In India, patients are finding their non-emergency surgical appointments canceled as the hospitals prepare for coronavirus cases. Surgeries for piles, anal fissure,hernia, kidney stones, gallstones, anal fistula, joint replacements, epilepsy, cataracts and many more are being postponed, in order to keep hospital beds free, ration much-needed personal protective equipment, and to shield others from Coronavirus. Canceling or postponing elective surgeries will also limit the number of people in the hospitals, which is a measure to arrest the rate of spread.

Life-threatening and emergency surgeries will still be performed as needed. However, it is suggested to wait for an elective surgery if the patient can bear the symptoms or if it’s not a life-threatening condition.

An elective surgery is not “optional” or non-serious surgery. It is a non-urgent surgery, and what is “actually non-urgent” is not always obvious. Depending upon the condition of the patients, they can be under different levels of stress while waiting for their surgeries. Many, in absence of correct information about the severity of their disease and the type of treatment, may be left wondering if they have a ticking time bomb inside them. However, it is important to be careful and make plans to deal with the situation and prevent one’s condition from getting worse till they can get treated.

Here are some tips that can help keep a patient’s condition stable and also ease discomforts.

Anorectal Problems like Piles, Fissure or Fistula:

Patients waiting for their piles, fissure or fistula surgery are suggested to maintain a fiber-rich, nutritious and healthy diet to prevent hard stool, which can increase the discomforts. Make sure to drink ample amounts of water each day and avoid eating oily, spicy and junk food. The patients can also consult their doctor if they wish to take a laxative. However, any severe bleeding or other unbearable symptoms should not be ignored and must be informed to a specialist.

Problems of Hernia, Gallstone or Appendicitis:

To prevent any discomfort, patients with hernia are suggested to avoid lifting heavy weight or objects to prevent pressure on the abdomen area. Take pain-killer medicine if needed. Also, it is suggested to maintain a fiber-rich, well-balanced diet to prevent constipation as constipation can exert pressure on the abdomen area, increasing discomforts and pain.

Patients suffering from gallstones must inform their doctor about any sudden increase in pain. Patients with appendicitis need to be very careful with their symptoms as it can turn into an emergency case often. They are advised to constantly be in touch with their doctors and make necessary arrangements in advance for any unforeseen situation.

Problem of Kidney Stones-

To prevent kidney stones from getting severely painful, patients must drink plenty of fluids, particularly water. Daily water consumption must be monitored to ensure it is adequate. Patients should also limit their salt consumption. Eating patterns should ideally include small but frequent meals, preferably at regular intervals. Patients should also adhere to eating a low-fat diet with plenty of lean proteins.

Problem of Varicose Veins or Spider Veins-

Patients with varicose veins should take strict precautions to prevent their condition from getting worse till they can schedule a date for their surgery. In their daily routine, they should avoid standing or sitting in the same positions for prolonged hours. Patients can also consult their doctors and request them to prescribe effective essential oils which can ease uncomfortable symptoms of itchy, painful varicose veins.

Overview

All over the world, doctors, health experts and nurses are being more cautious and pushing towards a judicious use of healthcare infrastructure - conserving protective equipment used in the operating room, providing hospital rooms first to patients who need them the most, etc.

Currently, there is no clarity about when the waiting patients will get their turn to get an elective surgery done. Meanwhile, it is important to understand that such a measure was taken in order to prepare the country to fight against novel coronavirus and flatten the exponential growth curve of its spread that has been witnessed in other countries. Our government is taking measures to stay prepared to treat the patients of Coronavirus and prevent chaos and panic among the citizens in the most trying times.