What is the biological basis for dosing pain killers “ahead of the pain” after a major surgery?
In: Biology
When an area becomes painful, the nerves are irritated and inflamed. It then takes more painkiller to treat the pain than it would if it never hurt much at all due to early pain treatment.
It takes time for the pain killers to take effect. Depending on the pain killer itself, it could be hours even. Often faster.
In any case it takes some time, so you give it to the patient before the surgery so it’s already in effect when the surgery takes place. Otherwise, the patient would be in full pain for some time before the medication kicks in. No reason to let someone suffer like that.
Pain medication is not instant. You want the medicine in the patient’s system and working before they actually need it.
Basically it’s a way of managing the pain and being kinder to the patient
Patient comfort, you want them to have painkillers in their system *before* the pain kicks in.
Preventative care is the best kind. If you have the slightest hint that pain will begin, it’s best to ask for the medicine before it becomes too unbearable.
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