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Senior Member (**Dr Smith is named after a character from Lost in Space, not a medical doctor)
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lost in Space
Posts: 3,515
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Senior Member (**Dr Smith is named after a character from Lost in Space, not a medical doctor)
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lost in Space
Posts: 3,515
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Coach
Can chronic pain cause dental problems.
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Hi Coach,
In a word, Yes.
From: http://www.practicalpainmanagement.c...tractable-pain
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Undertreated severe, chronic, and intractable pain depletes many hormones.5-8 With good pain control, some low serum hormone concentrations may return to normal.9 Some adrenal stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenalin, may elevate in uncontrolled pain as evidenced by tachycardia and hypertension. Prolonged hypercortisolemia produced in severe, intractable pain may produce manifestations of Cushing’s disease including osteoporosis, dental erosion, obesity, fatigue, and muscle wasting. Adrenal insufficiency, with symptoms of Addison’s disease including cachexia, hypotension, electrolyte depletion and muscle wasting, may occur as the adrenal gland exhausts. While severe, chronic pain produces some hormone deficiencies, opioid administration may also suppress pituitary excretion and worsen some hormone deficiencies, particularly testosterone and possibly thyroid.
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And from: http://www.practicalpainmanagement.c...in-update-2010
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The most destructive effects in severe chronic pain patients that have been observed first-hand by the author are osteoporosis, dental erosion, obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and poor pain control. Of particular note has been progressive spine degeneration often involving the entire spine.
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It should be noted that dental erosion has also been linked to long-term opioid use. I do not know if this is directly due to the opioids or to the underlying chronic pain, but as either/both have been implicated, I don't know that either can be ruled out.
HTH,
Doc
__________________
Dr. Zachary Smith
Oh, the pain... THE PAIN...
Dr. Smith is NOT a medical doctor. He was a character from LOST IN SPACE.
All opinions expressed are my own. For medical advice/opinion, consult your doctor.
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