Postoperative Complications
Numerous studies have been done related to surgery and the effects from alcohol and drinking. Many have reported that abstinence from alcohol and tobacco prior to surgery reduces the amount of postoperative complications. Heavy drinking and smoking can also lead to a higher chance of infection and other complications. The reason for this is that both alcohol and tobacco negatively affect the overall function of the body's organs. As a result, post-surgery, heavy drinkers and smokers have a greater chance of wound infection and cardiopulmonary complications. For example, researchers from Bispebjerg University Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark studied patients who had hip and knee replacement surgery and correlated recovery time and smoking (see Resources). The research revealed that smokers who quit or reduced their habit were much less likely to suffer complications (18 percent) than those who who did not quit or cut back (52 percent).
Slows Healing Process
Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes can also hinder the overall function of the body's immune system, and can cause blood pressure to rise and patients' blood to thin out. If a person is having surgery, she will want to ensure that her blood will clot quickly so she can begin the healing process as quickly as possible. The same Denmark-cited study above revealed that four weeks of preoperative alcohol intervention significantly improved patients' organ functions before surgery, which led to a quicker healing process.
Negatively Affects Sleep
Heavy use of tobacco and alcohol can interrupt a healthy sleep cycle. Sleep is very important to the body post surgery. Sleep helps the body to heal and to readjust. Without a regular sleep cycle, the body will not heal as quickly or as effectively.
Intensified Side Effects of Anesthesia
For very heavy drinkers or alcoholics, the aftereffects of anesthesia may be more intense. A patient should notify his physician if he drinks heavily, so the physician can suggest some post-operative medications that will help to reduce the side effects. For instance, very heavy drinkers may experience withdrawal symptoms post surgery which can lead to sleeplessness, poor appetite, sweating, tremors, convulsions and seizures.
Tags: heavy drinkers, alcohol tobacco, from alcohol, function body, healing process