Should You Avoid Medication For Backpain?

According to a study published in the journal Regional Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine, gabapentin increased the risk by more than double for groups previously thought to be too young to develop the conditions. The medication has grown in popularity as a treatment for chronic pain, particularly neuropathic (nerve) pain, according to a press release from the researchers. Gabapentin, which is also used to treat seizures, has a comparatively low potential for addiction when compared to conventional opioids, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Increased risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment

The study by Case Western University in Cleveland, claims that gabapentin users who take it for lower chronic back pain may be much more likely to develop dementia and mild cognitive impairment. According to our research, gabapentin prescriptions are linked to dementia or cognitive impairment within ten years. Additionally, the study's authors noted that a higher frequency of gabapentin prescriptions was associated with a higher incidence of dementia in the study published in the  journal Regional Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine.

The team compared groups of adults who had been prescribed gabapentin for chronic lower back pain between 2004 and 2024 to those who had not by looking at their medical records. Each group consisted of 26,414 people. The study found out that, within ten years of their initial pain diagnosis, patients who had taken six or more gabapentin prescriptions were 85% more likely to be diagnosed with MCI and 29% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia. When looking at particular age groups, gabapentin users between the ages of 18 and 64 had a more than twofold higher chance of developing either condition than non-users.

Also Read: Back Pain In Young Working Professionals: A Growing Epidemic In IT Cities Like Bangalore

Tips To Reduce Back Pain Without Medication

Dr. Shoibalini Karmokar, General Physician, Aceso, Mumbai, shares a few tips on how to reduce back pain without taking unnecessary medication.

Exercise:  To keep muscles strong and flexible, a person might think about beginning a daily exercise regimen that incorporates stretching and strength training. Frequent exercise may help avoid future episodes of back pain brought on by tense muscles. 

Improve posture: According to a 2019 study, the following exercises like yoga, pilates, tai chi may help with lower back pain and posture. Although attempting to improve one's posture may initially seem challenging, doing so can help lower the risk of further injuries.

Stretching: Stretching improves spinal alignment, eases muscle tension, and increases flexibility, all of which can greatly help with back pain. Stretching can relieve compressive forces on the spine and lessen pain and discomfort by relaxing and lengthening tense muscles.

Hot And Cold: For sudden, severe back pain, cold may have a numbing effect. To prevent frostbite, people can use specialised pain relief cold packs, an ice bag, or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel. Ice packs should only be applied for a maximum of 20 minutes, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

Also Read: Types Of Pain You Should Never Ignore, According To An Emergency Physician

Bottomline

It is increasingly becoming a norm to take medicine at the slightest of inconvenience. However recent studies have suggested that there are a lot of harmful side effects especially in the case  of pain killers. Dr Shoibalini suggests taking a medicine for pain should be the last option anyway, whether there are proven side effects or not.