Anesthesia Side Effects

Anesthesia is administered to patients to reduce their discomfort and pain during a surgery. Physicians use different types of anesthesia depending on the complications involved in the surgery. The three types of anesthesia that are used are ‘general anesthesia’, ‘local anesthesia’, and ‘regional anesthesia’. While a minor operation can be done under local or regional anesthesia, complicated surgery is usually done under general anesthesia. Apart from minimizing the pain, anesthesia also helps reduce the time of recovery. If you are going to have a surgery then you should be aware of the possible complications and side effects of anesthesia. Although anesthesia can be used safely, some patients might develop certain side effects after its administration. Remember to consult your physician about the probable risks and complications of anesthesia. Also, be sure to inform your physician if you are allergic to anesthesia. If you want to know what the most obvious side effects of anesthesia are, read through the next sections. 

Side Effects Of Anesthesia 

Sore Throat And Bruising

Sore throat is a common side effect of anesthesia. This happens when the doctor places a tube in you air passage to help you breath during the surgery. Nonetheless, sore throats are generally mild and last only for a couple of days. Throat lozenges are often helpful in soothing the soreness. 

Nausea

The most dreaded side effect of anesthesia is nausea and vomiting. Many people are prone to postoperative nausea. Doctors usually prescribe antiemetics to help patients stop vomiting.

Chills

Some people tend to have chills as a side effect of anesthesia. Chills and shivering may also occur from stress due the surgery. That is why patients are covered in warm blankets to keep them warmth and comfortable after a surgical procedure. 

Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure is also a common side effect of anesthesia administration. Many people complain of feeling dizzy when they sit up after waking up from anesthesia. This happens as their blood pressure gets reduced. Low blood pressure can also cause blurred vision. 

Drowsiness And Disorientation

The most common side effect of anesthesia is drowsiness. Almost all people feel sleepy and somewhat disoriented for the first 15 minutes after awakening from anesthesia. Some people may also have a temporary memory loss or become confused. These types of effects are specially noticed in elderly people. Although the effect is temporary, in certain cases it might last as long as a few days or weeks.

 Unusual Side Effects

Many people suffer from unusual anesthesia side effects or allergic reactions. If you are allergic to anesthesia, be sure to inform your physician about it before undergoing any surgery. 

General Anesthesia Side Effects

Since general anesthesia affects the whole body, it is more likely to cause side effects than local or regional anesthesia. However, serious side effects are uncommon in otherwise healthy people. General anesthesia suppresses normal throat reflexes thus making it difficult for the patient to swallow solid foods or liquids. 

Local Anesthesia Side Effects

Local anesthesia is actually safe when administered in right dosages. However, it can have toxic effects when it gets absorbed by the blood, especially if the dosage has been high. This may lead to complications affecting heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, etc. 

Regional Anesthesia Side Effects

Regional anesthesia is usually administered close to the spinal cord or near a bundle of nerves. Thus, although rare, wrong administration or overdose of anesthesia can cause permanent numbness or weakness of the limbs. Plus, it also has the risk of synthetic toxicity, especially when the anesthesia gets absorbed by the blood. In rare cases, complications of the heart or lungs may arise. 

If you are slated to undergo a surgery, be sure to discuss the possible complications and side effects of anesthesia with your physician.