For over a decade, acute and chronic back pain has been treated with opioid analgesics also known as opiates or narcotics (such as Percocet or Oxycontin), and nonopioid analgesic, including NSAID’s (such as Naproxen and Ibuprofen). On average, 182,727,272 opioid analgesic prescriptions are dispensed annually (Dal Pan, 2016). Unfortunately, each of which is accompanied by potentially serious adverse effects. Opioids serious side effects including respiratory depression, drowsiness, nausea, constipation, addiction, and ultimately death. Although constipation does not sound like a serious side effect, it does pose the potential for serious consequences. Because of the depressed peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract or ileus the patient can develop constipation or …show more content…
If not treated or treated ineffectively, this could progress to impaction or perforation of the bowel which can be lethal. Another series of serious side effects and current epidemics across the world is drug tolerance and addiction. If opioid consumption continues for extended periods of time, such is with chronic pain, a tolerance can develop; requiring higher and higher dose to obtain the same effect. These combined factors, chronic use and tolerance, as well as the feelings of euphoria resulting from opioid ingestion and, or uncontrolled pain has the potential to lead to addiction; the physical and psychological need for a drug or substance. In a report released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), between 2000 and 2014 prescription opioid induced overdose deaths have risen from 300,000 to 900,000 in the United States. Consistently outweighing those related to natural and semisynthetic opioids, synthetic opioids, methadone, and heroin (Dal Pan, 2016). On the other hand, nonopioid analgesics or NSAID’s like Naproxen or Ibuprofen tend to be the norm for treating mild to moderate nonspecific lower back pain due to anti-inflammatory properties and analgesic properties (Adams
Opioids come in many forms, both licit and illicit drugs. Licit drugs would be considered pharmaceuticals, since they are prescribed by doctors and usually come in pill forms. Some examples of licit opioids are: OxyContin®, Vicodin®, codeine, morphine, methadone, and fentanyl. The illicit drugs would be heroin and can come in many different forms. Both forms must be consumed with caution due to their addictive nature.
It also states that legally prescribed opioids are generally safe when taken for a short amount of time and are prescribed by a doctor. It described that opioids can be misused by being taken in a different way, in larger quantities or without a doctor’s prescription. Also talks about the drug that can reverse an opioid overdose if given right away, which is naloxone (Abuse). b. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that since 1999 the number of overdose deaths involving opioids has quadrupled. The number of opioid involved deaths continues to increase in the United States.
“ Because they produce euphoria in addition to pain relief, they can be misused. Regular use- even as prescribed by a doctor can lead to dependence ,and when misused, opioid pain relievers can lead to overdose incidents and deaths” (Drugabuse.gov/opioids) Prescribing opioids have more dangers to the human than they do
I. Importance: As American deaths from drug overdoses continue to rise in the United States, the nation is faced with a public health crisis so profound that in October 2017, President Trump declared the opioid epidemic to be a national public health emergency (Merica). President Trump’s declaration came after numerous studies indicating the danger opioid addiction posed; for example, a 2016 study entitled “Increases in Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths—United States, 2010-2015” claimed that drug overdose deaths “nearly tripled during 1999-2014,” reaching a startling high 52,404 deaths in 2015 (Rudd, et al). These statistics are more than just disturbing revelations regarding the opioid crisis; they are evidence of a serious problem that is rapidly affecting the lives of more and more Americans every year. Death by overdose is not the only public policy concern, however, as millions of Americans are also addicted to prescription opioids.
Opioids are a prescription medication involving various forms of drugs, it can benefit patients as little as a few minutes, however, it can be extremely dangerous to patients without self-control. Morphine, heroin, oxycodone, and fentanyl are used for many different medical uses until companies started to combine these four ingredients into one small simple pill. The pill reduces chronic pain from a body in a matter of minutes taking a minimum dosage. The company that produces Opioids have discovered that for the most part opioids are healthier and safer than any other medications. Like other medications, opioids can also have its side effects too such as; sedation restlessness, respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, constipation and much more.
Dependence on prescription opioids can stem from treatment of chronic pain and in recent years is the cause of the increased number of opioid overdoses. Opioids are very addictive substances, having serious life threatening consequences in case of intentional or accidental overdose. The euphoria attracts recreational use, and frequent,
Opioid Epidemic in the United States The opioid crisis has risen over the years here in America. The addiction to painkillers has caused many drug overdoses across America. According to the Vox," In 2015, more than 52,000 people have died from drug overdoses from linked to opioids such as Percocet, heroin, Oxycontin or even fentanyl. This problem did not become an overnight health crisis, but it has become quickly known in America. Expanding our drug treatment centers across America would provide the support to those who are addicted to drugs.
There 's plenty of drugs the world may think is fine to use only because it 's given to you by a doctor. All prescribed drugs are made to help someone in some kind of way; some drugs are being issued without having the focus on how it can affect the patient in a harmful way. In most cases, these drugs are free based on the patient health insurance, which may cause some to take advantage of the treatments. In that case, both the doctor and patient should be aware of the uses, abuses and side effects of these drugs such as Adderall. Adderall is a commonly prescribed drug that is known for treating mostly kids.
The lack of knowledge concerning the effects Adderall has on one’s health and the misuse of the drug has led many students to believe that there are no negative side effects of the drug. The negative effects of Adderall on the human body outweigh the positive effects that are better known by college students. Ninety-five percent of the articles in media reports “mentioned at least one possible benefit of using prescription drugs for neuro-enhancement, but only fifty-eight percent mentioned any risks or side effects” (Lakhan). Since the negative effects of Adderall are not talked about much by the media not many college students are aware of what they are taking and what could happen. Negative side effects of Adderall and drugs similar to it
When people take these synthetic heroin pills, they do not feel as though it is a drug addiction as much as it is a way for them to deal with pain, over-stimulation, and as a tranquilizer. Today, we are currently facing an epidemic with drug addiction and continuously trying to solve the problem with a war on drugs. “The U.S. spends about $51 billion a year enforcing the war on drugs, and arrests nearly 1.5 million people for drug violations, according to Drug Policy Alliance, a drug policy reform group” (Ferner). Since the United States spends so much money on this epidemic, the numbers should start to go down, but it is instead doing the opposite. It is easy to figure out the numbers through doctors, “Increases in prescription drug misuse over the last
Prescription drugs (opiates only) have caused over 165,000 deaths within the last 15 years and is currently on the rise. Over 2 million Americans in 2014 were addicted to Opiate prescription narcotics. The most troubling fact is listed directly on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: “As many as 1 in 4
Chronic pain presents a number of challenges to researchers and clinicians, leaving many patients to endure and suffer chronic pain for many years and even a lifetime for some. Attempts to understand, treat and alleviate the suffering caused by pain is one of the most important aspects of healthcare and medicine. The subjective nature of the pain experience and the different pathophysiological mechanisms involved in pain all contribute to the challenges in understanding and treating chronic pain. Conventional pharmacological treatment approaches have been providing some relief to patients who suffer chronic pain, but those who suffer may seek alternative treatments for a number of reasons, ranging from the lack of effective analgesia to the
At some point in life, all people will experience some sort of ache or pain. For some, this pain is temporary and will go away in a matter of hours, but there are some people who have been living with the same, chronic pain for years. From ibuprofen and muscle relaxers to heating pads and ointments, people choose to treat and manage their pain in a number of different ways. There is never any way of knowing what will work for you until you try it, so a lot of people are open to anything if the pain becomes unbearable. While many choose to use medication to get relief from their pain, not everyone of fond of taking pill after pill to help ease their pain for only a few hours during a 24 hour period.
How painkillers supposed to help you if you don’t try the painkillers then you can try exercise and how it can relax you and it can smooth your pain.it gives you options on which surgeries you may need and risk it comes with and if you don’t want to do surgery you can wear back braces or get a spinal injection to minimize the pain. This website helps us as adults to pick the surgeries that would benefit us in the most efficient way, the information relates to my research on how some painkillers may help the pain, but surgeries would be the most successful way to go about the decision. The person behind this experienced to talk about this
Pain is an important subjective phenomenon which is recognized universally and is the most often the reason for seeking medical advice. (Ludwig Beymer, 1995). The primary step to pain management is the process of proper pain assessment. To meet the pain management needs of patients from diverse backgrounds,