Some doctors prescribe more opioids for certain medical conditions and for longer periods of time than others. Paradoxically, the indiscriminate abuse of pain relievers rather than providing a permanent cure has been found to increase the severity of the medical condition or cause unwanted side effects, the most common being drug abuse, dependency, and addiction.
Listed below are some of the conditions for which painkillers are commonly prescribed without harmful consequences.
Sleep apnea: Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea are common in the United States, with an estimated 22 million Americans living with the condition. It is also estimated that an additional 80 percent of moderate or severe sleep apnea cases go undiagnosed. During sleep apnea, the individual experiences pauses in air intake. As the sleep cycle is repeatedly interrupted, the individual ends up feeling fatigued during the day. In many cases, people with this condition are prescribed prescription pain relievers to combat anxiety and pain. However, studies have shown that these drugs only make the condition worse. In a letter published in the Cleveland Journal of Medicine, author Aaron Geller points out the risks of opioid use. Caused cessation of breathing, ultimately resulting in death. He also increased the number of central and obstructive sleep apnea episodes per hour, making people more likely to die in their sleep as a result.
Anxiety: Unfortunately, while people with mood and anxiety disorders are most likely to abuse opioids, they are also the most likely to be prescribed these addictive medications for pain and discomfort. Opioids, at best, can provide temporary pain relief. But they increase the risks of permanent brain damage and increase the risks of addiction. Anxiety-prone people who have turned to opioids have been known to experiment with drugs like heroin at a later stage. Some of the common improvement strategies for coping with anxiety include therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and behavior modification strategies. In case of a comorbid disorder, which could arise after prolonged exposure to opioids, an integrated treatment module is considered worthwhile.
Depression: Depression is also associated with increased abuse of opioid medications. It has become a practice for doctors to dispense opioids even when one has a minor case of blues. Even more so when the patient turns out to be a woman. Although opioids may initially relieve pain, in the long run they only aggravate the condition. As the individual’s life revolves more around drugs, they are less inclined to participate in routine activities. Natural feel-good hormones are depleted and the individual has a less positive outlook on life. You feel sad and sullen most of the time. Although prescription medications such as antidepressants and opioids are required if someone is grieving and finding it difficult to cope on their own, they should never be used as a crutch. Instead, as soon as one feels a little better, these drugs should be discontinued (with the doctor’s approval) and gears shifted towards a healthier lifestyle. Proper exercise, healthy eating, and deep sleep provide long-lasting relief and ensure the free flow of natural endorphins.
obesity: Obesity is both a psychological and physiological condition. While a person who is comfortable even when overweight is less likely to need help, someone who is obese and uncomfortable can go through cycles of depression or anxiety or both. These patients may be prescribed opioids for pain. However, it interferes with the natural production of endorphins, which are produced naturally when you walk briskly or do some exercise.
fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by pain in all parts of the body, emotional distress, and fatigue. People with this condition perceive more pain than others due to faulty pain perception and processing. An estimated 4 percent of the US population lives with the condition. Because pain is lifelong and opioids at best provide relief for only a short period and have a high risk of abuse and addiction, one might want to ask a doctor if alternative (off-the-counter) medications label) are productive. While therapeutic measures like CBT are extremely helpful in relieving emotional pain, muscle-strengthening exercises, yoga, massage, and good sleep can deflect physical pain considerably.
addiction prevention
Although it is better to avoid opioids, if the person suffers from a condition in which their use is relevant, it is necessary to follow the doctor’s recommendations. Practices such as crushing medications or using more than the standard dosage should be avoided.