Swallowing anything before a procedure, especially a surgical one, can not only be both dangerous and irresponsible, but it could result in hormonal issues that are difficult to predict – and even harder to solve. A variety of medications, supplements, and foods can have unexpected impacts on the balance of hormones once they get into the bloodstream.
Before exploring the risks associated with swallowing before a pre-op, it's important to break down what hormones are, and why they are such a critical factor in so many average people's lives.
Hormones are chemical messengers of the human body. The purpose of hormones is to send messages between cells, organs, and tissues. Depending on the type of hormone, it will either tell a cell or organ to start or stop a certain activity. The body relies heavily on the delicate balance of hormones; too much or too little of any one hormone (known as hormone imbalance) can cause serious issues with physical and mental health.
For those considering surgery, it's important to ask your surgeon about food, drinks, supplements, and medications that should be avoided pre-op. It's also advisable to avoid drinking alcohol the night before and taking any kind of antihistamines. If you are uncomfortable asking these questions, you should make sure to speak to your primary care physician first.
One of the more common medications that has shown to cause a hormonal imbalance when swallowed before a pre-op is oral birth control. Taking this hormone-altering medication before surgery can cause an unexpected shifts in hormones, depending on the patients’ particular body chemistry. Symptoms of a hormonal imbalance caused by this can include extreme fatigue, disturbances in sleep, mood swings, and changes in appetite. Unfortunately, treating these symptoms with medication after the fact can often be a try and error process.
Plus, with regards to surgery and medications, the goal is always to lessen the amount that the patient has to take prior to their procedure. An experienced surgeon will speak with their patient to determine what medications must be taken before an operation and if necessary, suggest alternative methods.
It's also important to remember that oral supplements can do just as much damage as an entire bottle of pills. Many treatments which happen orally – such as herbs, oregano or cinnamon, for example – can disrupt the natural balance of hormones once they've made their way into the bloodstream. Oftentimes, this can means lost energy, out of sync menses, and extended PMS, making it difficult to go through the day-to-day grind until the issue corrects itself.
The best option is to proceed with caution when deciding what to swallow before a pre-op. It's always a good idea to consult a medical professional, shake up your diet a bit, and be mindful of drugs, supplements, and vitamin intakes.
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