The answer to safely relieving chronic pain might rest in a strange place. Scientists have been looking at tarantulas as a possible solution for helping to relieve the symptoms of chronic pain, and they have made a surprising amount of progress on this front. Spider venom, particularly that from the Chinese bird spider, a tarantula, has shown promise when it comes to safely relieving the symptoms of chronic pain–and it can do so without a lot of the dangers that we see from other types of painkillers.
This is exciting news, especially because of the known danger that comes along with the use of opioids. Although they can be quite effective for some people, opioids also carry a lot of danger with them. They are addictive and they have been linked with a high rate of death because of accidental and intentional misuse.
The venom, known as Huwentoxin-IV, works by binding itself to pain receptors. The toxin is actually a mini-protein and it makes the receptors that it binds itself to unable to relay pain to the brain as they normally would. By altering the chemical structure of the venom and making the mini-protein more potent it can be targeted toward effectively treating pain.
There’s still a long way to go before this painkiller will be used on humans. A preliminary trial on lab mice has been completed and things do look promising, though. So far, the tarantula venom looks to be just as effective as opioids but without the negative consequences that opioids potentially bring with them. For those that have seen the effect of the opioid epidemic firsthand, this is exciting news. For those that are looking for an immediate solution to chronic pain, this is still just a long shot.
Chronic pain is a serious issue for a lot of senior citizens. It is a detriment to a peaceful and happy retirement. Unfortunately, it is a reality for millions of seniors in the U.S. High quality senior care is a good start. Research shows that people who are more active physically and socially are less likely to suffer from chronic pain. In-home care can create this engagement more easily than other types of care, which is one of the many reasons why this care is growing in popularity. It’s not a cure, but it can be a step in the right direction for a lot of people. Be sure to speak with a doctor if you are looking for help dealing with pain.
And if we can help in your care search, please speak to us. Senior care is what we do. And now that things have strayed far from the normal that we’re used to, finding a caregiver that you can trust is more important than ever. If you have questions about how care can enhance a loved one’s life, please get in touch. One of our professionals can speak to you over the phone or video chat and help guide you through the care process and how it might benefit you and your family.
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