Shop Plans
Health
Find a Health Plan
We offer a complete choice of plans to meet your coverage needs and fit your budget.
More Plans
Travel
Cancer
VIP
Dental
Get a Dental Plan
We offer three Traditional plans and three Certified plans to meet your needs.
Medicare
Pick a Medicare Plan
Thinking about your Medicare options? Find out which plan is right for you.
Find Doctor or Drug
Find a Doctor
Find a Doctor or Drug
Pick a directory to search or find other helpful information about drug resources, quality programs and more.
Directories
Louisiana Provider Directory
Quality Blue Directory
National Provider Directory
BlueDental Advantage Plus Directory
Davis Vision Directory
Hospital Based Physicians
ER/OR Information
Are you planning a hospital stay? If you just found out that you need surgery, or if you will be admitted to a hospital or ambulatory surgical center for any reason, you will most likely receive some care during your stay from a hospital-based physician. Learn more.
Other Directories
Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core
Federal Employee Program (FEP)
Rx Drug Resources
Manage your medicine, find drug lists and learn how to save money.
Quality Programs
Quality Blue Programs
We work with doctors, hospitals and clinics around Louisiana to make sure you have a better healthcare experience.
Save Money
$25 Gym Memberships
Find a Gym
For just $25 a month and a $25 enrollment fee, you'll have access to 9,000 participating fitness locations around the state and nation.
More Money-Saving Tips
Find Discounts
Lower Drug Costs
Preventive Care Services
Primary Care Doctor
Pick a Primary Care Doctor
Picking a primary care doctor is an important step to staying healthy and saving money.
Choose the Right Care
Where you and go and who you see for treatment is a big part of getting quality healthcare while saving money.
Wellness
Discounts
Get discounts on gym memberships, fitness gear, healthy eating, prescriptions and more.
More Wellness Tips
Tools
Member Programs
Find a Program
Whether you want to quit smoking or find the right doctor, we have many programs to help.
Wellness Library
Learn About Wellness
Read articles, take quizzes, watch videos and listen to podcasts about many health topics.
Learn
Insurance 101
Learn the Basics
Understand your plan, learn about health savings accounts, and watch helpful videos.
Social
Find Us on Social Media
Join the conversation and stay connected with us for exclusive content.
Straight Talk
Get Straight Answers
If you're looking for a straight answer to your healthcare questions, this is the place.
My Account
My Account Information
Claims
Benefits
Costs
Statements
Pharmacy
Manage Account
Manage Your Account
Pay your bill, view your statements or update your email or password.
Forms
Other Coverage Questionnaire
Authorized Delegate
Health Assessment
Analgesics are painkillers. Examples include:
Aspirin
Acetaminophen
Ibuprofen
Naproxen sodium
Taking one or a mix of these medicines daily over a long time may cause chronic kidney problems. This is called analgesic nephropathy. Painkillers that combine 2 or more medicines (such as, aspirin and acetaminophen together) with caffeine or codeine are the most likely to harm the kidneys. Painkillers with codeine require a prescription.
Long-term exposure to certain painkillers can damage the small filtering blood vessels in the kidneys. This can cause analgesic nephropathy, a chronic kidney problem.
These are the most common symptoms of analgesic nephropathy:
Fatigue or weakness, feeling unwell
Blood in the urine (hematuria)
An increase in urination frequency or urgency
Pain in the back or flank area (where the kidneys are located)
A decrease in urine output
Decreased alertness, such as drowsiness, confusion, or lethargy
Decreased feeling or numbness, especially in the arms and legs
Nausea, vomiting
Widespread swelling (edema)
Easy bruising or bleeding
Some people have no symptoms. Kidney damage may be picked up by routine blood tests. The symptoms of analgesic nephropathy may look like other medical conditions or problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and do a physical exam. Other tests may include:
Blood pressure checks.
Urine toxicology screen. This test measures the amount of the pain killer in the urine.
Urinalysis. Exam of urine for certain types of cells and chemicals, such as red and white blood cells, infection, or too much protein.
Complete blood count. This test measures the size, number, and maturity of blood cells.
Exam of any tissue passed in the urine.
Intravenous pyelogram. A series of X-rays of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. It uses an injection of a contrast dye. This helps find tumors, abnormalities, kidney stones, or any blockages. This test also checks blood flow to the kidneys.
Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.
Treatment may include:
Stopping all pain killers you have been taking, especially over-the-counter medicines
Dietary changes
Medicine
Behavioral changes or counseling to help control chronic pain
Treatment aims to prevent any further kidney damage and treat any existing kidney failure. Talk with your healthcare provider for more information about the treatment of analgesic nephropathy and kidney failure.
Analgesic nephropathy increases your risk of getting urinary tract cancers and heart disease.
Long-term use of pain killers can cause damage to the kidneys. This includes over-the-counter and prescription pills.
This condition is most common in people older than age 45. It is more prevalent in women older than age 30.
Often there are no symptoms. It may be found on routine blood or urine tests.
Symptoms are related to the buildup of toxins and waste products that are normally filtered by the kidneys.
Analgesic nephropathy can lead to acute kidney failure, cancer, or atherosclerosis in later stages.
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.