New studies are showing opioids to be more dangerous to the human body than NSAIDs in patients with chronic kidney disease. NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are designed to reduce pain, fever, prevents blood clots, and decreases inflammation. The side effects vary and have been the subject of debate as of lately. They include an increased risk of gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeds, heart attack, and kidney disease.
Chronic kidney disease is long term and, possibly permanent damage to the kidneys. The kidneys filter the blood and allow the toxins and wastes collected to be expelled in urine. A diagnosis
of chronic kidney disease is life changing and requires a person to make many changes to their diet and life style, as well as being mindful as to what they consume in terms of medication.
Opioids act on opioid receptors to produce morphine-like highs and, medically they are primarily used for pain relief, including anesthesia. They are known for their addictive qualities and
have been proven to be responsible for many people’s later addictions to drugs like heroin. A person can become addicted to the high amount of opioids present in painkillers, but rather quickly, the person will need more and more to attain the same high. Eventually, they begin searching its most dangerous and illegal form, heroin.
In the recent study, researchers found opioids leave a person with a 1.4 fold risk of developing chronic kidney disease. The study looked at 3,939 people in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort.
Another team found similar results, with patients looking at a 1.4, 1.5, and 1.7 fold increase for KRT, pre-kidney failure death, and hospitalization respectively. It’s important to be mindful of what you put into your body, especially if you have or are prone to developing kidney issues. For more information about how to live your life with the healthiest kidneys possible, be sure to follow us all across social media!
Got feedback? We’d love to hear it!
