Surgery is one of the treatment methods that is used in modern medical institutions. This effect on the organs and tissues of the body. Similar measures are carried out to combat pathology. However, sometimes surgery is performed in order to make a diagnosis. You need to prepare for this procedure. There are aspects that need special attention. For example, the question of why you can’t eat, smoke or drink alcohol before the operation.
Types of surgical procedures
These medical events are divided into several types. There are 2 categories:
- Therapeutic (aimed at combating pathology).
- Diagnostic (taking tissue for research in order to identify diseases).
Most of these processes take a long period of time.
Therefore, patients undergoing surgical intervention must prepare for them. To do this, you need to clarify with the doctor the rules of lifestyle and nutrition before a medical event. One of the most important questions is: “Why can’t you eat before the operation?” The sections of the article describe the reasons for refusing food.
Features of preparation
Surgical interventions are urgent, urgent and planned. The first group includes operations that are carried out almost immediately after a person was taken to a medical institution. The preparation of the patient in this case is as quick as possible. The second category includes activities that are carried out in the interval from 24 to 48 hours. This time is used for additional diagnostic measures. It is likely that the patient will not need surgery. Planned surgical interventions - procedures that require long preparation. It takes from 3 days or more, depending on the diagnosis. The question of why you can’t eat before the operation is most often asked by patients who are facing urgent or planned events.
It is necessary to follow a diet and adhere to a specific drinking regimen. Indeed, the patient's well-being depends on these aspects.
Why are there limitations?
Before a planned surgical intervention, the specialist tells the patient about when to eat for the last time before the procedure, which foods are allowed and what is prohibited. The doctor also explains the features of the drinking regimen. After all, not every liquid is suitable for use in this period. Why can’t you eat before surgery? The ban is quite obvious. Under the influence of anesthesia, the patient is in a state of deep sleep. If there is food in his stomach, an attack of vomiting may begin. Under anesthesia, the patient is not able to control his body. As a result, the contents of the digestive tract enter the respiratory tract and cause serious complications. In severe cases, the process ends in death. To avoid such a dangerous situation, experts recommend eating 12 hours before surgery, and then refuse food. For liquids, prohibitions are less stringent. You can drink before surgery. However, water is allowed at least 2 hours before the procedure. Doctors advise giving up alcohol-containing products 7 days before a medical event.
Features of the drinking regime
It is known that water is processed by the digestive system faster than solid food. Therefore, the ban on it is not so strict. Liquid should be excluded just 2 hours before surgery. Why can not I drink water before surgery? The explanation for this prohibition is the same as in the case of food. The patient may have serious complications as a result of vomiting. However, despite the fact that drinking is prohibited only 2 hours before surgery, not all fluids should be consumed. Soda, coffee, milk and kefir are excluded. Allowed water without gas, clear juice. Why can’t you drink alcohol before surgery? The reason for this prohibition is described in the next section.
Why is alcohol excluded?
3-7 days before surgery, it is recommended to refrain from such drinks.
By observing this rule, the patient can protect himself from the development of complications. Alcohol can have a thinning effect on the blood. During the operation, it will be difficult to stop. This situation is often fatal. In addition, alcohol-containing products affect anesthesia. Moreover, on some people anesthesia may almost not work, which increases the risk of awakening during the event. Others, on the contrary, fall into deep sleep after a small dose of drugs, and it is difficult to get them out of this state. Given all the circumstances, doctors recommend eliminating alcohol.
Why can’t you smoke before surgery?
People who use tobacco often ask this question. Cigarettes are prohibited a few hours before surgery. However, it is better not to smoke a day.
Substances in tobacco products can make blood thicker. Nicotine provokes uncontrolled spasms of the respiratory system, which is dangerous during surgery. In addition, cigarettes affect the central nervous system. Under their action, a person becomes anxious. It is difficult to enter such a patient into a state of sleep; he has a reduced threshold for sensitivity to pain. Often, these patients have serious side effects from the medication. In addition, the respiratory system of smokers is susceptible to viral pathologies.
Surgery and infection
If before the procedure the patient becomes ill with an acute illness, the doctor is forced to postpone the date of the operation. So that the doctor does not have to do this, the person who is undergoing the procedure needs to be careful about his health. Why can't I get sick before the operation? Surgery is stressful for the body.
If at the same time the patient suffers from an infectious disease, his condition can greatly worsen. As a result, the virus can lead to pneumonia, and a runny nose - to sinusitis. In addition, microbes often spread to that part of the body that undergoes surgical intervention. This slows down the recovery process. In addition, a cold can lead to respiratory failure during the procedure, which is extremely dangerous. Given all the risks, infections should be avoided before surgery.
Products that worsen the condition of the patient
Specialists explaining to patients why it is impossible to eat before surgery, emphasize that prolonged fasting during this period is also undesirable. It can weaken the body, reduce the effectiveness of the immune system. Keep in mind that some foods should be avoided. The list of prohibited foods includes:
- The meat is fatty.
- Confectionery.
- Mushrooms.
- Beans, peas.
- Soda.
- Spices, sauces.
- Canned food and smoked meats.
- Pearl barley, corn and barley groats.
- Desserts.
- Milk and dairy products.
- Pasta.
- Drinks containing caffeine.
- Cabbage.
- Tasteful vegetables.
- Cucumbers
- Cheeses of sharp varieties.
- The fruits are sour.
- Garlic.
- Fresh bread.
- Products from rye flour.
- Fried eggs.
Features of the diet during preparation for surgery depend on the nature of the procedure. The doctor should tell about the diet.
Foods to eat
Patients asking a question about why they should not eat before the operation, explain that during it the stomach should be empty. However, this does not mean that you need to go hungry all day.
The diet of the patient may include:
- Compote.
- Tea is weak.
- Juice.
- Omelette.
- Crushed potatoes.
- Dried fruits.
- Vegetables (stewed).
- Soup with potatoes.
- Steamed cutlets made of beef or chicken.
- Skinny fish.
Anesthesia is a procedure that is usually well tolerated. The answer to the question of why you can’t eat before the operation, and you need to diet for a few days, is that these rules allow you to avoid complications.