21 Jul Understanding the Link Between Hyperalgesia and Chronic Opioid Use

Hyperalgesia refers to an individual’s increased sensitivity to pain. Patients suffering from hyperalgesia may exclaim, “It hurts everywhere!” For example, imagine being pricked by a needle and ranking the pain on a scale from one to ten. Most people would say the pain from the needle prick is a three. This is our baseline. However, an individual with hyperalgesia pricked by a needle would rate the pain at a seven or eight.

This heightened sensitivity to pain involves sensory neurons that aren’t functioning properly. When hyperalgesia is present, nocieptors send a signal to the spinal cord, which amplifies the pain signal. Most over-amplification of pain occurs in the spinal cord, though there are also cases where it occurs in the brain as well. Sensitization of the central neurons mean that every part of the body can suffer from increased sensitivity to pain.

Does Opioid Use Contribute to Hyperalgesia?

Opioid-induced hyperalgesia is also known as “paradoxical hyperalgesia,” as the drugs meant to treat pain actually result in pain. Opioids are meant to reduce the pain stimuli, but over time, the body responds to opioid use and finds a way to create an even more painful response to noxious stimuli. As the body builds tolerance to these drugs, chronic use results in opioid induced hyperalgesia. One of the ways to combat this is to increase opioid use. However, this can potentially be dangerous, as a higher dose could further increase an individual’s tolerance.

The paradox is that by eliminating pain through opioids, the opioids themselves can cause even more pain in the long-run. Now that the nervous system has been altered because of drugs, it’s overactive and wound-up, which makes it more difficult to reset the alarm and treat the cause of pain.

In some cases, it’s certainly appropriate to use opioids to treat pain. However, a more natural and holistic approach to pain treatment and management can usually be applied. Patients and their healthcare physicians should consider the pros and cons of each treatment together. While opioids certainly prevent and eliminate pain, the con is that they can result in pain in the future. By weighing the benefits and disadvantages of each option, you ensure making the best possible decision for your situation.

Fortunately, it’s possible to treat hyperalgesia through non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other solutions. It’s time to invest in a holistic and more personalized approach to healthcare.