Guide To Turmeric Side Effects, Precautions, And Interactions

Can Interfere With Surgery

Since turmeric reduces the blood's ability to clot, it can interfere with surgery. Patients who need to have dental surgery, a medical procedure, or any type of operation that involves cutting the skin should check with their doctor about when they need to stop taking turmeric supplements. Generally, most healthcare organizations recommend patients scheduled for surgery to discontinue turmeric supplementation at least two weeks before the operation. Patients should let their dentists, doctors, and other healthcare professionals know they are taking turmeric. If turmeric is not stopped before surgery, increased bleeding could occur during the operation, which might result in complications. Surgeons may need to take additional steps during the operation to control bleeding, and extra medication could be necessary. Patients who continue to use turmeric in the two weeks before their surgery could also experience more bleeding than normal after surgery, and this could result in a longer hospital stay and recovery time. After having an operation, the patient should ask their surgeon about when it is safe to start taking turmeric again. The doctor will monitor the patient's wound healing and bloodwork to make sure turmeric supplements will not be harmful to the patient's overall health.