Tramadol is a drug that is sometimes referred to by the brand names
Ultram or ultracet. It is considered an opiate agonist, a class of drugs
that changes the way the body senses pain. In the case of tramadol, it
can also block pain receptors in the brain. Tramadol is often mixed with
acetaminophen, which is an over-the-counter pain killer. It is only
available legally with a prescription in the United States.
Tramadol is primarily prescribed for those in moderate or moderately
severe pain. This pain can be for a number of reasons such as recent
surgery, broken bones or pinched nerves, just to name a few. Chronic
patients receiving painful therapies or who are in the terminal stages
may be given tramadol to ease their pain. The reason it is generally
prescribed short-term is because it can be highly addicting and is a
very hard habit to kick once addiction sets in. If a patient on tramadol
needs pain medication for longer than usual, they may be switched to
another drug to prevent this from happening.
Acid reflux is also referred to sometimes as gastroesophageal reflux
disease, or GERD for short. It is a condition where stomach acids come
back up, burning the esophagus as they do. It can turn into a more
painful condition called esophagitis. When it does become painful,
tramadol may be prescribed in small doses to ease the discomfort.
There are several bone, leg and muscle disorders that tramadol can help,
most commonly fibromyalgia. This is a condition marked by chronic pain
in several areas of the body. It can also cause stiffness that can be
debilitating. Bone pain associated with injury or osteoporosis can also
trigger a prescription for tramadol. Patients with problems with their
joints or tendons, such as arthritis or osteoarthritis patients, may
also get a prescription to help with the pain. Restless leg syndrome can
also be treated with tramadol is severe cases.
Headaches are fairly common, and everyone gets them at some time or
another. A regular, tension-caused headache likely isn't cause for a
tramadol prescription. However, those with chronic and painful headaches
such as migraines or cluster headaches may get a prescription because
these types of headaches can be debilitating. The inability to work,
sensitivity to light and other symptoms caused by these headaches can
sometimes be helped with tramadol.
