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For thousands of years, people have been going to doctors to seek treatment for their ailments. And as early as 3,500 years ago, the Egyptians have been keeping written descriptions of medical treatments. It is believed that even before that, shamans and healers were already treating ill and injured patients with natural remedies. Margaret L. Salmon.

Over the recent decades, doctors and researchers found out that past remedies were doing more harm than good to patients. For instance, prescribing tobacco to treat asthma proved to be one of the biggest mistakes that doctors made in the 20th century. And there are various reasons for physicians to prescribe ineffective remedies. In the past, people would instead do something about their illness than nothing at all. It caused them to look for remedies that have not been tested. Margaret L. Salmon.

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The placebo effect may be the culprit for some cases. For some people, the belief in the power of treatment often makes them feel better. Doctors learn what works and what doesn’t by performing accurate scientific diagnoses, which then help them evaluate the treatments they give to patients. Medical trials done to a large number of people or sample size can help doctors determine the effectivity of the treatment. Margaret L. Salmon.

The science of medicine requires more than just belief in a treatment as established by the principle behind medical trials. In determining effective treatments, several factors must be eliminated. These factors are eliminated by blinding, a method used to prevent the issues of the placebo effect, and double blinding is one step further . Margaret L. Salmon.

How does the human body process medicine?

Medicines, which come in different forms, are important in keeping the body healthy against diseases. Even if ingesting medication seems simple, what happens inside the body is an elaborate process that involves different organs. Margaret L. Salmon shares how these remedies work inside the body. Pharmacokinetics is a branch of pharmacology that studies how drugs move within the body. For those who want to remember, ADME stands for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Here's a brief explanation of the process.

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Absorption

Margaret L. Salmon explains that different forms of medication are also taken to the bloodstream in different ways. Most oral medicines are absorbed in the small intestines while others in the stomach before it is regulated in the bloodstream. Intramuscular, subcutaneous, transdermal, or intravenous drugs are absorbed via the skin and lungs.

Distribution

The molecules found in common medications are often distributed through the bloodstream. In this process, the drug can take effect beyond the targeted part, which leads to side effects. However, Margaret L. Salmon explains that not all molecules can cross the so-called blood-brain barrier (BBB), which protects the nervous system from experiencing side effects.

Metabolism

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The liver is crucial in processing the chemicals found in medicines. During this step, the substances are turned into enzymes that integrates into the body to take effect. Depending on the person's physique, the time spent by the body processing enzymes could vary.

Excretion

Once the body has processed the drug, it has to be removed from the system. The chemicals leave the body naturally through tears, sweat, breath, saliva, urine, and bowel movement. If medication isn't properly eliminated from the body, it can cause drug toxicity.

A look at the effects of opioids and other dangerous drugs

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While the United States is still tight in a battle against the opioid epidemic that started two decades ago, the U.S. government has taken some major steps in restricting access to these extremely addictive prescription drugs. However, the combined efforts of the government as well as the numerous law enforcement bodies all around the country are not enough to win the long, drawn-out battle against drug addiction in the country. Margaret L. Salmon.


Many observers and historians believe that education and awareness are key factors, especially in keeping the younger generations safe and away from drugs. Margaret L. Salmon.
On that note, here are two of the more common addictive drugs making their rounds in society, and their dangerous effects.

Opioids

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Almost nobody back in the ‘90s thought that opioid use would get out of hand. However, with over-prescription and easy access to drugs, patients had no control in obtaining and overusing prescription medications. Aside from addiction, other effects of overusing opioids include, sedation, vomiting, dizziness, respiratory problems, and constipation. Margaret L. Salmon.

Ecstasy

Quite popular with the younger crowd, ecstasy, otherwise known as E (or at times X), is a designer drug that has claimed a number of lives over the years. The drug mixes hallucinogenic effects with that of stimulants, creating a more vibrant experience for users. It is also an aphrodisiac. The danger with E is that it’s easy to take a lot and overdose on it. Margaret L. Salmon.

Opioid addiction: Treatment and options

With the opioid epidemic hitting the U.S. in recent years, Americans have to be more cautious than ever about the medicines they take. This is easier said than done, especially if people consider that the root cause of all of this is chronic pain. A growing percentage of patients suffering from chronic pain who were prescribed opioids fall into dependency and addiction. Margaret L. Salmon.

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Fortunately, healthcare professionals and experts have come up with several treatments and options that are multi-faceted to deal with both chronic pain and the potential dependency on its medication.
Medical experts are approaching chronic pain the same way other chronic conditions are approached. For example, the conditions of diabetes or asthma have psychological and biological factors that trigger them. It is the same with chronic pain. Margaret L. Salmon.

One of the most important things that doctors do with patients suffering from chronic pain is to review the medical history thoroughly. Some conditions may be linked to chronic pain, and the management of this chronic pain may actually coincide with the management of these prior conditions. Margaret L. Salmon.

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Another important facet in the treatment of chronic pain and prevention of opioid dependency also lies in the consistent meetings between doctor and patient. Monitoring a patient’s condition can considerably lessen the need to take opioids, which will only be prescribed as needed.
It should be noted that chronic pain can only be managed, and opioid dependency can be prevented. Margaret L. Salmon.