All language subtitles for [English] What Pain Pills Actually Do to Your Body [DownSub.com]

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These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated: 1 00:00:00,310 --> 00:00:03,980 We’ve all been there; you’re having a somewhat normal day, and then you find yourself 2 00:00:03,980 --> 00:00:07,950 suddenly wracked by an inexplicable and unignorable pain. 3 00:00:07,950 --> 00:00:12,070 Maybe it’s a headache that seems to have come out of nowhere or a sensation of soreness 4 00:00:12,070 --> 00:00:13,740 that just won’t leave you alone. 5 00:00:13,740 --> 00:00:17,619 So, you head to the medicine cabinet or down to your local pharmacy to grab yourself something 6 00:00:17,619 --> 00:00:21,320 to reduce these uncomfortable symptoms as quickly as you can. 7 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:22,320 Your best option? 8 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:25,359 Well, in most cases, that would be painkillers. 9 00:00:25,359 --> 00:00:28,769 Over-the-counter medicines like these are some of the most common and affordable treatments 10 00:00:28,769 --> 00:00:32,238 for alleviating various forms of acute or chronic pain. 11 00:00:32,238 --> 00:00:35,870 But there’s such a variety of painkillers out there, how are you to tell which one is 12 00:00:35,870 --> 00:00:38,219 actually right for your current ailments? 13 00:00:38,219 --> 00:00:42,170 Which types of painkillers are safest, and which ones can lead to potential danger if 14 00:00:42,170 --> 00:00:43,450 not taken correctly? 15 00:00:43,450 --> 00:00:48,100 And most importantly of all, what do painkillers actually do to your body in order to reduce 16 00:00:48,100 --> 00:00:49,430 or treat pain? 17 00:00:49,430 --> 00:00:54,260 Let’s start with arguably the most widely used over-the-counter painkiller: paracetamol. 18 00:00:54,260 --> 00:00:58,420 Also known as acetaminophen here in the United States, it’s commonly taken to alleviate 19 00:00:58,420 --> 00:01:01,379 headaches or relieve mild to moderate pain. 20 00:01:01,379 --> 00:01:05,799 Paracetamol can also lower a raised temperature, which makes it handy for tackling a fever 21 00:01:05,799 --> 00:01:07,940 that might come as the result of a cold. 22 00:01:07,940 --> 00:01:11,869 It achieves this by blocking the chemical messengers that travel from the body to the 23 00:01:11,869 --> 00:01:16,159 brain in order to alert the brain of the presence of painful sensations. 24 00:01:16,159 --> 00:01:20,579 When it comes to lowering temperatures, paracetamol does much the same thing; it affects these 25 00:01:20,579 --> 00:01:25,390 chemical messengers in the area of the human brain that is responsible for regulating body 26 00:01:25,390 --> 00:01:26,650 temperature. 27 00:01:26,650 --> 00:01:29,750 Paracetamol is usually taken in the form of pills or capsules. 28 00:01:29,750 --> 00:01:34,000 However, it’s also the key ingredient in many brands of over-the-counter combination 29 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:36,579 painkillers or cold and flu medicines. 30 00:01:36,579 --> 00:01:41,330 It’s because of the presence of paracetamol in other remedies that being aware of how 31 00:01:41,330 --> 00:01:46,009 much you are taking is crucial, as it’s possible to take too much and cause yourself 32 00:01:46,009 --> 00:01:48,180 potential harm – or even death! 33 00:01:48,180 --> 00:01:53,250 Usually, an average person can take paracetamol without issue, however, doctors and pharmacists 34 00:01:53,250 --> 00:01:57,400 say you should avoid this painkiller if you’re pregnant, currently taking other medicine 35 00:01:57,400 --> 00:02:02,360 prescribed to them by their doctor, experiencing an issue with the way their liver is functioning, 36 00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:04,430 or if you’re outright allergic to paracetamol. 37 00:02:04,430 --> 00:02:08,300 For most adults, the recommended dosage is five hundred milligrams taken every four to 38 00:02:08,300 --> 00:02:13,130 six hours, but never exceeding the maximum of four grams within a single day. 39 00:02:13,130 --> 00:02:16,720 When taking paracetamol, it’s important to leave at least four hours between each 40 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:21,170 dose and not to take more than four in the space of twenty-four hours. 41 00:02:21,170 --> 00:02:24,840 This is where taking too much paracetamol can potentially become lethal, as too much 42 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:27,620 can cause damage to a person’s liver. 43 00:02:27,620 --> 00:02:31,849 Paracetamol poisoning occurs not directly due to the painkiller itself, but one of its 44 00:02:31,849 --> 00:02:35,740 metabolites – the small molecules produced by metabolism. 45 00:02:35,740 --> 00:02:42,140 Known as N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine, this can directly damage the cells within the liver. 46 00:02:42,140 --> 00:02:46,080 Side effects of a paracetamol overdose can include tiredness, abdominal pain, and nausea, 47 00:02:46,080 --> 00:02:49,980 and can set in within a day of taking the overdose. 48 00:02:49,980 --> 00:02:55,260 This is followed by an absence of any noticeable symptoms, then by yellowish skin, blood clotting, 49 00:02:55,260 --> 00:02:57,310 and confusion as a result of liver failure. 50 00:02:57,310 --> 00:03:02,061 Kidney failure, pancreatitis, and low blood sugar can also occur as a result of paracetamol 51 00:03:02,061 --> 00:03:03,170 poisoning. 52 00:03:03,170 --> 00:03:07,640 Without medical treatment, the toxicity caused by a paracetamol overdose normally occurs 53 00:03:07,640 --> 00:03:10,340 within four days to over two weeks later. 54 00:03:10,340 --> 00:03:15,670 While it’s often fatal, if treated you will survive, albeit in a great deal of pain, after 55 00:03:15,670 --> 00:03:16,950 a couple of weeks. 56 00:03:16,950 --> 00:03:22,019 In the United States alone, there are over 100,000 cases per year of paracetamol poisoning. 57 00:03:22,019 --> 00:03:26,470 In the UK, it’s the medication responsible for the highest number of overdoses, given 58 00:03:26,470 --> 00:03:29,420 how readily available it is in most stores and pharmacies. 59 00:03:29,420 --> 00:03:34,140 However, the reason it’s so readily available is that paracetamol is relatively safe for 60 00:03:34,140 --> 00:03:38,920 most people to consume for pain relief without suffering any potential side effects or risks 61 00:03:38,920 --> 00:03:41,880 of danger if taken in the recommended dosages. 62 00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:46,769 Often, the largest influencing factor on what type of painkillers a person needs comes down 63 00:03:46,769 --> 00:03:49,430 to the type of pain they’re experiencing. 64 00:03:49,430 --> 00:03:53,640 Ibuprofen is another similarly widely available type of painkiller, much like paracetamol. 65 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:58,370 However, unlike paracetamol, it has different uses – specifically, it’s more appropriate 66 00:03:58,370 --> 00:04:00,079 for different types of pain. 67 00:04:00,079 --> 00:04:04,849 For example, aches and pains like back pain, toothaches, period pains, and symptoms related 68 00:04:04,849 --> 00:04:09,549 to colds and flu are normally better treated by ibuprofen than paracetamol. 69 00:04:09,549 --> 00:04:14,260 It can also help to treat inflammation, sprains, and strains, as well as pain brought on by 70 00:04:14,260 --> 00:04:15,260 arthritis. 71 00:04:15,260 --> 00:04:20,110 Much like the aforementioned everyday painkiller, ibuprofen is also typically found in the form 72 00:04:20,110 --> 00:04:24,280 of pills or capsules, but there are versions that come in the form of granules that can 73 00:04:24,280 --> 00:04:26,699 be dissolved in water and swallowed. 74 00:04:26,699 --> 00:04:30,509 Ibuprofen-based gels and sprays that can be absorbed through direct contact with the skin 75 00:04:30,509 --> 00:04:31,560 also exist. 76 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:36,250 Also, similar to paracetamol, ibuprofen is often found in products that combine it with 77 00:04:36,250 --> 00:04:40,410 other painkillers and is another common ingredient in cold and flu medicines. 78 00:04:40,410 --> 00:04:45,030 The way ibuprofen actually works is by reducing the hormones in the body that are responsible 79 00:04:45,030 --> 00:04:47,639 for causing pain and triggering swelling. 80 00:04:47,639 --> 00:04:52,580 It focuses on one of the key chemical pathways of the body that causes pain, and reduces 81 00:04:52,580 --> 00:04:56,560 the body’s ability to make what is known as prostaglandins. 82 00:04:56,560 --> 00:05:01,190 These are the specific chemicals released by the body that trigger pain, inflammation, 83 00:05:01,190 --> 00:05:02,190 and fevers. 84 00:05:02,190 --> 00:05:06,130 With a reduced amount of prostaglandins in the body, these uncomfortable symptoms are 85 00:05:06,130 --> 00:05:07,130 reduced. 86 00:05:07,130 --> 00:05:11,500 When taking ibuprofen orally, this can normally take around twenty to thirty minutes to take 87 00:05:11,500 --> 00:05:12,500 effect. 88 00:05:12,500 --> 00:05:16,940 Using a product that requires ibuprofen to be absorbed by the skin takes a lot longer, 89 00:05:16,940 --> 00:05:19,190 usually within a couple of days. 90 00:05:19,190 --> 00:05:23,750 Ibuprofen is typically used for short-lived pain triggered by inflammation, such as period 91 00:05:23,750 --> 00:05:28,980 pain, toothache, or back pain, and the maximum dosage is around six hundred milligrams, or 92 00:05:28,980 --> 00:05:33,330 two standard two hundred milligram pills taken orally three times a day. 93 00:05:33,330 --> 00:05:37,530 If someone is suffering from a more consistent, recurring pain, then their doctor might prescribe 94 00:05:37,530 --> 00:05:42,200 them slow-release ibuprofen, which is taken fewer times throughout the day, with large 95 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:45,070 gaps of around ten to twelve hours between each dose. 96 00:05:45,070 --> 00:05:49,690 It’s recommended that ibuprofen – when in capsule, granule, or liquid form – should 97 00:05:49,690 --> 00:05:54,100 be taken alongside food or drink to reduce the possibility of the painkillers disrupting 98 00:05:54,100 --> 00:05:55,220 the stomach. 99 00:05:55,220 --> 00:05:58,330 Most doctors will tell you not to take it on an empty stomach. 100 00:05:58,330 --> 00:06:02,780 There are a number of other known side effects of ibuprofen, too, and these can affect more 101 00:06:02,780 --> 00:06:05,080 than one in every one hundred people. 102 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:09,481 It can occasionally trigger temporary headaches, and it’s advised that you shouldn’t use 103 00:06:09,481 --> 00:06:13,390 other medicines to alleviate these headaches should they occur. 104 00:06:13,390 --> 00:06:16,849 Ibuprofen does not mix well with some other medicines, especially in any of its orally 105 00:06:16,849 --> 00:06:18,040 taken forms. 106 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:22,690 If ibuprofen makes a person feel dizzy, then it's recommended that they avoid coffee, cigarettes, 107 00:06:22,690 --> 00:06:25,820 and alcohol and instead lie down. 108 00:06:25,820 --> 00:06:29,850 Ibuprofen can also cause nausea in some people, in which case they need to stick to simple 109 00:06:29,850 --> 00:06:32,530 meals and avoid rich or spicy foods. 110 00:06:32,530 --> 00:06:37,010 Being sick, experiencing gas, or suffering indigestion are also known to be caused by 111 00:06:37,010 --> 00:06:38,610 ingesting ibuprofen. 112 00:06:38,610 --> 00:06:43,000 If any of these side effects persist, a person should contact their doctor and avoid taking 113 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:45,449 any other medicines to treat these side effects. 114 00:06:45,449 --> 00:06:49,830 When applied to the skin, ibuprofen is less likely to have an effect on any other medications 115 00:06:49,830 --> 00:06:53,580 present in a person’s system, but when taken orally, it can. 116 00:06:53,580 --> 00:06:58,130 This is why it’s worth, for the sake of safety, to mention to a doctor any other medication 117 00:06:58,130 --> 00:07:00,870 you may be taking before you start taking ibuprofen. 118 00:07:00,870 --> 00:07:05,229 There’s also not a lot of evidence to suggest that it’s safe to take any herbal remedies 119 00:07:05,229 --> 00:07:10,660 or supplements alongside ibuprofen, as these are not tested in the same way as pharmaceuticals. 120 00:07:10,660 --> 00:07:15,949 However, ibuprofen can be taken safely alongside some other painkillers, like paracetamol or 121 00:07:15,949 --> 00:07:16,949 codeine. 122 00:07:16,949 --> 00:07:21,479 However, it should not be taken with others from the same group, such as aspirin. 123 00:07:21,479 --> 00:07:26,479 Both ibuprofen and aspirin belong to a particular family of painkillers known as NSAIDs. 124 00:07:26,479 --> 00:07:32,080 This stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and if taken together, too many NSAIDs 125 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:36,410 in a person's system can increase the risk of developing side effects. 126 00:07:36,410 --> 00:07:40,610 Speaking of aspirin, this is highly similar to ibuprofen in a lot of ways. 127 00:07:40,610 --> 00:07:45,220 Both are NSAIDs, and both are everyday painkillers used to treat similar types of pain caused 128 00:07:45,220 --> 00:07:48,180 by inflammation, as well as cold and flu symptoms. 129 00:07:48,180 --> 00:07:53,259 And, much like its fellow NSAID, aspirin is often found as an ingredient in cold and flu 130 00:07:53,259 --> 00:07:58,349 medicine; you’ll find aspirin as an ingredient in medicines like Anadin, Alka-Seltzer, and 131 00:07:58,349 --> 00:07:59,910 Beechams Powders. 132 00:07:59,910 --> 00:08:03,570 Aspirin mainly comes in pill form or as suppositories, which are… 133 00:08:03,570 --> 00:08:08,599 well, we probably can’t say on YouTube, but those are pills that go in ‘the other 134 00:08:08,599 --> 00:08:09,890 end’ from the mouth. 135 00:08:09,890 --> 00:08:13,520 Aspirin gel also exists, and can be used on mouth ulcers and cold sores. 136 00:08:13,520 --> 00:08:17,699 Where this particular painkiller starts to differ from ibuprofen is in how aspirin is 137 00:08:17,699 --> 00:08:22,380 typically prescribed and to whom, as it is not suitable for everyone, as well as how 138 00:08:22,380 --> 00:08:27,100 quickly it takes effect – and spoiler alert, it’s a lot faster than ibuprofen. 139 00:08:27,100 --> 00:08:30,861 While most types of aspirin can be purchased from pharmacies and supermarkets, aspirin 140 00:08:30,861 --> 00:08:33,729 is only suitable for people over the age of sixteen. 141 00:08:33,729 --> 00:08:37,710 There is a potential link between aspirin and Reye’s syndrome in children, a condition 142 00:08:37,710 --> 00:08:40,719 that can cause severe damage to the liver and brain. 143 00:08:40,719 --> 00:08:45,459 As a result, aspirin shouldn’t be given to a child unless prescribed by a doctor. 144 00:08:45,459 --> 00:08:50,779 Those also experiencing symptoms of high blood pressure, indigestion, liver or kidney problems, 145 00:08:50,779 --> 00:08:54,500 or gout should also first consult a doctor before taking aspirin. 146 00:08:54,500 --> 00:08:59,050 Normally, aspirin is found in pills of three hundred milligrams, and one or two should 147 00:08:59,050 --> 00:09:03,520 be taken at the same rate as paracetamol – which is to say, every four to six hours. 148 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:07,690 A person should not exceed more than twelve doses over the course of a single day. 149 00:09:07,690 --> 00:09:11,190 There also exist low-dose forms of aspirin that can be prescribed to those who have suffered 150 00:09:11,190 --> 00:09:14,730 heart attacks or strokes or to some pregnant people. 151 00:09:14,730 --> 00:09:19,100 However, this is different from taking aspirin for pain relief and should only be done when 152 00:09:19,100 --> 00:09:21,560 recommended by a medical professional. 153 00:09:21,560 --> 00:09:26,990 Aspirin works by blocking a particular enzyme in the body known as cyclooxygenase. 154 00:09:26,990 --> 00:09:31,720 This enzyme is responsible for producing a range of hormones known as prostanoids. 155 00:09:31,720 --> 00:09:36,050 These are present within our blood and regulate the activity of blood platelets, the cells 156 00:09:36,050 --> 00:09:39,470 that allow blood to flow through the narrow vessels of the lungs. 157 00:09:39,470 --> 00:09:44,329 These prostanoids also affect inflamed areas of the body, like sprains or damaged joints. 158 00:09:44,329 --> 00:09:49,700 So, by reducing the amount of cyclooxygenase, aspirin prevents these blood platelets from 159 00:09:49,700 --> 00:09:53,149 sticking together, thus reducing pain and inflammation. 160 00:09:53,149 --> 00:09:57,170 However, because of the effect it has on the blood, one of the most common side effects 161 00:09:57,170 --> 00:10:00,280 of taking aspirin is the increased risk of bleeding. 162 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:04,460 Without the platelets sticking together, patients may occasionally experience minor or severe 163 00:10:04,460 --> 00:10:08,000 bleeds, commonly within the stomach or intestines. 164 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:11,710 Severe bleeds can also occur in the brain, which can lead to a stroke. 165 00:10:11,710 --> 00:10:16,350 While a rare outcome, this is a potentially very dangerous side effect of taking aspirin. 166 00:10:16,350 --> 00:10:20,300 As a result, doctors will not prescribe it to just anyone, especially those known to 167 00:10:20,300 --> 00:10:23,690 have a sensitivity to this painkiller, for their own safety. 168 00:10:23,690 --> 00:10:26,970 In those with asthma, aspirin can also trigger asthmatic attacks. 169 00:10:26,970 --> 00:10:31,470 Generally, it is not recommended that anyone who is otherwise healthy takes over-the-counter 170 00:10:31,470 --> 00:10:36,029 aspirin unless told to by a doctor to treat a specific pain. 171 00:10:36,029 --> 00:10:40,329 Additionally, those taking other medications should seek professional advice before taking 172 00:10:40,329 --> 00:10:44,740 aspirin, as taking it alongside medicines that are intended to prevent blood clots can 173 00:10:44,740 --> 00:10:46,800 also lead to bleeding problems. 174 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:51,140 There are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs other than aspirin and ibuprofen, the 175 00:10:51,140 --> 00:10:54,300 third belonging to the NSAID family being naproxen. 176 00:10:54,300 --> 00:10:58,620 This painkiller specifically targets pain in the joints and muscles, and as such, is 177 00:10:58,620 --> 00:11:02,430 used to treat rheumatoid arthritis – caused by the swelling of the lining of the joints 178 00:11:02,430 --> 00:11:07,019 – osteoarthritis – arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints –as 179 00:11:07,019 --> 00:11:12,520 well as gout, period pains, and muscular or bone disorders, including back pain, sprains, 180 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:13,520 and strains. 181 00:11:13,520 --> 00:11:18,220 Naproxen is typically only available by obtaining a prescription, either as pills or in a liquid 182 00:11:18,220 --> 00:11:19,220 form. 183 00:11:19,220 --> 00:11:23,529 Much like the other aforementioned NSAIDs, naproxen works by blocking certain enzymes 184 00:11:23,529 --> 00:11:26,520 – in this case, cyclooxygenase. 185 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:30,980 This prevents a process called prostaglandin synthesis, those same chemicals that are reduced 186 00:11:30,980 --> 00:11:32,769 by ibuprofen. 187 00:11:32,769 --> 00:11:36,520 Prostaglandins elevate the body’s temperature and make nerve endings more sensitive to pain 188 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:41,750 transmission, so naproxen seeks to reduce pain by blocking the enzymes relating to it. 189 00:11:41,750 --> 00:11:45,709 While it is considered to be effective at alleviating short-term pain, naproxen comes 190 00:11:45,709 --> 00:11:50,480 with the same risks as other NSAIDs, in that it can have adverse effects on the stomach, 191 00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:53,420 as well as potentially increasing bleeding tendency. 192 00:11:53,420 --> 00:11:57,790 It can interfere with other forms of medication and may even increase the risk of a stroke 193 00:11:57,790 --> 00:12:02,600 or heart attack, so should only be taken under the advice of medical professionals. 194 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:07,139 That brings us to opioids, and don’t worry, that’s not the sound of the police on their 195 00:12:07,139 --> 00:12:08,139 way. 196 00:12:08,139 --> 00:12:12,850 The word opioids, or opiates, does bear some relation to opium, which is the plant that 197 00:12:12,850 --> 00:12:15,660 certain narcotics, like heroin, are derived from. 198 00:12:15,660 --> 00:12:19,800 The difference is that, for one, an opiate is naturally occurring while an opioid has 199 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:24,589 synthetic elements to it; for another, there do exist weak opioids that won’t land you 200 00:12:24,589 --> 00:12:26,040 in trouble with the law. 201 00:12:26,040 --> 00:12:31,110 And some of these are even used as painkillersixt A few common examples of so-called weak opioids 202 00:12:31,110 --> 00:12:34,210 include codeine and dihydrocodeine. 203 00:12:34,210 --> 00:12:37,899 While they might commonly be described as being ‘weak,’ these opioids can be highly 204 00:12:37,899 --> 00:12:40,589 effective when it comes to treating more severe pain. 205 00:12:40,589 --> 00:12:44,600 However, they come with their own share of potentially adverse effects – including 206 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:48,810 the risk of dependency and addiction – and, as a result, should be handled with care. 207 00:12:48,810 --> 00:12:53,329 There also exist stronger opioids, including morphine, however, these are rarely made available 208 00:12:53,329 --> 00:12:57,930 to the public and are usually only administered to patients in a hospital rather than being 209 00:12:57,930 --> 00:12:59,160 prescribed by a doctor. 210 00:12:59,160 --> 00:13:03,459 One of the aforementioned weaker opioids, codeine, is perhaps the most well-known of 211 00:13:03,459 --> 00:13:05,320 this particular painkiller family. 212 00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:09,040 It’s often combined with paracetamol in pills known as co-codamol. 213 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:14,850 Typically, codeine is used to treat ongoing pain after other options like paracetamol, 214 00:13:14,850 --> 00:13:18,181 ibuprofen, aspirin, or other NSAIDs have proven ineffective. 215 00:13:18,181 --> 00:13:23,579 In particular, codeine can be prescribed after a patient has suffered an injury or following 216 00:13:23,579 --> 00:13:27,380 a surgical procedure, as well as given to those suffering from diarrhea. 217 00:13:27,380 --> 00:13:32,579 However, rather than blocking specific enzymes like NSAIDs do, codeine and other opioids 218 00:13:32,579 --> 00:13:36,380 like it will instead affect a person’s central nervous system and brain. 219 00:13:36,380 --> 00:13:40,360 They block the pain signals sent from the brain to the rest of the body, and this can 220 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:44,399 often have a calming effect, reducing the natural stress that the brain goes through 221 00:13:44,399 --> 00:13:46,399 in response to an injury. 222 00:13:46,399 --> 00:13:50,220 Dosages of codeine are often considerably lower than those of other painkillers like 223 00:13:50,220 --> 00:13:54,850 aspirin or paracetamol, and it is usually found in pills of only fifteen, thirty, or 224 00:13:54,850 --> 00:13:56,149 sixty milligrams. 225 00:13:56,149 --> 00:14:01,481 The standard dosage for adults is one or two thirty milligram pills every four hours, with 226 00:14:01,481 --> 00:14:04,290 no more than eight being consumed in one day. 227 00:14:04,290 --> 00:14:08,279 Much like the others we’ve mentioned, codeine comes with potential side effects, and the 228 00:14:08,279 --> 00:14:11,300 higher the dose, the more likely someone is to experience these. 229 00:14:11,300 --> 00:14:16,649 This can include feeling constipated, sick or nauseous, sleepy or dizzy, as well as experiencing 230 00:14:16,649 --> 00:14:18,250 confusion and headaches. 231 00:14:18,250 --> 00:14:22,459 However, there is also the risk of becoming addicted to codeine, a danger it shares with 232 00:14:22,459 --> 00:14:24,139 its fellow opioids. 233 00:14:24,139 --> 00:14:29,029 Most doctors, when prescribing codeine, will be able to offer advice on how to avoid this 234 00:14:29,029 --> 00:14:33,820 outcome, but signs of an addiction can include feelings of agitation if someone misses a 235 00:14:33,820 --> 00:14:34,820 dose. 236 00:14:34,820 --> 00:14:38,769 It’d probably be irresponsible to discuss opioids without briefly touching on some of 237 00:14:38,769 --> 00:14:44,040 the wider effects that the proliferation of opioids has had in the United States specifically. 238 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:48,699 Improper prescription of opioids, often after major surgical treatments, have resulted in 239 00:14:48,699 --> 00:14:53,900 a national opioid crisis - Where thousands of addicts, particularly in rural areas, have 240 00:14:53,900 --> 00:14:58,660 been forced into inescapable spirals of addiction that often lead to overdose. 241 00:14:58,660 --> 00:15:03,769 Globally, over 100,000 people die of opioid overdose every year - with an increasing number 242 00:15:03,769 --> 00:15:07,920 of these being due to fentanyl, an extremely potent synthetic opioid. 243 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:14,040 In 2019, opioid overdose has been declared responsible for 15.8 deaths per 100,000 people 244 00:15:14,040 --> 00:15:15,400 in the USA. 245 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:19,420 Experts suggest that one of the biggest drivers - and therefore, one of the most potentially 246 00:15:19,420 --> 00:15:24,480 valuable angles of attack against the opioid crisis - is overprescription, often driven 247 00:15:24,480 --> 00:15:26,230 by pharmaceutical companies. 248 00:15:26,230 --> 00:15:30,639 Tighter regulations on opioid prescription are needed in order to curb this issue, but 249 00:15:30,639 --> 00:15:35,399 until such regulations are passed, there are good reasons to feel a little skeptical if 250 00:15:35,399 --> 00:15:40,279 you find your doctor is a little too eager to prescribe the latest synthetic opioid. 251 00:15:40,279 --> 00:15:44,339 These are some of the most commonly available painkillers, and exactly what they do to our 252 00:15:44,339 --> 00:15:45,779 bodies to help us out. 253 00:15:45,779 --> 00:15:50,700 As we mentioned, if you find yourself experiencing any pain beyond that which an ordinary paracetamol 254 00:15:50,700 --> 00:15:53,600 can help with, then it’s always worth consulting your doctor. 255 00:15:53,600 --> 00:15:56,211 They’ll be able to advise you best on what painkillers are right for what ails you! 26812

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