Postoperative pain can be eliminated without medication
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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Qualitative rest is able to restore the strength of a person, provide physical and mental comfort. After all, everyone knows that a healthy and full-fledged sleep reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases and the nervous system.
According to the results of the new study, it was found that only two available factors can alleviate the condition of the patient who underwent the surgery: a good sleep or a cup of coffee will be relieved from pain.
"The pain of varying intensity after surgery can be a serious problem. Scientists have long begun to study the relationship between pain and quality sleep - and this relationship does exist, "says Professor Giancarlo Vanini, an anesthesiologist at the Michigan Clinic in the United States.
As the professor explains, earlier studies have already demonstrated evidence that a sleep disorder leads to an increase in postoperative soreness. Even more: if the operated patient lacks a full-fledged sleep, then the pain after the operation acquires a protracted character. The scientists could not tell about the mechanisms of such an interconnection.
Professor Vanini focused his attention on studying the influence of periodic lack of sleep on the presence of postoperative pain in rodents. It was found that the lack of sleep makes the pain more intense and lengthens the rehabilitation period.
"To reduce the impact of sleep disturbance on the presence of soreness, we began to look for salvage medications, and settled on a non-standard solution - they used stimulant drugs," the doctor said.
Few could have come up with the use of stimulants to relieve the condition of people who already have sleep problems. However, in this case the solution turned out to be correct.
"Coffee and beverages with caffeine inhibit the action of adenosine in the structures of the brain. Since adenosine induces the effect of sleep, then after consuming caffeine a person becomes more cheerful. We liked this influence, especially since caffeine is an affordable and popular remedy, "says the professor.
After conducting an operative intervention of rodents, the researchers concluded that caffeine limits the natural increase in pain associated with a lack of sleep. "Is there an explanation for this effect? After blocking adenosine in the area of the anterior hypothalamus, we shielded its effect on painful sensory zones. As a result, tired of lack of sleep, rodents began to suffer less from pain, and the process of recovery accelerated, "scientists explain. It is also interesting that the effect obtained has no connection with the analgesic effect of caffeine. The essence is that caffeine introduces neurochemical adjustments to the brain zones responsible for sleep and vigor, and these adjustments for unknown reasons are redirected to areas of sensitivity to pain.
The results of the study allow doctors to think about creating new methods for getting rid of postoperative pain. In particular, this is important in relation to patients who before surgery virtually do not sleep, and the operation is already with the lack of sleep. According to Professor Vanini, such people can come to the rescue of additional sleep or a cup of coffee - of course, if there is no contraindication to its use.
A more detailed description of the research is presented in the Oxford edition of Sleep.
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