When to use muscle relaxants?
A neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain or a knee pain, – they indicate a musculoskeletal problem. The muscles that control different parts of the body maybe flexible, but are prone to damage. A sportsperson would know the value of these delicate muscles. The most common problem with muscles is cramps and spasms. This is when the doctor would suggest taking some muscle relaxants.
Some common causes of muscle spasms:
Excessive exercising: Working out excessively in the gym for prolonged hours can cause muscle spasms and cramps. If the body is not used to such regimens, one should not add stress to the muscles by changing the workout routine all of a sudden.
Lack of exercise: A sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise will lead to weight gain and cause the muscles to stretch and result in cramps. A moderate amount of exercise is required to keep the muscles in shape and well-oiled.
Poor diet: The human body needs a good amount of protein on a daily basis. Crash diets and lack of protein in the diet can cause muscle cramps. At the same time, a diet that has excessive protein in it can also cause cramps and aching muscles.
All these common problems can cause excessive pain and discomfort. However, there are different types of treatments for such pain including massage, physiotherapy, and medications like muscle relaxants. The doctor will decide which the best course of treatment for the patient is.
When to take a muscle relaxant?
Muscle relaxants are prescription drugs and cannot be taken without a doctor’s consultation. There are some off-the-shelf medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen that can address the pain temporarily. However, if these medications do not work then the doctor will conduct further investigation to ascertain the root cause of the pain.
In severe cases, the problem could be caused by an underlying liver condition or ulcers. In such cases, muscle relaxants are prescribed in conjunction with other medications.
It is prudent to remember that muscle relaxants are strong medications and are prescribed for chronic pains. If the pain is interfering with sleep and quality of life, it is better to take muscle relaxants. The nature of these drugs is such that they cause drowsiness and hence, should be consumed only during the nights.
Are there any side effects of taking muscle relaxants?
Every type of medication has some type of side effects. Muscle relaxants are concentrated medications and continuous usage of these medicines can cause some side effects. In rare cases, over usage or dependence on muscle relaxants can cause liver damage. Some of the most common side effects reported by people include:
- Tiredness
- Low energy levels
- Drowsiness
- Weakness and fatigue
- Dry mouth syndrome
- Dizziness
- Low blood pressure
- Depression
Conclusion
The doctor will ask the patient to abstain from alcohol if they are taking muscle relaxants. These medications hinder normal attention span and functioning of the brain. Even a low dosage of muscle relaxant combined with alcohol can have dire consequences. The effect of the medication lasts for about 4 to 6 hours. One should not drive or handle heavy machinery after taking these medications to be on the safe side.
