Hundreds of Pain Medications Exist Yet People Still Suffer From Pain. Which Meds are Safe?
Many of us experience pain, and there are drugs for that. Drugs.com lists 427 prescription pain medications that are available to be compared. Pain relievers might help with headaches, sore muscles, arthritis, or other aches and pains. Other pain medications treat severe pain due to injury, surgery, and more serious health conditions like cancer.
Which drugs are effective, which ones are dangerous or addictive? When it comes to prescription pain medications, there's a lot of misinformation out there.
One thing is for sure, after age 40, we spend more time at the drug store, often trying to help alleviate pain. Separating fact from fiction can be tricky, whether you're searching for information about how they can help relieve pain or reading the latest tabloid story about a celebrity addict. How do you get the correct information to help determine how to treat pain effectively?
People Demand Pain Relief
A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health showed that 25.3 million adults experience chronic pain—that is, they had pain every day for the preceding three months. Nearly 40 million adults experience severe levels of pain. Those with severe pain are also likely to have other significant health problems.
"The number of people who suffer from severe and chronic pain is striking," said Josephine P. Briggs, M.D., Director Emeritus of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Even today, doctors still tend to push pain medication, primarily because people demand pain relief. Some of these medications are not intended for long-term use and can be addictive.
Dr. Joseph Abdelmalak, a pain expert at the Cleveland Clinic, debunks seven common myths about chronic pain. Dr.Abdelmalak says many Americans downplay pain as an annoying part of getting older. However, chronic pain is a bona fide disease that is on the rise - 7 Common Myths About Chronic Pain – Cleveland Clinic.
More the Better?
One misunderstanding is that some people think the more medication you take, the better it will relieve your pain. Experts say more is not better, and it can even backfire.
Strong drugs, like opioid pain medications, have been overused over the years in the thought they were more effective in pain relief. A study looked at this, and the results revealed that after 12 months of treatment, patients who took opioid pain drugs were not functioning any better than those who treated their pain with non-opioid pain relievers. Plus, those who took the opioids reported suffering from more side effects.
Commenting on this study, Cleveland Clinic's Robert Bolash, M.D., said the research shows that opioids are not the only way to treat chronic pain. Bolash says that many treatments are available today for those with chronic and acute pain. Drugs are just one small piece of the treatment options.
"This study shows that opioid pain medications were equal in effectiveness to those things that we can utilize off the shelf from our pharmacies including anti-inflammatory medicines; the NSAID medicines, or acetaminophen-type pain relievers," said Bolash.
Drugs are not the only pain treatment, and the National Institutes of Health says that chronic pain is one of the leading reasons some Americans turn to yoga, massage, and meditation—which may help manage pain and other symptoms that are not consistently addressed by prescription drugs and other conventional treatments.
"Give Me Drugs - Maybe Marijuana?"
Yet some patients suffering from pain want opioid drugs thinking they will work better. These people incorrectly believe that if there is a legit reason to take the medication, they will never get addicted. In contrast, others think everyone who takes pain medication will get addicted.
Then there is marijuana. Evidence has shown that marijuana can effectively treat some things like chemotherapy-induced nausea. There is some evidence that marijuana might also reduce muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis and decrease neuropathic pain intensity.
Experts debate marijuana's effectiveness for pain for most people. However, for older people, there could be a more significant concern. Pain management is particularly more common as we get older, and pain itself can even lead to the need for long-term health care services. Can marijuana be safe and effective, and better than other pain options?
Marijuana use has been shown to cause cognitive impairment, especially in older patients and those who already show signs of dementia. Experts say it should be used with caution if someone has a mental health condition. Plus, marijuana use is considered illegal in some places for any purpose.
Planning for Decline in Health, Body, and Mind
Pain is real. Aging happens to all of us, and the consequences can affect our health and independence. As we get older, we become more dependent on others due to chronic pain, health problems, deterioration of our bodies, and even dementia. These declines are real, yet many want to ignore the problem.
As we become more dependent, we need long-term health care. Care might be provided by untrained and unprepared family members. However, as our needs progress, we need professional help, and this care is costly and gets more expensive each year.
The financial impact of long-term health care can affect even wealthy families, much less the rest of us. The cost can run over $100,000 a year depending on the type of care you require and where you live. Even in-home care, adult day care centers, and assisted living facilities can adversely impact income, assets, lifestyle, and legacy.
You can find the cost of care where you live by using the LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator - Cost of Care Calculator - Choose Your State | LTC News.
How to Reduce Financial Pain of Aging
The financial cost - and the emotional impact on loved ones - can cause a lot of pain to the entire family. There is a way to address these concerns and their effects on families and finances. For many families, affordable Long-Term Care Insurance will ease some of this pain.
Long-Term Care Insurance safeguards your retirement savings (401(k), IRA, 403(b) and income from the rising cost of long-term health care. It may not prevent you from aching, but it will take the pain away from your pocketbook.
Experts suggest planning before you retire, ideally in your 40s or 50s, when premiums are lower and your health is better. LTC Insurance is medically underwritten, so your better health will get rewarded in lower premiums.
Being Proactive Now Reduces Stress Later
Aging, pain, health problems, dementia, none of these are enjoyable topics to consider. Yet, most of us probably want to reduce the stress and pain that aging places on those we love. Being proactive and planning now will, at least, offer loved ones the time to be family instead of being caregivers.
The guaranteed tax-free resources of Long-Term Care Insurance keep you in control with access to your choice of quality care options, including in-home care. You will remain more independent, and your family will have fewer headaches.