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Pain relievers or what is also called pain relievers are sometimes misused a lot. Although the goal is to relieve pain, some people actually use it for non-medical purposes. This is evidenced by data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse which states that around 54 million Americans use painkillers not to relieve their health problems.
In fact, every day more than 115 Americans die from overdoses of prescription pain relievers such as Vicodin, OxyContin, and Fentanyl. Unfortunately, it is not only the prescribed pain relievers that are dangerous. Over-the-counter pain relievers are also prone to be consumed in excess of the proper dosage.
Symptoms that appear during an overdose of pain relievers
Prescription painkillers can usually provide a pleasant sensation when taken for the first time. This is what ultimately makes many people addicted. Unfortunately, you will not get the same sensation if you consume the same dose at a later date. As a result you need to increase the dosage to achieve the same highest sensation as when you tried it for the first time. This condition makes many people overdose.
When you have an overdose your body will usually produce a variety of special symptoms. The following are various symptoms of an overdose of pain relievers to watch out for, namely:
- Dizzy
- Fainting
- Sleepy
- Limp body
- The pupil shrinks
- Stomach ache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cold and sweaty skin
- Blood pressure has dropped dramatically
- Breathing is slowed down and shallow (such as fully tired)
- Burning feeling in the throat and stomach
- Make a sound like a snore (snoring)
- Lips blue and face and finger tips pale
- Eye movement that is rapid and exceeds normal conditions
- Does not respond to external stimuli, such as not answering when called
- Difficulty breathing and slow pulse
- Loss of consciousness
Risk factors for painkiller overdose
Each drug has a maximum consumption limit of each. However, each person has a different tolerance limit for the body. The following are various risk factors that can increase the risk of overdose:
- Over 50 years of age.
- Poor mental health conditions.
- Have a history of previous overdoses.
- Have a dependence on painkillers.
- The dose prescribed or consumed is higher than recommended.
- Using some prescription painkillers or other substances that suppress the central nervous system, such as alcohol.
