Physicians are approaching a crossroad in medicine. Prescription Opioids could be approaching an end.
Traditionally for the relief of pain that is too severe for Tylenol, a physician will prescribe some type of opioid. National health leaders have been advocating for the reduction of prescription opioids such as OxyContin and Vicodin as these drugs are dangerously habit-forming and are over-prescribed. Along with the risk of developing a tolerance and/or dependency to these drugs, they also come with other health risks. Some of the side-effects can be so harsh they effect a patient's quality of life. They come at a high risk for abuse, can ruin the person's quality of life and and in some cases can prove to have fatal effects. When taking a drug to alleviate pain, you do not want to be taking one that will take away from your daily life. Opioids are dangerous, here is the actual list of possible side effects for OxyContin:- Nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite
- Dizziness, headache, tired feeling, weakness, lightheadedness
- Dry Mouth, Sweating, Itching
- Fainting, seizure
- Slow/ Shallow breathing
- Unusual drowsiness, difficulty waking up
It is hard to understand why opioids are the go-to in pain management when they have these side-effects.How do we cut down on opioid use?
In a recent study patients using medical marijuana to control chronic pain reported a 64% decrease in use of opioids for pain relief. The patients also reported a 45% increase in their quality of life. The use of medical marijuana could be the new alternative for harsh opioids for pain management. Thankfully, New York has legalized the use of medicinal marijuana.
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