Dangers of painkiller drugs

Commonly prescribed painkillers need to be given for shorter periods of time to reduce the risk of obesity and sleep deprivation. Findings show that medications commonly used to treat pain, like gabapentinoids such as gabapentin, pregabilin and opiates, increased the risk of obesity and were associated with poor sleep.

Scientists assessed the cardio-metabolic health - the inter-relationship between metabolic and cardiovascular disease in many participants. Body Mass Index, waist circumference and blood pressure were compared between those taking painkillers for chronic, non-cancer pain and cardio-metabolic drugs, compared to those prescribed cardio-metabolic treatment only. Conditions that can require the use of this treatment include migraine, diabetic neuropathy and chronic lower back pain.

Findings of the new study show people on opiates and cardio-metabolic drugs reported 95% rates of obesity, 82% 'very high' waist circumference and 63% hypertension, as opposed to those on cardio-metabolic drugs only. Results suggest that chronic pain medications should be prescribed for shorter periods of time to limit serious health complications. Opioids are recognised as being among the most dangerous prescription painkillers because they are addictive which can lead to them being abused.

Patients can require continuous use of the drugs to feel normal and avoid symptoms of withdrawal.
In the last decade, the number prescribed has doubled and long-term use has become increasingly controversial as the medication causes sleep disorders, daytime sedation and accidental overdose.

There are a number of possible reasons why opioids can be associated with significant weight gain and obesity. For example, they can act as a sedative which makes patients less active and they have been shown to alter taste perception with a craving for sugar and sweet foods. Opioids are also known to worsen snoring and untreated sleep apnea, as well as causing problems with nocturnal hypertension.
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Zika virus cannot be transmitted by casual contact

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne disease that is spread by the Aedes mosquito,
Casual contact like kissing or sharing of cutlery cannot transmit Zika virus from an infected person to others.

Mosquito bites are the major source of most Zika virus infections in people. After infection, the Zika virus is present in blood and saliva for two weeks, but it remains in bodily fluids like breast milk for weeks and semen for months.

The viral loads in the saliva are very low, anti-microbial components in the saliva also making that low level of virus less infectious than it might be in another bodily fluid like blood and semen.

Saliva is a viscous liquid, that prevents the ability of the virus to move and get to cells that they could infect.
Presently, there is no cure for Zika virus
infected person should rest, stay hydrated, use painkiller drugs and avoid mosquito bites.
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