Dr Gerald M Sacks states that there is a misunderstanding that OIC is not treatable. The practitioners need to discuss the patients about which medicine will be beneficial for them. If they have tried the approaches and have not worked, it is necessary to start something like methylnaltrexone to inhibit the opioid effect on the gut.

Considering it important to discuss the potential adverse effects of the medications with the patients, Dr Sacks discusses personally with every patient to know their bowel function. Some of his patients are referred by other practitioners for management and treatment of the chronic pain associated with OIC. He even educates the patient and even the practitioner about the appropriate treatment.

Dr Gerald M Sacks feels that there is an increasing acceptance of the usage of peripherally acting µ-opioid receptor antagonists. The health care professionals need to be comfortable discussing the adverse effects of the medications in order to prevent the development of OIC.

About Dr Gerald M Sacks

Dr Gerald M Sacks shares that OIC must be a normal part of each patient’s visit. It is important that the practitioner makes the patients comfortable while phrasing this question. They must be asked about the quality of pain, its intensity, how often it occurs, and what they are doing to increase their pain, whether pharmacologically, using physical therapy modalities or lifestyle changes.