What is narcotic bowel syndrome, the disease that almost killed Matthew Perry few years back
Narcotic Bowel Syndrome, or NBS, is a condition that’s often a hidden consequence of long-term opioid use, as mentioned in the US National Library of Medicine. Opioids, which are commonly prescribed for pain management, have become a crucial part of modern healthcare. Still, their overuse can lead to a range of adverse effects, including NBS. What sets NBS apart is that it’s characterised by frequent or long-standing abdominal pain associated with extended opioid use. This pain can worsen with higher doses of opioids or prolonged use. The exact reason why NBS develops is not entirely understood, but it’s thought to be related to hyperalgesia, which occurs in about 6% of chronic opioid users. This syndrome can significantly impact the patient’s quality of life, often leading to multiple emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
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