By Admin 
If you or someone close to you has ever had an operation, you must have noticed that the doctor or the hospital staff refuses to eat or drink anything for several hours before the operation. Many times the patient and his family do not understand what the operation means on an empty stomach. Many people wonder what difference drinking a little water or tea will make? Some people even force feed something to the patient.
Whereas, eating and drinking before the operation can prove to be very dangerous. This can even put the patient’s life in danger. That is why doctors repeatedly emphasize that one should not eat anything for at least 6 to 8 hours before surgery. So let us know why doctors refuse to eat or drink anything before the operation and what is its effect.
Why do people refuse to eat or drink anything before the operation?
When an operation takes place, in most cases the patient is given general anesthesia, that is, a medicine that makes the patient completely unconscious. During this period, some normal activities of the body like swallowing, coughing or suppressing vomiting stop temporarily. Now if there is food or water present in the stomach, then during anesthesia that food can come up in the form of vomit and go into the windpipe. Due to this, food or liquid can reach the lungs. This condition is called aspiration.
Aspiration can cause very serious conditions. Like infection in the lungs, difficulty in breathing and even life threatening. This is called aspiration pneumonitis. Therefore, it is very important that the stomach is completely empty before the operation so that this risk does not exist.
Disadvantages of eating and drinking before operation
1. Problem of vomiting or nausea – Vomiting is a common problem after operation. If the stomach remains empty then the possibility of vomiting or nausea is reduced.
2. Danger of aspiration – If there is food in the stomach and it enters the lungs, it can prove fatal.
3. Problem in operation – Especially in stomach or intestine surgery, if the patient has eaten something, then the stomach is not cleaned properly, due to which the surgery can be postponed or become difficult.
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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.
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