According to the CDC, narcotic prescription medication in the US has reached epidemic status. The last few years, studies have shown that chronic pain in the US affects over 30% of the general population. This turns out to include over 100 million Americans with the overall costs exceeding $550 billion annually.
The American Osteopathic Foundation conducted a survey in 2010 which displayed some unbelievable facts. their study showed that about 70% of individuals in the US said that either they had experienced pain in last month or someone they care for has had pain either.
Chronic pain affects more people than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. With the stigma of narcotic medication in this country, a lot of patients are ambivalent about talking to their physician about it or simply just don't know how to start the conversation because it's potentially embarrassing.
In the survey, about half of those responding did not really think that conventional pain treatment would help their chronic pain issues. About 10% were thankfully able to just ignore their pain, and 40% just simply viewed it as a normal part of aging process.
Over 33% of individuals in the survey said over fears of addiction they would refuse an opiate prescription from their physician. Also, one 3rd of the respondents in the survey thought that opiate prescriptions lead to more side effects than actual benefits.
These statistics point to a concerning issue. Legitimate patients who have legitimate pain are finding it difficult to speak to their doctor about it.
There is a large knowledge deficit regarding pain management and opiate medications in the United States and there have been stereotypes formulated regarding narcotics which has turned patients who have legitimate complaints into embarrassed individuals scared to talk to their doctors about it. They feel they will be labeled as drug seekers and potentially abandoned even with legitimate complaints being discussed.
Numerous advancements need to be put in place for pain management in the US. Additional research needs to be performed to try and find better ways of managing pain. Medications that are more modern having less side effects need to be formulated.
There is a significant deficit of education for pain problems in the US. The existing medical community needs to have education so that patients don't feel so embarrassed about discussing it with them. Public service announcement should also be created due to the epidemic status of the problem in America.
The American Osteopathic Foundation conducted a survey in 2010 which displayed some unbelievable facts. their study showed that about 70% of individuals in the US said that either they had experienced pain in last month or someone they care for has had pain either.
Chronic pain affects more people than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. With the stigma of narcotic medication in this country, a lot of patients are ambivalent about talking to their physician about it or simply just don't know how to start the conversation because it's potentially embarrassing.
In the survey, about half of those responding did not really think that conventional pain treatment would help their chronic pain issues. About 10% were thankfully able to just ignore their pain, and 40% just simply viewed it as a normal part of aging process.
Over 33% of individuals in the survey said over fears of addiction they would refuse an opiate prescription from their physician. Also, one 3rd of the respondents in the survey thought that opiate prescriptions lead to more side effects than actual benefits.
These statistics point to a concerning issue. Legitimate patients who have legitimate pain are finding it difficult to speak to their doctor about it.
There is a large knowledge deficit regarding pain management and opiate medications in the United States and there have been stereotypes formulated regarding narcotics which has turned patients who have legitimate complaints into embarrassed individuals scared to talk to their doctors about it. They feel they will be labeled as drug seekers and potentially abandoned even with legitimate complaints being discussed.
Numerous advancements need to be put in place for pain management in the US. Additional research needs to be performed to try and find better ways of managing pain. Medications that are more modern having less side effects need to be formulated.
There is a significant deficit of education for pain problems in the US. The existing medical community needs to have education so that patients don't feel so embarrassed about discussing it with them. Public service announcement should also be created due to the epidemic status of the problem in America.
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