Discovering the Dangers of Opioids and Sleep Apnea
To help decrease the availability of and unnecessary exposure to the powerful pain pills, many doctors are recommending other solutions for pain relief. Opioid prescriptions from physicians have decreased more than 50% since 2012, according to recent studies. For the first time in nearly two decades, alternative treatments, drug-free solutions, and natural therapies are finally on the rise. This trend is partially fueled by new information that is coming out about the risks associated with opioid use.
Recent research is showing an alarming connection between long-term opioid use and an increased risk of respiratory depression during sleep. Along with dangerous side effects. Including disrupted sleep and insomnia – opioids are also putting people at higher risk for respiratory depression and sleep-related breathing disorders, namely central sleep apnea and obstructive. So, what does this mean for patients?
Opioids & Sleep Disordered Breathing
These powerful painkillers and sleep do not mix well. All types of drugs in this category – like morphine, oxycodone, codeine sulfate, fentanyl, and hydrocodone – tend to decrease both REM and slow-wave sleep. Now, scientists are discovering สมัคร UFABET วันนี้ รับเครดิตฟรีสำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ that they also can cause irregular breathing during sleep.The numbers show that a staggering 75-85% of those taking opioids regularly have at least mild and about 40% have severe. This refers to complex sleep apnea, which presents symptoms and characteristics of both central and obstructive.
What’s at Stake?
Sleep apnea, as a side effect of long-term opioid use, is serious and potentially fatal. We think two local pulmonologists in Ohio summed up this very scary risk best in their recently published article: