Saturday, June 17, 2017

The Treatment And Correct Opioid Dosing

By Kevin Graham


Many opioids are available today, most synthetically derived and not opiates. Examples of opioids that are not opiates include oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and others, Opioids are used therapeutically primarily for their analgesic, or pain-relieving effect. Despite the serious potential side effects, and knows addiction issues, a correct opioid dosing remains the primary analgesic used for moderate to severe pain.

Opioid receptors are present in everyone's body. These receptors are responsible for bringing emotions like pleasure and pain in the body. Several narcotics, such as hydrocodone and oxycontin, give relief while one is experiencing severe pain. The main problem with the opioid is they are very addictive in nature and can result in death if taken in high dose. There has been a huge usage of the narcotic medication by people of every age group in the United States.

Is it possible for chronic opioid therapy to make patients worse? The answer is yes, and it is termed opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). It is a paradoxical condition whereby patients become oversensitive to acute pain. There is a scarcity of literature on the subject of how often it occurs, what presents risk factors for its occurrence, and whether or not there is a dosing relationship for narcotics towards developing OIH.

For some individuals who take narcotics, they get a burst of energy. People may spend more time cleaning the house, car, completing chores. The pain is lessened by the narcotics, but the medications also have an effect on other neurotransmitters such as dopamine. After narcotics are stopped, a lowered energy level may result in substantial incapacitating fatigue.

OIH typically produces diffuse pain, which often extends to regions that were not painful before. OIH tends to mimic opiated withdrawal with some of its symptoms along with increased pain. Additionally, if the patient is dealing with tolerance, an increase in dose would lessen the pain. This does not happen with OIH, in fact, the pain would be worsened.

Opioid-induced hyperalgesia is a condition that can result from long-term opioid use. It represents a heightened perception of pain and can make one feel worse with more pain sensation. The solution to this problem is a decrease or discontinuation of the medication which should be accomplished under medical supervision. The discontinuation can result in less pain than while on the medications.

Sleep is affected significantly by opioids. A large review of studies was published in Postgraduate Medicine looking at the effect of narcotics on sleeping patterns. What popped out? Well, opiate users displayed significant incidence of insomnia, arousals, and wakefulness.

Seeking help from a clinic, a private doctor, or an addiction-breaking support group is safer options for quitting. Support group members have been there themselves and understand what it is like to leave behind an addiction. Medical professionals can help addicts leave the drugs behind on a gradual basis so that their bodily systems are not compromised.

By blending drugs, abusers will risk overdose and dangerous interactions. Permitting this harmful experimentation encourages and enables addiction. If someone you love or yourself is abusing methadone, quit before you cause further harm.




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