Every day, we read yet another headline about the heartbreaking toll of opioid abuse and addiction on American families and communities. Drug overdose is now the leading cause of death for people in the U.S. under the age of 50. Seven out of 10 Americans view opioid addiction as a serious problem and more than … Continue reading Amid opioid crisis, it’s time we rethink how to treat pain
More than one in 10 American adults experienced pain every day for the past three months, according to data from the National Institutes of Health. When pain lasts three months or longer, it is considered chronic pain. The prevalence of chronic pain in the U.S. lies at the root of an ongoing epidemic of prescription … Continue reading For chronic pain, opioids are not a good long-term solution
Opioids can be useful immediately after surgery for postoperative pain control, but there is a tendency to overprescribe. A recent study found that 6 percent of patients continued to use the drugs for at least three months after surgery. “Traditionally, doctors would prescribe (opioids) until the patient phone calls stopped,” said Walter Peters, MD, chief … Continue reading Reducing the risk of opioid abuse after surgery
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 44 people fatally overdose on prescription opioids daily in the U.S. That exceeds the daily number of deaths caused by motor vehicle crashes. One forecast estimates that as many as 650,000 people — nearly the combined population of the cities of Arlington and Plano — … Continue reading How Baylor Scott & White Health is combatting the growing opioid epidemic
