Opioids increase the risk of prolonging postoperative pain, Claims Study

Opioids increase the risk of prolonging postoperative pain, Claims Study

While it's common practice to give patients prescription medications after surgery, a recent study questions the prevailing practice. The study in mice showed that opioid consumption after surgery could be counterproductive. The finding has raised concerns among various stakeholders, including medical professionals, experts, scientists, etc., who fear its implications for patients' pain management.

The study highlights some of the lesser-known, darker aspects of opioids that are likely to worsen the ongoing fight against the opioid crisis. Since the human physiology of both mammals - mice and humans - is quite similar, researchers are concerned. Linda Watkins and Peter Grace of the University of Colorado Boulder performed exploratory abdominal surgery on male rats.

Also known as laparotomy, it is a fairly common surgery in America. Over the course of the study, about three experiments were conducted to understand the effects of morphine in the long term. First, half of the rats were given a moderate dose of morphine and the other half were given saline for seven days after surgery. Second, mice were given morphine for eight days and then tapered on day 10. Finally, the mice were given morphine for 10 days, after which it was abruptly discontinued.

Some of the eye-opening results were as follows:

• Rats given morphine suffered pain for more than three weeks.

• The duration of pain depends on the length of time you take morphine; Long-term use of morphine makes the pain last longer.

• The gradual taper had no effect on pain; This was not due to withdrawal but to other work factors.

The researchers found that the prolongation of postoperative pain was primarily caused by increased expression of inflammatory genes, including those encoding Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). , caspase-1 (CASP1), interleukin-1β ((IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor.

Non-opioid alternatives for pain control

The opioid crisis is undoubtedly one of the worst epidemics to ravage America in recent memory. While just a few years ago opioids were considered the best cure for chronic pain, today they are being intensively studied. Stanford pain specialist Sean Mackey agrees that opioids should never be the first-line treatment because of the risks involved. Instead, non-opioid alternatives should be tried first, he suggested.

According to Mackey, there are currently over 200 non-opioid medications for pain. Non-opioid medications, such as acetaminophen for osteoarthritis, back pain, and migraines, do not result in fatal opioid-related overdoses. Similarly, topical agents such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are used to treat localized musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, etc.

Non-pharmacological interventions such as exercise therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) play a crucial role in pain management. While exercise therapy improves overall well-being and promotes patient satisfaction, CBT reduces pain and improves functioning in daily life. In addition to educating the patient about relaxation techniques and breathing sequences, CBT guides them through developing coping strategies necessary to relieve pain.

Timely intervention is essential for recovery

Because they are highly addictive in nature, prescription medications, particularly opioid painkillers such as Vicodin and hydrocodone, increase the risk of developing an addiction. Timely intervention is essential to curb the spread of addiction. If left untreated are the consequences ofAbuse of prescription medicationscould be fatal.

More than anything, it is necessary to recognize that each person living with pain has their own unique story and needs. Not everyone who lives with pain will respond immediately to treatment. So while exercise therapy and medication might work for one, they wouldn't necessarily work for others. Therefore, one needs to be cautious and cautious while taking these medications.

Inspired by Barbara Odozi