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Health See other Health Articles Title: Prince's Death: Wake-Up Call That Pain Meds Can Do More Harm Than Good Prince's Death: Wake-Up Call That Pain Meds Can Do More Harm Than Good Image: Prince's Death: Wake-Up Call That Pain Meds Can Do More Harm Than Good (Copyright Associated Press) By Nick Tate | Thursday, 02 Jun 2016 02:56 PM Autopsy results showing Prince died of an opioid overdose should be a wake- up about the dangers of prescription pain meds and drive patients — and the doctors who treat them — to seek out safer, non-drug alternatives that are often better options, health experts say. More than 125 million Americans spend in excess of $300 billion on pain treatments each year, according to a sweeping new Consumer Reports analysis released within weeks of Prince’s death April 21. But the review found non- drug alternatives — including exercise, psychotherapy, and even simply drinking water — are often as just effective (or more so) in alleviating pain. The upshot: Much of the costly medical care provided to millions of Americans suffering from persistent and chronic pain may be doing them more harm than good — as Prince’s death dramatically demonstrates. “Consumers may be surprised to learn that for some pain conditions, non-drug treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, or just drinking water, may be as effective as medication,” said Lisa Gill, deputy content editor for Consumer Reports’ Best Buy Drugs. “In some cases the medication can have the opposite effect, and can cause the very same pain you’re trying to treat.” Autopsy results released Thursday confirmed that Prince, who was found dead at his Minneapolis-area estate, died from an overdose of pain medications he may have been taking for a hip problem. The 57-year-old musician died less than a week after his plane made an emergency stop in Moline, Ill., for medical treatment after an Atlanta concert. Medics reportedly gave him a shot of Narcan, an antidote used in suspected opioid overdoses. Prince’s death came one month after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidelines for doctors prescribing opioid medications for chronic pain. Those guidelines aim to combat pain-med overdoses in the U.S., which have tripled since 1990 and doubled in just the last 16 years. “The United States is experiencing an epidemic of drug overdose (poisoning) deaths,” said CDC researcher Rose A. Rudd and colleagues in a new agency report on the growing problem. “Since 2000, the rate of deaths from drug overdoses has increased 137 percent, including a 200 percent increase in the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids (including pain relievers).” The CDC guidelines advise doctors to prescribe other non-drug remedies first before turning to pain meds for patients — and even then, to use the lowest effective dose. The new Consumer Reports analysis of painkillers echoed the CDC’s findings, reporting more than 14,000 Americans die from overdoses involving prescription opioids such as oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet) and hydrocodone (Vicodin) each year. Other findings: More than 1,000 people are treated in emergency rooms every day for misusing pain medication. A growing body of research has shown that over the long-term opioid medications don’t help people with chronic pain find relief as well as once believed and, instead, expose them to the risk of overdose and addiction. Although medical marijuana legal many states for pain treatment, it carries risks. About 376,000 people went to emergency rooms in 2009 for anxiety attacks, cardiac issues, and accidents related to being under the influence. The new report — available in the June issue of the magazine and online — also includes a guide to common pain drugs (such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and oxycodone), other medical treatments (including steroid or Botox injections), and alternative therapies (like acupuncture, biofeedback, and massage). Read more: Prince's Death Demonstrations Pain Meds Can Do More Harm Than Good Poster Comment: The verdict is in. Prince died from an overdose, like so many others. Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
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