Muscle relaxers help alleviate the pain resulting from muscular injuries. In this article, we explain the side effects of skeletal muscle relaxants.

Muscle Relaxers

Muscle relaxers seem to be the most common quick-fix solution for treating muscular pain. These relaxers, basically, work by acting on the central nervous system and soothing the pain. They are used for treating the pain, stiffness or any other discomfort resulting from strains, sprains, muscle spasms and other muscular injuries. Muscle relaxants only help in relaxing the injured muscles and alleviating the pain and in no way, do they heal the injury. Though the drugs may provide some relief, they are certainly not a substitute for the other, better forms of treatments. After using them, one should not immediately spring back into the normal active lifestyle, for it will make the injury even worse.
 
Some examples of muscle relaxers are carisoprodol (Soma), chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte DSC), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), and methocarbamol (Robaxin). In some countries, they are available only on professional’s prescription, while in others, they are available over-the-counter as well. Other treatments and therapies may also be recommended with muscle relaxants. Though these relaxants are given by doctors in case of acute pain, people are usually advised against using them in excess. The reason is that though they do lessen the pain, they also cause a number of side effects in the individuals ingesting them. Through this article, we will help you explore the common conditions that are treated by muscles relaxants and the side effects that might result from them.
 
Conditions Treated By Muscle Relaxants
The common health problems for which the muscle relaxants can be used are: 
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Mechanical low-back or neck pain
  • Myofascial pain syndromes
  • Nocturnal leg cramps
  • Tension headaches 
There are some Neurological conditions (related to spasticity) as well, which can be treated using skeletal muscle relaxants. They are: 
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Muscle spasms following strokes
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injury 
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants Side Effects
Too much consumption of skeletal muscle relaxants might lead to certain side effects in people. In the following lines, we have listed the most common side effects of skeletal muscle relaxants.
  • Blurred vision as well as double vision is a common side effect of muscles relaxants.
  • Too much ingestion of the relaxants might lead to constipation is some and diarrhea in others.
  • Impairment of mental and physical abilities required for driving or operating hazardous machinery
  • Dizziness and drowsiness can be seen
  • Nervousness and confusion might result from use of muscles relaxants
  • There might be an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
  • Dry mouth is yet another side effect.
  • Dyspepsia (chronic or recurrent pain in the upper abdomen, upper abdominal fullness and feeling full earlier than expected, when eating)
  • Fatigue is another common side effect of muscles relaxants.
  • Regular consumption of the relaxants can cause headache, heartburn, hiccups and even nausea.
  • Those consuming too much of muscles relaxants can encounter sleep problems.
  • It might lead to stomach cramps, trembling, vomiting, and weakness.

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