Anxiety is common during treatment, and surgery is not an exception. Although general surgery saves thousands of lives each day, most people fear undergoing such treatment. This deters many from seeking medical help, and the results can be devastating.
It’s normal to feel anxious and uncomfortable, though! But, you shouldn’t let the fear ruin your chances of recovery. Are you anxious about your next surgery? There are various things to do to cope better.
What are the possible effects of anxiety before surgery?
If you have undergone a general surgery before, I believe you know how hard it is not to worry about the procedure, anesthesia, and possible risks. However, severe anxiety episodes can do more harm than good. Anxiety can cause stress symptoms like a fast pulse, nausea, irregular heartbeat, and sleep problems.
These symptoms can be worrying and can worsen the pain during surgery. Again, anxiety makes it hard to remember the advice given about the procedure, including how to prepare or care for yourself after the surgery.
What is the best way to relieve anxiety before a general surgery?
1. Understand its effects
Dealing with anxiety involves understanding how it affects you. Anxiety is a strong emotion, and its function is to keep us safe from harm. It prepares your body to defend itself from danger and will likely raise your heart rate, blood pressure and interrupt your sleep. But, if the no real threat, this can have negative consequences, and a General Surgeon will help to navigate expectation and recoveries from a gallbladder, spleen, breast, or hernia surgery.
2. Distract yourself
Anxiety creeps in when you’re idle. Avoid sitting and worrying and devise ways to distract yourself. For instance, go for a walk, or chat with friends online. Music also works; grab your headphones and listen to your favorite tunes. You can as well read a book- just do anything that will keep you busy.
3. Practice relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques such as muscle relaxation, meditation will go a long way. Also, some hospitals offer Massages, homeopathy, aromatherapy, or hypnosis before surgery to help you relax and stay calm.
4. Seek counseling from hospital staff
Medical staff understand patients’ needs and can help you enhance your experience when seeking medical services. Most clinics offer counseling and social work services to provide the desired non-medical support. The type of support offered will depend on the cause of anxiety and medical condition. For instance, if you fear having anesthesia administered during surgery, you require a different type of support from a patient who fears being in a hospital setting.
5. Considersedatives
For inpatients, doctors usually give sedatives the night before an operation. Benzodiazepines are frequently used and will aid you to sleep. Other common sedatives include lorazepam, diazepam, midazolam. These medications relieve anxiety, boost relaxation and make you drowsy.
Wrapping up
It’s normal to feel anxious before surgery. Some people think that smoking helps relieve stress, but this isn’t true. It can lead to further complications and should be avoided. Therefore, consider the above ideas to stay calm during your next general surgery.