Serious Side Effects Of Muscle Relaxers

Muscle relaxers, also called muscle relaxants, are medications used to treat muscle spasticity or muscle spasms. Muscle cramps and spasms occur when there are sudden and involuntary contractions of a group of muscles or a singular muscle. Muscle spasms and cramps can be caused by muscle overuse and strain, dehydration, fatigue, and stress. Chronic conditions, including nerve disorders, can also cause them. Neck pain, lower back pain, and fibromyalgia all tend to present with cramping. Muscle spasticity occurs when a muscle continuously spasms to the point of tightness, rigidity, or stiffness. This condition can interfere with normal movement, talking, or walking. It is caused by conditions that injure the brain or spinal cord.

As mentioned, patients often take muscle relaxer pills as a treatment for muscle spasms. They are also an effective option for muscle cramp treatment. Some individuals may see benefits from taking muscle relaxers for neck pain. Of course, patients must understand the potential side effects of muscle relaxers first.

Dizziness

Dizziness is a common side effect of centrally-acting skeletal muscle relaxants. These medications are prescribed alongside physical therapy and rest to help with muscle spasm relief. They act on the central nervous system by creating a sedating effect or preventing the nerves from transmitting pain signals to the brain. As the effects of long-term use are not proven, patients should not take these for longer than two to three weeks. Patients experiencing dizziness may have trouble keeping their balance and suddenly get lightheaded when they stand up.

Though dizziness is not always a sign of a serious problem, patients should talk to a doctor if it is interfering with their day-to-day life. They also should not drive a car or do other potentially dangerous tasks until they are aware of how the medication affects them. Individuals should not take muscle relaxants with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants, as this can lead to worse dizziness and potential coma or death.

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