Contents:
- Medical Video: NSAIDs and Heart Disease - Mayo Clinic
- The risk of side effects of painkillers if it continues to be used in the long term
- Then how to prevent before drug dependence?
Medical Video: NSAIDs and Heart Disease - Mayo Clinic
Pain relievers can be the best solution for treating all kinds of unbearable pain. Some types of pain medications such as ibuprofen and paracetamol or aspirin can be bought freely at a food stall or drug store. While the type of pain is stronger for chronic pain cases such as opiates (fentanyl, hydromorone, heroin, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, and tramadol), the dosage is very tight so you will need to make a prescription.
Whichever medication you use, pain relief is not to be used every day - just take this medicine if it is really needed. The use of long-term pain relievers can cause harmful side effects on health.
The risk of side effects of painkillers if it continues to be used in the long term
Minor side effects that may arise after the use of pain medication temporarily are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. headaches, drowsiness or disorientation (dazed, confused), to digestive problems such as diarrhea or constipation. NSAIDs can also cause the arms and legs to swell.
Continued, too often taking painkillers in the long term can make the body become immune to the effects of the drug. Medication no longer works effectively to deal with the pain that arises, so you need a higher dose. Over time, immune conditions can make you become drug dependent.
In addition, the use of painkillers for a long time can cause wounds (ulcers) in the stomach or small intestine which can cause internal bleeding and infection in the abdominal cavity (peritonitis). Continuous consumption of anesthetic drugs, although not necessary, can also cause liver damage and kidney failure due to the effects of drugs that damage kidney function.
Ibuprofen, aspirin, and other NSAIDs can also cause an increase in blood pressure. The effects of painkillers can interfere with the smooth muscle work of the vessel walls, thus inhibiting the ability of blood vessels to contract and loosen up. This condition can increase the risk of blockages in blood vessels which are often called atherosclerosis. In the long term, atherosclerosis can cause coronary heart disease until heart attacks and strokes if not handled properly.
What's worse, drug dependence can gradually push users into an overdose phase that can be fatal.
Then how to prevent before drug dependence?
Pain relievers are only used when necessary, not for routine or daily use for long periods of time. To avoid the risk of side effects, you must follow the instructions on how to use the drug on the packaging label. If prescribed by a doctor, obey according to the recommended drug use instructions.
If you feel you need to take a higher dose, maybe the sign is that the drug is no longer effective for you. Do not change medication or raise the dose carelessly without getting further advice from your doctor. Don't also mix drugs with other types of drugs without consulting your doctor first.
