Why You Should Stop Eating and Drinking Before Anesthesia Procedures

Before undergoing an anesthesia procedure, the doctor will usually inform the patient about what can and cannot be done. This is to ensure that the anesthesia procedure is conducted safely and comfortably. One of the requirements is that the patient must fast before the anesthesia procedure.

Upon hearing this advice, some people might wonder about the reason behind it. Why is fasting mandatory before anesthesia? Find the explanation in the following article.

 

Why Is Fasting Important Before Anesthesia Procedures?

During anesthesia procedures, patients are typically required to fast for a specified period. This is not without purpose; it is to ensure the patient’s safety during the procedure.

Dr. Bayu Hidaya Budiman, Sp.An-TI, an Anesthesiology Specialist at Tzu Chi Hospital, explained the importance of fasting before undergoing anesthesia for surgery.

“When we are conscious, or even while sleeping, our airway has a reflex, like coughing, to protect the lungs from foreign objects. However, when a person is anesthetized, this airway protection mechanism is lost. If fasting is inadequate, stomach contents can enter the lungs, which can be fatal,” explained Dr. Bayu.

Dr. Bayu further elaborated that not fasting poses a risk: “There is a risk of stomach contents entering the lungs. This can cause severe lung inflammation, shortness of breath, respiratory failure, and even death due to airway obstruction.”

 

Fasting Guidelines Before Anesthesia Procedures

When a doctor states that fasting is necessary before an anesthesia procedure, it is crucial to pay attention to the duration of fasting and the types of food and drinks that are allowed.

Here are the fasting guidelines before anesthesia procedures and the types of food to be avoided, as recommended by the American Society of Anesthesiologists:

• 8 hours or more before the procedure: Patients should stop consuming meat, fried, and fatty foods.  
• 6 hours before the procedure: Patients may consume light meals, such as toast. For children, formula milk is still allowed. 
• 4 hours before the procedure: The cut-off time for children who are breastfeeding.  
• 2 hours before the procedure: The cut-off time for consuming clear fluids, such as water, pulp-free fruit juice, and tea without milk.

“To maintain stamina during fasting before the anesthesia procedure, prioritize easily digestible foods and calorie-rich drinks such as porridge, rice congee, sweet tea, and isotonic drinks containing electrolytes, as long as the liquids are clear,” advised Dr. Bayu.

If you are scheduled for an anesthesia procedure requiring fasting, always follow your doctor’s recommendations. Consult the best care for your health at Tzu Chi Hospital.

 

This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Bayu Hidaya Budiman, Sp.An-TI.