Regular and irregular side effects of anesthesia

Louisiana patients trust their doctors and surgeons with their lives. Unfortunately, mistakes can still be made, and unforeseen circumstances can make a routine procedure quite dangerous to the patient. This is especially true when anesthesia is thrown into the mix.

Mayo Clinic lays out different types of rare side effects of anesthesia that do not occur often but are much more serious. This can include stroke, heart attack or failure, muscle damage, blood pressure increase or decreases, breathing disorders or pneumonia, allergic reactions, or a rapidly rising body temperature. In a worse case and most extreme scenario, it is even possible for a patient to die. Allergic reactions cannot always be predicted either, making them a dangerous concern.

WebMD lists out the more common effects of anesthesia. The most common side effect following procedures involving anesthesia include nausea and potentially vomiting, which is why it’s encouraged for patients not to eat up to 8 hours in advance of the administration. A person may also have a sore throat due to the insertion of a breathing tube, which can also potentially – but rarely – cause damage to the teeth or mouth. A person may also experience dry mouth, shivering, sleepiness, and confusion. Generally speaking, these side effects will wear off several hours after the procedure.

Anesthesia is a routine part of many different surgical procedures. In some, it may even be a necessity. Knowing the potential side-effects, both rare and regular, can help patients who are going under prepare themselves for any scenario that may be ahead of them.