no food or drink from midnight and on?
2007-07-10 01:20:47 · 9 answers · asked by genxr36 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
So you do not vomit when they sedate you. You could aspirate your vomit (inhale it) and choke to death.
2007-07-10 01:24:03 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. G 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I work in outpatient surgery and now they are saying not necessarily after midnight. The standard now is a patient can have clear liquids until about 4 hours prior to surgery. The reason for the NPO status prior to surgery is because when there is something on the stomach, there is a change to regurgitate and then aspirate.
2007-07-10 01:33:38 · answer #2 · answered by ~SheSul~ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
During surgery you will be given anesthesia and some other drugs. These drugs make some reflexes unfunctional- like the coughing reflex and the swallowing reflex will be temporarily disabled. With such reason, you have to fast before surgery to keep your stomach empty to avoid regurgitation of the stomach contents which possibly could go on the respiratory tract down to the lungs thus causing aspiration. If you are aspirated it will cause serious problems that could even cause death.
2007-07-10 05:04:19 · answer #3 · answered by ♥ lani s 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they generally give you a breathing tube. When you are on anesthesia, it relaxes your muscles throughout your body because they generally give you a muscle relaxant. This causes you to relax so much that you need assistance breathing. The opening of your stomach is relaxed from the meds...and because you are lying down, if there is food in your stomach, it can be aspirated into your lungs. This can cause an infection such as pneumonia. Also, some people get really sick from anesthesia. If you stomach is empty, it won't be as bad if you are throwing up after surgery.
2007-07-10 01:25:46 · answer #4 · answered by Moo Moo Mair 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It has nothing to do with the breathing tube.
When you have general anesthesia (and EVERY anesthetic is a potential general anesthetic), you lose the ability to protect your airway from regurgitated fluid and food. If anything comes up, it can go into your lungs, and that's bad.
If your stomach is full, you are at higher risk for regurgitation and aspiration (inhaling your vomit).
It probably also decreases the risk of post-operative nausea and vomiting, but we're really more concerned about the inhaling your vomit and dying thing.
2007-07-10 03:17:32 · answer #5 · answered by Pangolin 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
because in some surgeries they have to innebate(sp) you(put the breathing tube down your throat. Also in some people the sedation makes them sick. In both of these cases if you have a full stomach you could throw up and then suck this vomit down into your lungs.
2007-07-10 01:24:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
generally yes, you do. if you are going to be put to sleep, then they ask you to fast b/c you could aspirate into your lungs. basically, vomit into your lungs.
anyway, this is still a debate ongoing in the medical field.
best thing to do is follow your doctor's instructions. if they say no food or drink, then don't do it.
if they allow it, then if there are complications, then they will be aware of it.
take care.
2007-07-10 01:31:08 · answer #7 · answered by joey322 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you eat and then go into surgery the med they use to put you to sleep can make you throw up the food and then choke and.....well it would just be bad.
2007-07-10 02:35:26 · answer #8 · answered by .:.:.Mizz_undaStood.:.:. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Bill Cosby said it best the reason you have to fast, because if you don't you will throw up.
2007-07-10 01:23:46 · answer #9 · answered by trey98607 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
So you won't vomit or pooh during surgery. Yeah, I know how gross.......but it's true.
2007-07-10 01:27:46 · answer #10 · answered by mamac_197030 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋