Pain management has revolutionized since the discovery of opium as a painkiller in the 16th century.  A ton of painkilling drugs were found. Pain management strategies have emerged to address the situations of patients with terminal illnesses. Palliative care has become one of the offers in hospitals. Pain, no matter how unbearable, becomes more manageable with the most recent trends of pain management. Even ordinary people have started using pain-reducing drugs after their hard day’s work or whatever they have done for the day. Yet, there are still myths surrounding pain relief, painkillers, and pain management that need explanation.

Five-packed Facts

Myth 1: No Pain, No Gain.

This myth is common among athletes and bodybuilders who use painkillers during injuries or post-games. Yet there is valid support to this claim.  Exerting muscles for long time stretch tissues and muscles making them painful after some time. However, it is not proper to attribute muscle development to pain alone. Recent studies show that light exercises provide muscle activity that curbs fat buildup as long as done regularly. Cross-training, a combination of hard, physical workout and light exercises is also a fit.

Myth 2: Pain is Make-Believe

A cluster of individuals believes that pain is just a product of the mind. For example, back pain is often attributed to old age and stressful activities. Little is known that even the lightest work can still give pain.

Pain comes in various forms but it is always real. Swelling, fever, and stiffness are common feelings. This alone shows that pain happens because of a trigger be it a disease, injury, or drug/chemical.

Myth 3: The More You Take, The Better

Painkillers should be ingested as prescribed by a health professional. Some patients take more because they are less tolerant of pain. Others can easily do their work even when hurting. In either way, the prescription should always be followed to have the optimal effect of the painkilling medicine.

Over dosage can cause detrimental effects to a person’s health. A person’s liver and kidney are the organs that frequently suffer from the adverse effects of the wrong dosage.

Myth 4: Taking Painkillers Can Make a Person Addicted

Risk factors are identified before certain painkillers are prescribed. For example, an alcoholic is less likely to be given meloxicam. A mix of meloxicam and alcohol in a person’s bloodstream would give a direct hit to the nervous system of a person. Aggressive behavioral changes may be observed. This can also be an effect of the fatal combination of the drug and alcohol.

Myth 5: Pain medication is a cure-all.

More often than not, pain medication is just taken to reduce the pain. In palliative care, this is the mere purpose of taking painkillers. In addition, not all painkillers can be effective for all individuals. A particular type can work perfectly for one and not on another patient.

The doctor’s prescription is still the ultimate health guide toward healing.

Final Thoughts

Facts are based on data and studies. They are not just the opinion of individuals. With this information, busting the ages-old myth will help anybody to understand the nature of painkillers and pain management.