Pain Relief After Tonsillectomy
Patients usually experience inadequate relief from pain after surgery because of inadequate dosage, or when medications are not given at the right time intervals. Ideally, analgesics or pain relievers are given at a dose computed according to the patient’s body weight, as in milligrams per kilogram of body weight. They should not exceed the doses recommended.
The frequency and timing of drug intake should also be followed, and for pain to be adequately covered, medications are usually given regularly, on an around-the-clock basis in the first few days, later shifting to a per-need basis. Thus, if a drug were meant to be taken every 8 hours (or thrice a day), skipping or delaying a dose may result in pain.
Plain acetaminophen syrup or suppositories are usually given to children under 6 years of age. Aspirin is not recommended, because it may cause bleeding and, in rare cases, lead to a condition called Reye’s syndrome, where the kidneys are adversely affected, causing death.
For older children and adults, acetaminophen with codeine may be prescribed. Doses and frequency are usually recommended by the physician, or calculated according to the weight and age of the patient. Some non-steroidal analgesic drugs, like ibuprofen, may be prescribed by doctors, but others stay away from them because of the possible complications, like bleeding and stomach irritation. These medications may be bought over the counter, and packaging usually includes recommended doses.
When pain and difficulty in swallowing have diminished to a more tolerable level, analgesics may be given on a per-need basis, rather than around-the-clock.
Other symptoms, like vomiting and irritability may be relieved as a consequence of adequate pain relief. To avoid eating discomfort or children refusing to eat or drink, cold liquids and soft foods, like ice cream, may be started. Recommended foods after tonsillectomy are usually provided by the physician. Avoiding sour juices, like citrus drinks, and crunchy or hard foods also helps decrease pain with swallowing. If symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, medical consultation should be sought.