Pain is a necessary evil that warns the brain when there is a problem in the body. Special cells, called receptor nerve cells, send pain messages through the affected nerves and spinal cord to the brain. Pain medications work by blocking the transfer of these messages. Pain relief is important, especially after surgery, because it enables a patient to rest and recover. Thankfully, there are plenty of pain-relievers available today, some of which are specifically targeted for post-surgery pain.

Post-surgery pain medications can helps a patient get back on his or her feet, which can help prevent serious complications like blood clots and pneumonia.

Oral Medications and Intravenous Medications

Oral medications can be in the form of pills or liquid. The most common and inexpensive over-the-counter oral medications include aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen. For patients experiencing nausea and vomiting or difficulty swallowing oral medications are not recommended. Because the body must first absorb oral medications, they may take longer to act than intravenous (IV) medications.

Intravenous pain relief is important because some procedures, especially surgeries that involve the mouth, throat, and esophagus, make swallowing medications – even liquids – impossible.

If you or someone you know has had surgery in recent years, you are probably familiar with the intravenous pain relief delivery system known as patient controlled analgesia, or PCA. With PCA, the patient is hooked up to a programmable IV pump that administers a fixed dose of pain medication at the press of a button, so the patient has the medication exactly when needed and does not have to wait for a nurse.

The three general types of pain relief medications are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and local anesthetics.

NSAIDs

For mild pain, and reduction of swelling and tenderness, a doctor may prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. NSAIDs work by reducing the production of prostaglandins, powerful hormone-like substances that activate the body’s inflammatory response and produce pain and fever. The most commonly used NSAIDs are aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. For some patients, they provide effective pain relief, plus the bonus of no risk of addiction. NSAIDs are used for recovery from both minor and major surgeries. The most common NSAID side effects are upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting. If taken chronically, NSAIDs can cause stomach ulcers, bleeding, and even increase the risk of heart attack.

For acute pain and short-term therapy, a doctor may prescribe an opioid. The most common opioids are codeine and morphine, which work by interfering with transmission of pain messages to the brain, as well as changing the brain’s perception of pain. Opioids can be habit-forming and carry a risk of addiction, especially when they are not used as prescribed and taken for too long. Unlike NSAIDs, opioids do not cause abdominal pain or bleeding. However, they may cause drowsiness, itching, constipation, nausea, and may interfere with breathing and urination.

For your health and safety, it is important to note that some opioids contain acetaminophen, which is also a common ingredient in many over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and cold medicines. An acetaminophen overdose can lead to serious and even deadly consequences, such as liver damage or liver failure. If you are on an opioid, consult your doctor before taking any OTC medication.

Local anesthetics help block pain only at the specific site where they are injected. Procaine is a very common local anesthetic, often used in dental procedures. For extended pain relief, several shots of local anesthetic are required. Locals do not have as many common side effects as other types of pain relievers, but in some people they can cause serious allergic reactions (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of mouth, tongue, lips, etc.)

Epidural Analgesia

In an epidural, pain medication is injected directly into the epidural space, the outer-most part of the spinal cavity, by way of a tiny catheter. Epidurals are commonly used for women giving birth, and in chest and stomach surgeries. Afterwards, the epidural catheter can be left in place for easy administration of post-surgical pain medications.

Nerve Block

A nerve block is anesthesia that’s targeted to a specific area, like the arm or leg, to block pain messages from traveling to the brain. For extended periods of pain relief, a doctor may insert a catheter to administer a medication, such as morphine, continuously. A properly administered nerve block can provide pain relief during and after surgery, with a reduced risk of nausea and vomiting.

Spinal Anesthesia

Spinal anesthesia works faster than epidural anesthesia, since the medication is injected directly into the spinal fluid. Relief is not as long lasting since there is no epidural catheter in place, but some physicians may add a long-acting opioid to the spinal medication to help relieve pain for up to 24 hours after surgery.

Summary

In conclusion, there are many different ways to control pain after having surgery. It is important to remember that, while some drugs can cause serious side effects if taken for too long, they are safe to take for short periods of time as directed by your physician.