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Endorphins, the Body’s Natural Pain Killers and Exercise

Endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers and exercise

The word is derived from endogenous ( inside the body) and morphine( morphine like effect)


Hence , endorphins are chemicals produced by the brain during certain periods that have effects similar to morphine and other opioid drugs. They however, do not cause dependence and addiction like the drugs.


Another significant difference is with regard to the duration of action. Endorphins ( which are made up of smaller subunits of proteins called peptides ) are rapidly degraded by the body’s enzymes unlike externally administered drugs which tend to act for long periods.

Their effect is brought about by activating certain receptors and modifying the transmission of other chemicals that communicate between nerve cells. Endorphins are most commonly released during periods of pain and stress.


In addition to lowering pain, they also have several positive effects on mood and even boost the immune system. This has potential implications in management of precancerous cells and research is going on in this regard.


Mood elevating effects are commonly seen after exercise and is the basis of the term ‘runners high’ .


While the extent of endorphins’ contribution to this is still a matter of debate among scientists, what is clear is that endorphins are found in higher concentration after bouts of exercise.


Typically, half an hour of continuous, moderately intense exercise releases endorphins.

For those less inclined to strenuous athletic activity , there is good news.


Other triggers for endorphin release include eating chocolates or chillies, sex, massage, acupuncture, laughter and meditation.


Its another known fact that endorphin levels differ among people. Apart from resting levels, the amount of activity required or the duration of the response also varies tremendously.

In another promising research area , similar pathways to the endogenous opioid system have been discovered with even more wide ranging effects such as memory , anxiety , sleep and appetite. Potential drugs targeting these areas are of great promise and indeed exciting times are ahead.


We now have yet another reason to exercise regularly. If nothing else, it simply makes us feel good and increases our immunity.


Care must be taken however , not to overdo it. High endurance and intensity exercises done for long periods of time ( for eg. triathlons and marathons ) results in the body also producing steroids to cope with the stress, thereby temporarily decreasing immunity. In such cases , enough time should be given for rest and recovery.


 


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More Pain Killer Articles

Causes of Pain Killer Addiction among Teenagers

Teenage painkiller drug abuse is one of the major health concerns in US as many of the teenagers are getting addicted to these harmful drugs. According to a NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) report, about 5.3 million were current abusers of painkillers in 2009. About 1 in 10 high school children were abusing painkiller, Vicodin and about 1 in 20 reported using OxyContin for non-medical purposes.

The teenagers experience a high or euphoric effect for the first time as they intake painkillers. They may start taking these drugs in order to experience these effects but later, it may lead them to addiction. There are numerous causes of painkiller addiction among the teenagers like influence of other people, escape and self-medication, boredom, rebellion, instant gratification, lack of confidence, misinformation etc. Each of these can contribute to a life-long habit of taking painkillers.

Teen painkiller addiction involves non-narcotic and narcotic painkillers
In order to get relieved from emotional and physical pain, teens get addicted to non-narcotic and narcotic painkillers. Non-narcotic painkillers are the over-the-counter medications, but they can also be prescription drugs. They are very easily accessible by the teenagers which may lead to drug abuse. Narcotic painkillers are mainly used for chronic illnesses or they are prescribed to the people who are severely injured or while dealing with a surgery. Commonly abused painkillers are Opiates like Vicodin, Codeine, OxyContin and Demerol.

Causes for teen painkiller addiction
The teenagers may get addicted to painkillers because of various reasons which may include experimentation, emotional and physical stress, family history of painkiller addiction, low self-esteem, family tension, relationship problems etc. The other causes include:

Peer pressure
The most common reason for painkiller addiction among the teenagers is because of the influence of their friends. Sometimes these friends even urge them to try these harmful painkillers. They imitate other addicted peers in school or the addicts in their neighborhood. They generally start with experimentation of these hazardous painkillers but end up with addiction.

Easy to get prescription drugs
It is easy for the teenagers to get painkiller medications prescribed for others. Painkiller medications are readily available for the teenagers in many households. Due to their easier availability, many of the teens are getting addicted to painkiller medications without knowing the dangerous effects of them. They may forge the prescription of their parents or elders who are using pain medications to get the prescription drugs. An addict may also take painkiller prescription from different doctors by stating some false illness to get the prescription medications.

Believe that prescription drugs are not harmful
Many of the teenagers wrongly perceive that the prescription drugs are not harmful as they are medically prescribed by doctors. They believe that prescription drugs are safer than the illegal street drugs such as Heroin or Cocaine. Many of them fail to understand that they are powerful drugs that need to be monitored and dosed properly.

The painkiller addiction among teenagers can cause many adverse effects on their health. The health effects of painkiller medications include nausea, constipation, dizziness, dryness of mouth, cardiovascular issues, hallucinations, hives, delirium, low or high heart rate, muscle rigidity, elevated intracranial pressure etc. The intake of prescription medications without the direction of a doctor may even lead to death.

Lack of supervision and communication between parents and teenagers may lead to pain killer drug addiction among the teenagers. Therefore, parents or elders should always keep an eye on teenagers. Teens should be regularly checked if they are stealing prescriptions, medications or money. These pain medications should be kept out of reach of teens and the unused medications should be discarded. Creating awareness and educating teenagers about the harmful effects of painkiller medication abuse will prevent them from getting addicted to the painkiller medications.


Bone Cancer Pain Killer

Stage 4 breast cancer, or advanced breast cancer, has metastasized to other tissue including bone tissue, lung tissue, or the liver. When breast cancer has overwhelmed the body’s natural defenses and spread this far by the time the cancer is first diagnosed, the 5-year survival rate drops to 16%-20% in the United States (American Cancer Society).

Bone Cancer Pain Killer

Up to 5% of white women in the U.S., and up to 9% of black women have advanced breast cancer spread to distant tissue at the time of first diagnosis (SEER). This difference is usually attributed to poverty and lack of health insurance.

In general, women who have advanced breast cancer at the time of diagnosis live approximately 18 months after diagnosis (median survival rate). Those who are still alive five years after their diagnosis of advanced breast cancer can live an additional 3.5 years (median survival rate) according to the American Cancer Society.

Since this is the most deadly category of breast cancer, it is important to work closely with all the health care providers. New treatments are being developed all the time, and second, or even third opinions may give the patient more information about newly discovered successful solutions.

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Early detection is clearly the most important factor in breast cancer survival rates. Breast cancer detected at Stage 1 while it is still localized to the breast has a survival rate of 98%-100%, while metastasized breast cancer first detected at Stage 4 drops down to 16%-20%.

Early detection procedures must include monthly self-examinations done at the same time each month. From age 20-40, healthy women should have clinical breast exams performed by their health care providers every three years. After age 40, the breast exams should be annually and should include a mammogram or similar procedure.

North American white women have the highest rates of breast cancer in the world, but the 5-year survival rate for all stages (Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, and Stage 4) combined is 88% for the U.S. A recent study found European countries have lower 5-year breast cancer survival rates, with England at 77.8% and Ireland at 76.2% (Lancet Oncology).

The difference in these survival rates is usually attributed to life-saving early detection.

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