My husband (62) has been diagnosed with a hernia. He won’t be able to see the neurosurgeon for a few weeks. He is otherwise healthy, only his blood pressure is a bit high. Which pain reliever is the least harmful to his health?
Male, 62
Joris Bartstra, journalist with medical diploma
The pain of a hernia is often difficult to treat because it is a neuropathic pain: the function of the nerve itself is disturbed. Of the ordinary painkillers, a drug such as tramadol gives you the best chance of being effective. If the pain is very bad, morphine-like drugs are often given. However, they have the disadvantage that you constipated that you have to push, and that is very bad with a hernia. Incidentally, the pain of a hernia is often such that I would not cut back on painkillers. Most painkillers cause little or no harm when used for a short period of time.
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