the healthcare system have shared videos and photos on social media. What can parents and guardians do? We encourage parents and guardians to talk to their children about the use of medication. Overdosing can cause lasting health damage and severely impaired quality of life. Both the liver and kidneys can be damaged, and there is no guarantee that you will recover completely if you overdose on medicines. It is important that children and young people have this knowledge. It is general advice that parents and guardians are present in children’s lives as safe adults. It is important to talk to children and young people about how they feel in everyday life. We encourage parents and guardians to also be aware of how medicines are stored at home. If you are worried about your child, there are many people you can contact for help: Health nurse Preventive childcare The administration at the school Familiehuset More about paracetamol Paracetamol is the medicine that most often poses a risk of moderate or severe poisoning. Overdose can lead to nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. It can lead to permanent health damage (preferably liver damage, but also kidney failure), liver coma and the need for a liver transplant. The risk of health damage increases with repeated overdose. According to FHI, more than 70 per cent of the girls who had taken paracetamol to harm themselves needed follow-up in hospital. Serious poisoning requiring hospitalization is also possible with an overdose of ibuprofen. It is never a good idea to overdose on medicines. Permanent liver damage is a major burden for the rest of life, with a greatly affected quality of life. There are no guarantees that you will recover completely if you overdose on medication. Sincerely, Espen I. Riiser, municipal manager upbringing and learning Have you or your child experienced this? I would like to hear from you if you have experience that you would like to share on this topic.
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Increase in overdose of painkillers among young people – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
