The Economic Burden of the Opioid Epidemic in the U.S.
The opioid epidemic refers to the increasing number of deaths and hospitalizations attributed to opioid misuse. This public health crisis has various costs – in addition to the loss of lives, the epidemic has cost the U.S. over a trillion dollars. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the economic burden of prescription opioid […]
What You Should Know About Opioid Overdose
In the United States, opioids are the leading cause of drug-related deaths – out of the nearly 71,000 people who died from a drug overdose in 2019, 70% of those deaths were opioid-related, many involving synthetic opioids. The opioid crisis is not unique to the U.S., with over 70% of drug-related deaths worldwide related to opioids. Total overdose […]
Can Yoga be an Alternative to Opioids for Treating Chronic Pain?
Although opioids are commonly prescribed for the treatment of chronic pain, they often come with harmful side effects, and can even lead to dependence or addiction. Because there are risks associated with opioids, non-pharmacological pain management methods, like yoga, have gained support in recent years. Yoga for chronic pain management Yoga is a centuries-old mind-body […]
What is Chronic Pain?
After an injury like a broken bone or a surgical procedure, it’s normal to experience pain. Once the wound heals, the pain goes away. But what happens when it doesn’t? When pain persists for longer than three to six months, it becomes chronic. Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical […]
7 Ways Untreated Chronic Pain Can Affect Your Health and Well-being
Everyone experiences pain at some point in their life. Many times, it is acute, lasting no longer than a few months. Other times, the pain doesn’t go away quite as quickly. When it lasts longer than six months, it becomes chronic pain or persistent pain. Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons people seek […]
How Opioids Affect the Senior Population
While anyone can be at risk for the harmful effects of opioids, seniors face challenges unique to their population. Besides having an increased risk of death and hospitalization, seniors are also more likely to experience excessive sedation, respiratory depression, vision impairment, and attention and coordination loss from opioid use. Older adults and pain Unfortunately, aging […]
Understanding the Relationship Between PTSD and Opioid Use Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder people can develop after witnessing or experiencing a life-threatening event. PTSD may cause intrusive memories, adverse changes in thinking and mood, alterations in physical and emotional reactions, and avoidance. The elevated response associated with these symptoms, including hypervigilance and exaggerated startle, can be unbearable, causing those with […]
The Three Waves of the Opioid Epidemic
The opioid epidemic refers to the dramatic increase in prescription and non-prescription use in the U.S. It also encompasses the opioid-related overdoses that resulted from that increase. Between 1999 and 2018, nearly 450,000 died from an overdose involving opioids. The opioid-related deaths came in three distinct waves: Prescription opioids Heroin Synthetic opioids The first wave […]
Opioid Misuse: What You Should Know
Opioids are safe for most people when taken as prescribed for a short period. Unfortunately, many people misuse these medications to achieve a euphoric effect. By doing so, they increase the risk of addiction, overdose, and death. Here are a few things you should know about opioid misuse. How Do Opioids Work? Opioids affect many places […]
4 Reasons Why Sleep Worsened During the Pandemic
Getting enough sleep is essential for your immune system to function optimally. Adequate sleep is associated with a reduced risk of infection and an improved ability to recover from illness. On the other hand, sleep deprivation can affect how effectively the body can protect itself against disease. Sleep is crucial as we continue to fight […]
