Clipping Board » Research Report ─ The latest medical research reports and related news.
Taiwan Awakening News / Reporter Wei Dunhua / Taipei Report
June 28, 2012
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released a survey report indicating that the rate of long-term abuse of painkillers has increased by 75% since 2002. Authorities stated that this trend must be taken seriously, as abuse can lead to overdose deaths, hospitalizations, and other serious consequences. To safeguard public health, future measures may include restricting access to painkillers without a prescription.
After examining painkiller usage data from 2002 to 2009, the CDC found a sharp rise in cases where individuals took painkillers for more than 200 days a year without a prescription. Deaths caused by long-term overdose of painkillers such as methadone surged by 109%.
Officials noted that most of these cases involved individuals taking painkillers without a prescription despite having tolerable pain levels. "Some people cannot endure even minor pain, leading to this situation. Others simply seek the euphoric effects of painkillers," they explained.
The study also revealed that middle-aged men showed the highest increase in long-term painkiller abuse. Overall, abuse rates among men rose by 105%, with an 81% increase among those aged 26 to 34 and a 135% surge among those aged 35 to 49.
The CDC emphasized that painkillers only suppress symptoms and do not cure the underlying condition. Moreover, excessive use of any medication is harmful.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ HEALTH/ HEA1/ 7189702. shtml#ixzz1z6ZJr6h1
US Long-Term Painkiller Abuse Rate Soars to 75%
June 28, 2012
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released a survey report indicating that the rate of long-term abuse of painkillers has increased by 75% since 2002. Authorities stated that this trend must be taken seriously, as abuse can lead to overdose deaths, hospitalizations, and other serious consequences. To safeguard public health, future measures may include restricting access to painkillers without a prescription.
After examining painkiller usage data from 2002 to 2009, the CDC found a sharp rise in cases where individuals took painkillers for more than 200 days a year without a prescription. Deaths caused by long-term overdose of painkillers such as methadone surged by 109%.
Officials noted that most of these cases involved individuals taking painkillers without a prescription despite having tolerable pain levels. "Some people cannot endure even minor pain, leading to this situation. Others simply seek the euphoric effects of painkillers," they explained.
The study also revealed that middle-aged men showed the highest increase in long-term painkiller abuse. Overall, abuse rates among men rose by 105%, with an 81% increase among those aged 26 to 34 and a 135% surge among those aged 35 to 49.
The CDC emphasized that painkillers only suppress symptoms and do not cure the underlying condition. Moreover, excessive use of any medication is harmful.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ HEALTH/ HEA1/ 7189702. shtml#ixzz1z6ZJr6h1