opioid-induced hyperalgesia

Opioid-induced hyperalgesia is a condition where, instead of relieving pain, long-term use of opioid medications makes a person more sensitive to pain. This occurs because opioids can change how the nervous system processes pain signals, amplifying them over time. As a result, a person who was initially helped by opioids may experience increased pain even while taking the medication as prescribed. Recognizing this condition is important for managing pain effectively, and it may require adjusting treatment strategies to address the heightened sensitivity.