Is Pain After Hernia Surgery Normal? What You Should Know
What to Do for Abdominal Pain After Hernia SurgeryIf you are experiencing pain after hernia surgery, we want to talk about it with you. This helps us learn how best to treat your hernia pain. As caregivers, we will ask many of the following questions before, during, and after pain control treatments to help us learn more about your abdominal pain after surgery. Show
Hernia Pain Medicine OptionsMedicine:
Hernia Pain Control TechniquesPain control techniques help you deal with pain instead of taking it away. It is important to practice the technique even when you do not have pain if possible. This will help the technique work better during an attack of pain. Activity: It is important to start moving as soon as possible after hernia surgery. Moving helps your breathing and digestion and helps you heal faster. But, it may hurt to move even though moving and being active actually helps lessen abdominal pain over time. At first you may need to rest in bed with your upper body raised on pillows. This helps you breathe easier and may help lessen post-surgery hernia pain. Cold and Heat: Both cold and heat can help lessen some types of post-op pain. Some types of pain improve best using cold while other types of pain improve most with heat. Caregivers will tell you if cold and/or hot packs will help your abdominal pain after hernia surgery. Pillow: Holding a pillow firmly against your incision can help lessen the pain. Distraction: By distracting yourself, you can focus your attention on something other than the pain. Playing cards or games, talking and visiting with family may relax you and keep you from thinking about your hernia pain. Watching TV or reading may also be helpful. Music: It does not matter whether you listen to music, sing, hum or play an instrument. Music increases blood flow to the brain and helps you take in more air. It increases energy and helps change your mood. Music may also cause your brain to make endorphins which further lessens pain. Relaxation Techniques: Stress and anxiety can make pain worse and may slow healing. Since it is difficult to avoid stress, learn to control it. Ask for more information on deep breathing exercises, muscle relaxation techniques, or meditation. Comfort Measures to Aid with Hernia Pain
Additional Information About Post-Surgery Hernia Pain Medication
Contact a Caregiver If:
What medications should not be taken with ibuprofen?Ibuprofen is also not recommended if you are being treated with antiplatelet medications, such as clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole, dipyridamole/aspirin (Aggrenox), prasugrel (Effient), andticagrelor (Brilinta). Taking these medications with ibuprofen can increase the risk of bleeding.
Does ibuprofen interfere with aspirin for cardiovascular disease?Patients with cardiovascular (CV) disease are at increased risk for cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke) when taking a non-aspirin NSAID such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium 2. For patients on an aspirin heart therapy regimen, ibuprofen may interfere with the cardioprotective benefit of aspirin 3.
Is it safe to take ibuprofen during pregnancy?If you are pregnant, you should stop taking ibuprofen by the fifth month of pregnancy as continued consumption may lead to complications or death of the fetus in-utero. If you are breast-feeding, taking ibuprofen is not recommended as the medication could be passed to the baby via breast milk.
What are the GI risks of ibuprofen?Patients over age 60 and patients with existing GI risks who take ibuprofen or any other NSAID are at higher risk of developing serious GI toxicities such as an ulcer or bleeding.
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