Sleep Apnoea: Signs You Should Not Ignore, Even If You Sleep All Night

By LeadNG -
  By LEADNG | Health Education Writer Last updated: 14 October 2026 You went to bed early, slept for several hours and woke up expecting to feel refreshed. Instead, you have a headache, your body feels heavy, and you struggle to stay alert during the day. You might blame your workload, the weather, stress or simply not getting enough rest. But what if you are spending enough time in bed and still not getting good-quality sleep? One possible explanation is sleep apnoea , a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Some people with sleep apnoea snore loudly or gasp for air at night. Others mainly notice daytime tiredness, difficulty concentrating or waking up feeling unrefreshed. These symptoms do not automatically mean you have sleep apnoea. However, recognising the pattern can help you know when to seek medical advice. What exactly is sleep apnoea? Sleep apnoea is a sleep-related breathing disorder. The most common type is obstructive sleep aponia, whic...
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The Dark Side of Paracetamol: What You Should Know About Acetaminophen Overdose

By LeadNG -


Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is one of the most commonly used medicines for relieving pain and reducing fever. Because it is easily available and familiar to many people, it can sometimes seem completely harmless.

But there is an important side of paracetamol that everyone should understand: taking too much can cause serious liver damage and, in severe cases, liver failure.

From Older Painkillers to Paracetamol

The history of pain-relief medicines includes drugs that were later found to have significant safety problems.

One example is phenacetin, an older painkiller that was associated with kidney damage after prolonged use. These safety concerns contributed to the search for safer alternatives, helping medicines such as paracetamol become increasingly popular.

Today, paracetamol is commonly used for headaches, fever, muscle aches, toothaches and other forms of mild-to-moderate pain.

Why Can Paracetamol Damage the Liver?

Under normal circumstances, the liver processes paracetamol safely.

However, when excessive amounts are taken, the body produces increasing amounts of a toxic substance called NAPQI (N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine).

Normally, the body neutralizes NAPQI using a protective substance called glutathione.

The problem occurs when an overdose produces more NAPQI than the body's protective system can handle.

As glutathione becomes depleted, NAPQI can begin damaging liver cells.

The Danger of an Overdose

One of the concerning aspects of paracetamol poisoning is that a person may not immediately realize how serious the situation is.

Early symptoms can be relatively nonspecific and may include:

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Abdominal discomfort

  • Loss of appetite

  • Feeling generally unwell

Severe poisoning can eventually result in acute liver injury or liver failure.

This is why suspected paracetamol overdose should be treated as a medical emergency rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe.

A Medicine Being Common Doesn't Mean It Is Risk-Free

Paracetamol can be an effective and useful medicine when taken according to the appropriate instructions.

The lesson isn't that people should be afraid of paracetamol. Rather, it is that dose matters.

People should carefully check the active ingredients of combination medicines because some cold, flu and pain products may also contain paracetamol/acetaminophen. Accidentally taking several products containing the same ingredient can increase the total dose.

What Should You Do If You Suspect an Overdose?

If someone may have taken more paracetamol than recommended, seek urgent medical attention or contact a poison/emergency service immediately, even if the person currently feels well.

Do not wait for serious symptoms to appear.

Early medical treatment can be important in preventing severe liver damage.

Final Takeaway

Paracetamol is a widely used medicine, but it should not be treated as completely harmless.

Its dark side becomes particularly important in overdose because of the toxic metabolite NAPQI, which can cause serious liver injury when the body's protective mechanisms are overwhelmed.

Always follow the dosage instructions on your medicine and check combination products carefully.

Health reminder: More medicine does not necessarily mean more relief. With medicines such as paracetamol, taking more than recommended can be dangerous.

Disclaimer

This article is for general health education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you suspect a medication overdose or poisoning, seek urgent medical attention immediately.

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