Review Article

Potential Role of Yoga Intervention in the Management of Chronic Non-malignant Pain

Table 1

Adverse effects of opioids [44].

S.No.Organ systemAdverse effects

1Respiratory systemRespiratory depression, obstructive and central sleep apnea, ataxic breathing, respiratory arrest, and death
2Central nervous systemIncreased risk of falls, cognitive impairment, myoclonus, delirium, depression, somnolence, and sleep disorders
3Cardiovascular systemOrthostatic hypotension, bradycardia, vasodilation, and an increased risk of cardiovascular events, e.g., myocardial infarction
4Gastrointestinal systemConstipation, nausea and vomiting, gastric reflux, delayed gastric emptying, abdominal cramping, and distension
5Immune systemDecreased wound healing, pruritus, altered cytokine production, increased histamine release, inhibition of macrophage, neutrophil, and natural killer cell activity and recruitment, increased HIV replication, and cancer progression
6Endocrine systemOpioid-induced endocrinopathy (usually only with high opioid doses, long-term), resulting in decreased libido, testicular atrophy, early menopause, and sexual dysfunction