Author's note: This column is intended for educational purposes only. It aims to highlight gaps in health knowledge, provide support and empower organizations to guide their members in creating effective health and wellness programs.

Minor surgeries and procedures, which are commonplace, are often accompanied by mild discomfort, such as mild to moderate pain, swelling and redness at the incision site. In addition, mild after-effects of anesthesia, pain medication and antibiotics given during and after surgery can cause nausea and vomiting, restlessness, sleepiness or insomnia, thirst, constipation or diarrhea, mild postoperative fever, shivering and hypothermia.

A sore throat can be caused by the endotracheal tube placed in the windpipe for breathing during surgery. Additional soreness, pain and swelling at IV sites are also a possibility.

The first 24 to 72 hours of recovery require careful monitoring for elevated signs and symptoms needing reported to your provider. Every surgical procedure is accompanied by discharge instructions. You or your point of contact should adhere to these instructions and ask questions to clarify anything you do not understand.

INFORMATION YOUR PROVIDER NEEDS TO KNOW

Be prepared to provide all essential information, such as your full name and date of birth, the date of your surgery, where it was performed and by whom.

Know what antibiotic and pain medication you were prescribed.

Be able to describe specific symptoms that concern you. What is worse, specifically? Describe the appearance of the incision site, IV site and any other residual symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, or confusion).

WHEN TO SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL HELP

• Persistent fever or chills (temperature exceeding 100.4 F (38 Celsius).
• Shortness of breath or chest pain.
• Severe or worsening pain that is not relieved by prescribed medication.
• Inability to eat, drink or hold down fluids.
• Red, hot or excessively swollen incision or IV site, or dehiscence of wound (incision that opens).

SURGICAL POST-OP COMPLICATIONS VS. MILD SYMPTOMS

Infection can delay healing, spread to nearby organs or tissue and travel through the bloodstream, causing sepsis. Look for redness, swelling, discharge and fever.

Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs or pulmonary embolism (PE) in the lungs. Symptoms include sudden chest pain, shortness of breath or painful, swollen calves.

Shock is a severe drop in blood pressure that deprives organs of oxygen. It is a life-threatening emergency and is accompanied by a rapid, weak pulse, rapid shallow breathing, pale clammy skin, blue-gray lips and fingernails, extreme weakness, confusion, severe dizziness, agitation or loss of consciousness.

Delirium and cognitive changes are common in the elderly or those undergoing long, complex procedures.

Urinary retention is the inability to empty your bladder. May be caused by the anesthesia or certain surgeries.

Postoperative Pulmonary Complications (PPCs) is an umbrella term for adverse effects on the respiratory system following anesthesia and surgery. Specific types of PPCs include: atelectasis (partial or total collapse of the lung), pneumonia (lung infection), pulmonary embolism (blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow), respiratory failure (a severe condition where the lungs cannot adequately supply oxygen to the bloodstream or remove carbon dioxide), pleural effusion (buildup of excess fluid between the lung and chest wall) and bronchospasm (tightening of the airways that causes wheezing and difficultly breathing).

Allergic reactions to anesthesia happen when an immune system response that can range from mild rashes to severe, life-threatening anaphylaxis. It can range from mild to severe and is treated accordingly, beginning with the immediate discontinuation of the offending medication. Life-saving treatment is epinephrine. Call 911 and state you are experiencing an "anaphylactic reaction." Lie flat and elevate the legs to maintain blood pressure and support circulation.

EFFECTIVE SELF-CARE FOLLOWING A SURGICAL PROCEDURE

Primarily, follow your surgeon's specific discharge instructions to prevent complications.

Incision care – keep the incision clean and dry. Follow the surgeon's incision care instructions.

Pain medication management – take pain medicine as prescribed on schedule to avoid allowing pain to become severe.

Nutrition and hydration – eat a balanced diet rich in protein to repair tissues; add fiber to prevent constipation from pain medications. Hydration enhances cellular repair and wound healing (via nutrient transport, tissue suppleness and immune support), medication and toxin clearance by flushing them from the body and the management of side effects. Minimizes swelling through lymphatic drainage and helps prevent common complications such as constipation, blood clots and urinary tract infections. Aim for eight glasses of fluids daily to stay hydrated.

Balancing rest and activity (especially walking) is critical for post-surgical recovery, as it allows your body to direct energy toward tissue repair, reduce inflammation, avoid muscle stiffness and improve circulation, which helps prevent blood clots and pneumonia.

It is important to remember that individuals heal differently and at different rates. Signs and symptoms may be experienced differently as well.

Dr. Cheryl Christy is a Baldwin County resident and registered nurse with nearly 30 years of experience. She holds master's degrees in nursing education and nursing practice and a doctorate in nursing practice. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Phi Pi Chapter, a certified lay counselor and the author of "Voices for Healthcare," a health care blog.

Read her previous column titled "Healthy aging matters" on www.GulfCoastMedia.com. Her blog can be found at https://substack.com/@dnprn.