These side effects vary widely from person to person.
General anesthesia also poses a risk of life-threatening issues such as a condition that can lead to organ failure.
General anesthesia uses a combination of medications that render you immobile and unconscious for a medical procedure.
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Its administered by a specialist called an anesthesiologist.
Most people have no issues or only minor ones in the hours and days following their surgery.
While severe reactions are rare, they do occur.
Some people are at greater risk for side effects of general anesthesia than others.
It also explains how side effects and complications are managed or treated.
How Anesthesia Affects Your Body
General anesthesiais used during surgeries in a hospital or surgical center setting.
You become completely unaware of your surroundings and don’t feel pain.
When side effects do occur, they usually go away in a few hours.
Anti-nausea medication can usually be given before surgery toprevent PONV.
Medications can also be used to treat nausea when it does happen.
The longer the surgery, the more likely this is to occur.
Hoarseness that isnt improving more than five to seven days after surgery should be addressed with a healthcare provider.
It may also be due to the drying effect of anesthesia medications.
Dry mouth usually goes away within 24 hours after surgery.
Meanwhile, you’ve got the option to use water or ice to relieve the discomfort.
Shivering or Chills
Certain medications that are given during surgery can cause shivering or chills.
These symptoms typically resolve once the medication wears off.
Chills can also be the result of a small drop in body temperature during surgery.
Covering up with extra blankets should help you get comfortable until the chills pass.
Afevercan also cause chills and shivering.
A fever immediately after surgery is more likely if you had an infection before the procedure.
Sleepiness
The medication used for general anesthesia can cause drowsiness.
In fact, you may doze on and off in the hours following surgery.
After a good night of sleep, you should feel more like yourself.
Muscle Aches
Paralytic medicationspowerful muscle relaxantsused with general anesthesia are known to cause muscle aches.
Lying completely still in one position during surgery can also cause soreness.
Serious Anesthesia Side Effects
You’ll have frequent postoperative checks in the first few hours after surgery.
If you’re showing signs of a serious complication during your recovery, you may need immediate treatment.
Waking up in an unfamiliar setting like the hospital can contribute to confusion or agitation.
The cognitive issues usually last until the anesthesia completely clears the body.
Urination Problems
General anesthesia paralyzes the bladder muscles.
Both trouble urinating and urine leakage may occur in the days following its removal.
It’s also common to feel irritation and a burning sensation when you pee after having a catheter.
This is sometimes mistaken for aurinary tract infection (UTI).
While you are at risk for a UTI after having a Foley, most patients don’t get one.
In rare cases, a patient cannot urinate after surgery at all.
This is called anileus.
Usually, this problem resolves within five days of surgery.
When this happens in everyday life, you may call it “something going down the wrong pipe.”
Thelungs are cleared after you coughthe food or liquid back up.
This is a potentially serious problem.
If undigested material goes into the lungs, it can lead to pneumonia.
If your stomach is empty, there’s less chance of aspiration.
These clots most often happen in the legs.
The last thing you may feel like doing soon after surgery is getting up and walking around.
However, your medical team will encourage it to prevent blood clots from forming.
Malignant Hyperthermia
This extremely serious condition causes a high fever and muscle contractions.
It can lead to organ failure if not diagnosed and treated quickly.
Malignant hyperthermia is triggered by an inherited tendency to react to certain anesthesia medications.
It can be life-threatening.
Anesthesia awareness is not common when appropriate anesthesia is given during the procedure.
Death
Death during general anesthesia is rare.
People who are undergoing surgery for a serious medical problem also have an increased risk of death.
What Increases Your Risk for Side Effects and Complications?
Side effects related to general anesthesia affect different people for different reasons.
There are alsorisks of the surgeryitself.
With every procedure, there are possible problems that can occur that are unrelated to the anesthesia.
There’s also the risk of developing an infection at the incision.
This is typically at least six hours, but confirm to discuss this with your healthcare provider.
During anesthesia, you will need to have a breathing tube fitted into your windpipe to help you breathe.
They may make adjustments to your medication as needed.
After Anesthesia
Your breathing tube will be removed at the end of the procedure.
You will wake up as the anesthetic medications are stopped.
You may wake in the operating room or in a separate recovery room.
You should expect to feel groggy and/or confused.
You may also feel nauseous.
Summary
Serious complications related to anesthesia are rare.
Minor side effects usually resolve quickly and do not warrant a middle-of-the-night trip to the ER.
The most common problem, nausea, can often be prevented altogether with medication.
Call for professional advice orgo to the emergency roomwithout delay.
Some people are more at risk for complications than others, including older adults and people with pre-existing conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Around 24 hours.
Grogginess may also be due to post-operative painmedicationsor jumping back into your regular activities too soon.
There’s some evidencecaffeinemight do the job.
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