When it comes to chronic pain, it is natural to want to get what help you can for relief. Talking to your doctor about medicine may look like the perfect thing to do, and in your case, it possibly is. However, relying solely on pain medicine can have some consequences that need to remember of. Here, we’ll look at why you should consider other paths.
They can have side effects
If pain medicine were the purest good, then doctors would not be so careful when prescribing it and who should prescribe it. Even basic NSAIDs like aspirin can have side effects if too much is prescribed. Opioids such as codeine and Vicodin, however, can be had diverse side effects, such as constipation, nausea, drowsiness, and dizziness, and can even affect your mental health, for example, leading to a higher likelihood of developing depression. In some cases, you might think these side effects are worth the relief you feel from your pain, but it is something you should seriously consider.
They may work less time over time
The way many pain relievers work is by activating opioid receptors in the brain, which causes the release of hormones that can reduce the pain response. However, because these receptors are stimulated many times, they may begin to respond to less stimulation and may need more to stimulate them and to elicit the same response as before. This way, your body can begin to tolerate the medicine you are taking. This can lead to a loop where some people take more of the drug to get the same response, leading to opioid abuse.
They can be addicting
In the case of opioid addiction, tolerance mechanisms as mentioned above are the main culprits. Many people with opioid addiction problems started taking them legally as a remedy for their health problems. However, this can lead to dependence on unsafe drugs in the long term, and in current services such as MAT Texas – Opioid Treatment Center may be needed for help. If you use opioids, it is extremely important to monitor your use and recognize when you may be having problems.
Another option might be of better help
There are many other options, both medical and other, that can help you find treatment for your pain. This can include basic lifestyle changes such as changing your bed to help you sleep easier, such as home alternatives CBD gum, or neck massagers that can help with back pain. Then there are alternative therapies such as biofeedback therapy and acupuncture. For certain types of pain, injection treatments can even help block the pain response from certain parts of the body, if that applies to you. Some of these may help you more than any medicine.
You do not have to give up on the idea of using medicine entirely if you have serious pain. However, you should consider talking to your doctor about alternative pain therapies to do so.
