By Otto Rodriguez
Miami-Dade Health
Traditional painkillers could be lifesavers when the pain persists. but generally, this type of medication bring some unwanted side effects that could be extremely harmful.
In recent years, the prevalence of narcotic painkillers, also called opioids, has increased exponentially, and so has the number of deaths related to the use of these medications.
Back pain is one of the most common reasons doctors prescribe narcotic painkillers, which work in a very similar way to heroin, by suppressing a receptor in the brain called Mu. When we exercise, the body produces narcotic-like molecules known as endogenous endorphins that can bring a feeling of well-being.
Ingesting narcotic medications causes a “down-regulation” of the Mu receptors, and with fewer receptors it takes more narcotic-like molecules, either endogenous or in the form of a medicine, to alleviate the pain.
Taking these kinds of medications often increases tolerance and eventually you will need higher doses to achieve the same level of comfort. That brings about the dependency of those drugs and the patient can easily become addict to opioids.
Narcotics for short-term pain usually carry little risk as they can be stopped before the patient becomes tolerant or addicted. However, Taking them for long-term chronic pain puts the patient at significant risk of developing addiction and abuse.
It’s always a good idea to consult with your primary doctor before taking narcotics for pain and explore options for other medications that are not as burdensome as opioids. Working in partnership with your doctor, you can identify treatments that allow you to live an enjoyable, fulfilling life. The approach you choose should include more than just medication, but painkillers are likely to play a role.
