The number of deaths from heroin overdose in the United States doubled from 2010 to 2012 says federal health officials last October 2, 2014. The data for the report came from 56% of the population of 28 states.
Doctors say that the big increase in heroin-related deaths in the country can be rooted to epidemic narcotic pain-killer abuse by patients. Furthermore, it can be related to the unregulated prescription of cocktails of medicines like sleeping pills, pain-killers and the like.
Heroin overdose deaths increased from 1,779 to 3,665, doubling the death rate to 2.1 deaths per 100,000 people. The study also states that the condition affects both men and women in all age groups.
Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive drug processed from morphine so it can be used as a pain-killer. Heroin overdose is taking more than the recommended dosage of the drug. Overdose can impose a serious complication that can lead to death.
Approximately 0.6% of 15 to 64 year olds in the United States use opiates like heroin. If a person becomes dependent or addict, they are 6 to 20 times more likely to die compared to others in the population.
Overdose can manifest symptoms like shallow breathing to no breathing, dry mouth, small pupils, tongue discoloration, delirium and worst, coma and death. Several Hollywood starts were reported to die from heroin overdose, many of whom were chronic users.
The World Health Organization is working hand in hand with the federal health officials to monitor the use of heroin and other drugs as pain killers. Subsequently, they are trying their best to regulate doctors who are prescribing inappropriate drugs.
Careful and appropriate prescribing of medicines is important for every physician so they are sure that no abuse and overdose might cause severe complications and death of their patient.