The long-term use of the club drug ketamine also known as Special K, may change function of the bladder, which can escort to niggling symptoms urgency and pelvic pain, revealed a novel study. The misuse of ketamine, a well known powerful anesthetic, is on increase in many countries.
The repeated use of this drug has been associated with mental problems like as hallucinations, impaired memory, thinking and concentration. It can also cause high blood pressure. A team led by Dr. Siu-king Mak from The Chinese University of Hong Kong examined sixty-six people aged between thirteen and twenty-five, with history of ketamine use.
They analyzed the lower urinary tract function of study participants using questionnaire including question related with pelvic pain, urgency and frequency plus sonograms and measures of urinary flow. The active ketamine users used an average of twelve and half grams per week, with broad variation and a maximum weekly use of sixty-four grams.
Dr. Mak and team found that use of ketamine three or more times a week was linked to measurable dysfunction of the lower urinary tract. Especially, this level of use was considerably attached with lower urine output volumes. This is the first report of its kind that shows the dose relation of ketamine abuse and deterioration of bladder function.
In earlier study ketamine users who had abstained from ketamine for more than one year tended to have higher voided volumes than active ketamine users. These proofs should be communicated to young adults abusing ketamine and to general population. The possible side effects on the lower urinary tract should be mentioned to patients with chronic pain and using ketamine, added Dr Mark.
The ultrasound scans showed kidney inflammation in twenty-five percent of active ketamine users than five percent in nonusers. The scores on the PUF (Pelvic Pain, Urgency and Frequency) were considerably higher for those using ketamine for more than two years, in comparison to short-term users.
It has become apparent that regular use of ketamine for longer period of time will have adverse effects on physical and mental health. Dr Mark and team concluded that the study provided a basis for development of health promoting material which could be used in the community by welfare working seeking to encourage drug cessation.