Tramadol: A Long Lasting Solution for Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is an unpleasant reality that has the power to debilitate our performance in every field – be it work or personal life. It is an exhausting and frustrating experience which affects our day-to-day activities.

When a pain lasts for more than 12 weeks, it is usually termed as chronic pain. It has no clear cause. It might arise from a sprain that you’ve had months ago or due to an ongoing illness. It can occur in different areas of the body and for a variety of reasons known or unknown. It is truly an unpleasant experience for those who actually have to undergo such painful experiences. It does not only affect us physically but can also affect us emotionally. While the emotional aspects are hard to deal with, the physical aspects of pain can be taken care of.

Rest and physical therapy become a “must” for recovering from chronic pain. Doctors generally recommend us with pain medications which aid the process of overall recovery. Tramadol is an essential pain medication which helps in the treatment of chronic pain. It is just a part of the recovery process, which helps by changing the brain’s perception of pain. This way, we feel relieved from the discomfort and pain and can expect a quick recovery. It is to be noted that rest and therapy should not be neglected. All in all, we can expect an efficient recovery only if we are taking all the measures correctly according to the guidelines of a qualified doctor.

About Tramadol:

Tramadol, which goes by the brand name Ultram, is an effective pain medication for treating both acute and chronic pain. It can treat moderate to moderately severe pain.

It is an oral prescription medication which comes in immediate-release form and an extended release form.

The extended-release form of Tramadol is helpful in the treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain as it gradually releases the active drug. It should be taken once a day along with other treatments. There is no limitation on the number of meals and few or no sleep irregularities.

Dosage Guide for Tramadol (Extended Release):

The basic dosing instructions for Tramadol extended-release formula are as follows-

•    Take the lowest effective extended-release dose if you are using it for the first time.

•    The recommended initial dose for extended release is 100 mg

•    It should be taken once a day

•    The maximum recommended dose for chronic pain is 300 mg

•    You can take it with or without food

•    Do not increase or decrease the dose without the approval of your doctor

•    Do not overdose on Tramadol as it has addictive potential.

Side effects:

The possible side effects of taking Tramadol (extended-release) may include the following-

•    Mild headaches

•    Dizziness

•    Weakness

•    Fast or irregular heartbeat

•    Loss of sensation

•    Indigestion

•    Stomach cramps

•    Nausea

•    Vomiting

If you come across any of these side effects, please make sure to inform your doctor immediately.

Precautions before you take Tramadol:

There are certain key considerations which you should make before you take Tramadol for chronic pain. These are-

•    Before you take Tramadol, make sure to inform your doctor about any medical history relating to cardiovascular problems. This medication can increase the heart rate, fluctuate the blood pressure levels, worsen the prevailing conditions or lead to a cardiac arrest in extreme cases.

•    Do not take this medication if you are suffering from liver or kidney related disorders. This medication may not be completely removed from the body if these organs are not functioning properly. Drug accumulation can be dangerous for health.

•    Tramadol is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it might affect the unborn baby and might lead to miscarriages. Also, breastfeeding mothers are not supposed to take Tramadol as it might pass into the breast milk and can possibly harm the baby.

•    Do not use Tramadol in combination with alcohol, sedatives or any illegal pain medications as it might cause severe side effects like difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach ulcers or even internal bleeding.

•    Children and young adults under the age of 16 years are strictly prohibited from using Tramadol as there are no well-established results of using these medications in children or young adults.

•    Inform your doctor about any current medication you are taking such as antifungal medicines containing ketoconazole, antibiotics like erythromycin or linezolid, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, blood pressure medicines and medicines for nausea or vomiting.

•    Tramadol may show withdrawal symptoms if overdosed or used for a longer period. Do not stop the medication abruptly. Your doctor may ask you to gradually stop its intake before you stop it completely.

Conclusion:

Chronic pain is a frustrating experience that can ruin the quality of life completely. Self-management becomes a necessity in these cases. Apart from the reactive measures, we should also take proactive measures from the beginning so as to prevent such unpleasant scenarios in life. Prevention is indeed better than cure. Regular exercising should be done so as to stretch our muscles and keep them active.  A healthy diet with less fatty substances must be resorted to. Yoga and meditation can also be quite helpful in most cases. Drinking sufficient amount of water can keep us hydrated. All in all, a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle can be fruitful and can save us from worst case scenarios in terms of health.