Painkillers are medications used to treat pain, and they come in a wide variety of types and brand names. They may be taken orally as liquids, tablets, or capsules, or through injections. Some are also available as creams or ointments.
Like all medications, painkillers should be taken for the shortest possible time and at the lowest effective dose to manage pain. This approach helps to reduce the risk of side effects. Most people only need pain relief for a few days (such as for a toothache) or weeks (like after a muscle strain).
However, some individuals suffer from chronic painful conditions and may need to take painkillers for extended periods. This includes people with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or chronic back pain.
But a new study conducted by Newcastle University warns that doctors should limit how long painkillers are prescribed in order to avoid the risk of obesity and sleep deprivation. The study revealed that commonly used pain medications like gabapentin, pregabalin, and opioids may double the risk of weight gain and are also linked to difficulty sleeping.
Researchers evaluated the cardiovascular health of over 133,000 participants, comparing BMI, waist circumference, and blood pressure between those taking painkillers and those on medications prescribed for heart or metabolic conditions only.
Conditions that often require pain medications include migraine, diabetic neuropathy, and chronic lower back pain. In 2016, 24 million opioid prescriptions were issued in the UK — double the number in 2006. Two years prior, 11,000 people were hospitalized due to opioid overdoses.
According to the study, 95% of people taking both opioids and heart medications were found to be obese, 82% had a high waist circumference, and 63% had elevated blood pressure, compared to those on heart/metabolic medications alone.
Dr. Sophie Cassidy, lead researcher, stated: "Over the past two decades, there has been a sharp increase in the number of people taking opioids for chronic pain. This study is the largest of its kind to explore the link between painkillers and heart health — and general well-being. It shows that patients on opioids tend to have worse overall health, including higher rates of obesity and sleep problems."
These findings support calls to prescribe these drugs for shorter durations. Furthermore, there are natural alternatives to painkillers that may help relieve discomfort without side effects. Some of the most effective include:
Natural Painkillers
Turmeric: Known for its strong anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric can help relieve pain related to arthritis, psoriasis, backaches, muscle pain, and toothaches. You can add it to your meals or drink it with warm milk.
Chili Peppers: Contain capsaicin, a natural compound that can reduce pain for 3 to 5 hours weekly. It's especially effective for headaches and migraines.
Peppermint: Often used for tooth pain, bloating, gas, skin irritation, headaches, and muscle aches.
Cinnamon: Contains anti-inflammatory agents and is effective in relieving menstrual cramps and discomfort during menopause.
Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil has potent anti-inflammatory effects similar to those found in common pain medications like ibuprofen. It’s best used raw, added to cold dishes.
