Published:
7:00 a.m. August 29, 2022
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused many people to wait longer than usual for their operations or other procedures.
Sometimes when a person is called in for their procedure, they are unable to proceed because their situation has changed for one reason or another, meaning it is not safe.
Sometimes this is completely unrelated to the condition they need treatment for.
So a person may be waiting for a hip replacement, but also have a long-term condition, such as diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure).
If that long-term condition has not been well controlled in the background, your operation may not be able to take place because your blood sugar or blood pressure is too high.
So if you or someone you care for is waiting for a hospital appointment or treatment, it’s important to use this time to be as healthy as possible to ensure you’ll be fit and ready when the time comes.
In general, the fitter you are before an operation, the quicker your recovery can be afterward.
Here are some simple lifestyle changes that can help you take control of your health while you wait.
They’ll help keep you healthy, so it’s worth doing anytime, but if you’re waiting for an operation or procedure, they might keep you from being cancelled!
Make exercise and movement part of your daily routine
All exercise and movement provides health benefits and increases your fitness.
And fitness before surgery has been shown to help people go home sooner and recover more quickly.
Aerobic exercises are especially important as they strengthen the heart and lungs.
They will have to work harder after an operation to help their body heal, so exercise regularly to keep them strong and in the best shape possible.
In addition to aerobic exercise, moving regularly throughout the day is very important to improve circulation and prevent stiff muscles and joints.
Try to avoid sitting for long periods of time without moving. Getting up from your chair during TV commercial breaks, stretching while the kettle boils—all these little movements add up to the health benefits.
If you’re not currently active, start small with 10 minutes of activity a day and build up from there.
As with any exercise, talk to your GP or consultant before starting any new activity to make sure it’s appropriate and safe for your condition.
If you are normally active, it is important to stay active before your procedure to stay in shape.
What you eat and drink matters before your treatment
A healthy, balanced diet supports your immune system, which helps fight infection and provides your body with the nutrients it needs to help repair itself after surgery or treatment. These factors can also help you get home from the hospital faster.
Also, a healthy diet is important to help you maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, this puts a strain on your heart and particularly increases the risk of developing blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) after your procedure.
Drinking plenty of water helps you avoid dehydration and constipation
– Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Drinking plenty of water (not fizzy or sugary drinks) helps prevent dehydration and constipation, and also helps reduce the risk of developing blood clots.
Alcohol can reduce your body’s ability to heal. Be sure to drink within the recommended limits or less to enhance your ability to heal after your procedure.
Quit smoking or reduce your use of tobacco – it’s one of the best things you can do to prepare for treatment.
If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do to prepare your body for surgery or treatment. It can be difficult, but the benefits to your health are worth it.
If you are a smoker, quitting is the best thing you can do for your health.
– Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Smoking before a procedure puts you at increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, blood clots, pneumonia, and even death after the operation, so there’s never been a better time to make the decision to quit.
Smoking also prevents your body and any wounds from healing as quickly as they otherwise would.
What resources are there to help me make these lifestyle changes?
NHS Norfolk and Waveney is determined to help people get their treatment as quickly as possible, regardless of which hospital they are in.
The While You Wait portal on the Norfolk and Waveney ICS website provides people with advice on what they can do to maintain or improve their physical and mental health while they wait, as well as support on how to get help if they are worried.
It includes tips and information on staying healthy, including a downloadable Exercise at Home guide, mental health resources and links to local support services within Norfolk and Waveney, as well as other trusted sources of information.
It also includes information on waiting times, with links to the NHS My Planned Care portal, which provides access to average waiting times at hospitals across the country.
Caregivers, friends and family can also view the information on both portals and I encourage everyone to help guide your loved ones through the details and support them in making the lifestyle changes that will help them be better prepared for their death. treatment.
If you know someone who would benefit from these resources but are not online, please help them use these resources, encourage them to visit their local library or contact the Norfolk Libraries digital health hub for help accessing health advice. online.
For more information and advice and to book a place in the digital health hub, call 01603 774777 or email [email protected].
Dr Frankie Swords is Medical Director, NHS Norfolk and Waveney
