Chronic Pain Study Reveals New Information

We’ve all head of the opioid crisis on the national news by this point. Maybe we even know and love someone who has struggled with an opioid addiction in the past. Unfortunately, this is a very real threat to the health of those that we love, and it is still a very serious issue in the medical community. Opioids are used in pain management, and those who suffer from chronic pain may be prescribed these drugs over the short term. Because of the nature of this medication, there is a lot of potential for misuse, and that means that even greater health problems could arise.

 

One question that has been asked recently amidst all of the media attention that the opioid crisis has received is: who is most at risk of a fatal reaction to opioids? A recent study has attempted to figure this out. After looking at about 13,000 people who died because of an opioid overdose, some valuable information has been gained in the fight against this epidemic.

 

Of the 13,000 deaths that were examined, more than 60 percent of the individuals had been suffering from chronic pain. A large number of these individuals had also been diagnosed with some sort of mental illness within the last year of their life. The most common illnesses were depression and anxiety.

 

Seeing a loved one suffering from chronic pain is difficult for the whole family.

 

Perhaps the most disturbing bit of information that was discovered, however, was the fact that the number of deaths per year related to an opioid overdose had more than quadrupled between the years 1999 and 2015. This shows that the drug was being prescribed at a huge rate, and that it was being misused despite the growing signs that this drug was being misused on a widespread basis.

 

Having a loved one that suffers from chronic pain is distressing. Seeing someone that you love suffer is never easy, and when that pain doesn’t go away, it can be mentally draining on the entire family. Opioids can be right for some people, but there is ample evidence that these had been overprescribed in the past, and that many people misused them even when they were properly prescribed. The end result was that many people who were already suffering ended up suffering even more, and ultimately losing their lives. This is not to say that opioids should never be used, but it’s important that you consult with a doctor and use them exactly as prescribed if they are needed.

 

An individual suffering from chronic pain likely has specific care needs. Working with a caregiver service that understands these needs is important, especially when you consider the fact that not all caregivers have the same expertise and backgrounds. Some work well with those that have chronic pain while others do not. Be sure to get all of the information that you need from your caregiver before you agree to a service so that you can ensure that your loved one is getting the best care that they possibly can given their specific situation.

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