Opiate abuse is a huge problem in healthcare. In many cases patients suffering from non-complicated pain syndromes, pain killers and muscle relaxers are given as an initial treatment option. In cases where there is a clear mechanical dysfunction these medications can do more harm than good. These are the majority of the cases. Pain is a warning sign that something is wrong and you need to fix it.
3 Reason Why Opiates are BAD:
- They are very effective at bringing out your Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde. Opiates can completely throw the neurotransmitters that control your mood out of sync. Mainly because your mind is on a “high” at its peak dose of medication and will dip into a low, dark place when you are in between dosages. Causing violent mood swings.
- They actually increase the spread of the common cold and flu. A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B showed that use of painkillers to curb flu fever could in turn worsen the condition for everybody else. The study, with the help of a mathematical model, proposed that painkillers might instead be increasing transmission of flu by up to 5 percent.
- Opiates cause kidney damage. Painkillers in particular are very quick to enter the bloodstream. During the process of filtration, the kidneys are too distracted by the effect of the painkiller to actually consume the correct amount of blood causing damage. The ultimate goal of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body so we definitely need them!
When you are able to cover up the pain and resume normal activities you set yourself up for increased wear and tear on the joints and worsen your condition long term. In many cases of pain such as these a visit to the chiropractor should be first. We will be able to find if the cause of your pain is the result of a mechanical issue or if it is something that needs to be evaluated by a medical doctor. The following link below has a lot of information on the dangers of pain killers.