Managing Osteoarthritis: What You Don't Know is HurtingYou

   Twenty-seven million Americans suffer every day from chronic discomfort and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There have been limited advancements in osteoarthritis therapies, leaving patients with fewer options and worsening symptoms. Because daily activities can be such a struggle, doctors and patients have increasingly turned to synthetic pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids (narcotics).

   What many people may not know is that long-term use of NSAIDs and opioids can have dangerous side effects. NSAIDs come with serious warning labels and carry even greater risk for people with kidney, stomach or heart conditions. Prescription opioid use -- and resulting deaths -- have quadrupled over the last 20 years, according to the CDC. People using opioids are also at risk for heart issues, addiction, falls and other accidents due to extreme drowsiness.

   “Osteoarthritis patients just want to be able to get through their day, but opioids (narcotics) and NSAIDs should not be a first choice for chronic disease management; we need to explore other options,” says Dr. Dean Mariano, director of the Spine and Pain Institute at MidState Medical Center in Connecticut and chairman of the Connecticut State Medical Society’s Task Force on Opioids.

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