Living with cancer doesn’t always mean you’ll have pain. However, if it does occur, you can find relief, whether your symptoms develop from the disease itself or from your treatment. Keep reading to learn more.
“The common misconception is that only drug addicts overdose by injecting a needle with illicit drugs in their arm. That is wrong! Many people who overdose on opioids are following their doctor’s instructions”- Dr. Tonkin
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, opioids act by attaching to specific proteins called opioid receptors, which are found on nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord, gastrointestinal tract, and other organs in the body. When these drugs attach to their receptors, they reduce the perception of pain and can produce a sense of well-being. Opioid medications can produce a sense of well-being and pleasure because these drugs affect brain regions involved in reward. People who abuse opioids may seek to intensify their experience by taking the drug in ways other than those prescribed. For example, extended-release oxycodone is designed to release slowly and steadily into the bloodstream after being taken orally in a pill; this minimizes the euphoric effects. People who abuse pills may crush them to snort or inject which not only increases the euphoria but also increases the risk for serious medical complications, such as respiratory arrest, coma, and addiction.
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Living with cancer doesn’t always mean you’ll have pain. However, if it does occur, you can find relief, whether your symptoms develop from the disease itself or from your treatment. Keep reading to learn more.
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Fibromyalgia often comes with debilitating symptoms — such as chronic pain — which can impact everyday life. There may not be a cure for this condition, but you can manage your symptoms and keep flare-ups at bay. Keep reading to learn more.
If you have cancer, it’s very likely you also have pain. Fortunately, whether you develop symptoms from the cancer itself or your treatment, there are ways to get your pain under control. Read on to learn more.
Pain can come in many forms, which can make it difficult to manage. So how do you know if you should see a doctor about new pain that comes on suddenly? Keep reading to find out.
Are you tired of living with chronic back or neck pain? Are you trying to find ways to reduce your need for pain medications? It could be time to try spinal cord stimulation. Keep reading to learn more.