General Anesthesia

There are three types of anesthesia, local, regional and general. The first one is used to numb a small, specific area of a body. It is usually used for minor surgeries. Regional anesthesia is used when numbing a large area of the body is necessary. It is required in a surgery that involves the lower part of the body. When the patient is required to remain completely unconscious, surgeons use general anesthesia. The patient feels nothing from what goes on in the surgery and remains totally oblivious of the process.

The requirement for using this process may also occur if the medical procedure seems to take a long time, or if it affects the breathing (which is common in surgeries associated with the chest or abdomen). It is also required for certain procedures which may require the patient to be in an uncomfortable position. General anesthesia drugs mainly involve a combination of intravenous drugs and inhaled gases. An anesthesiologist is the person concerned for administering such drugs to the patient.

General Anesthesia Side Effects
Almost all kinds of medical procedures have their own share of risks of side effects or complications. The same is with general anesthesia. Generally, people who are otherwise healthy, are not prone to any kind of risks. But whatever occurs, is influenced by the particular procedure and the physical health of the patient. Some common risks include:

• Heart attack
• Lung infections
• Temporary state of confusion
• Stroke
• Death

What Can Increase the Risk of Side Effects?
There are certain conditions which might add to the risk of complication in patients. Common ones include:

• Disorders of the heart, kidneys and lungs
• Smoking
• Allergies to drugs or foods
• Overweight
• Sleep apnea
• Family history of reactions to anesthesia
• Alcohol abuse

Preparation Prior to the Process
Know from your doctor about the right time to stop eating and drinking before the surgery. Generally, most patients are recommended to abstain from taking anything about 6 hours before the procedure. Also, if you are on some blood thinners, you would be advised to stop the usage a week before. Certain drugs may be prescribed for you to take while you are fasting. It is extremely important to discuss your medical history with the doctor concerned. For instance, if you have diabetes, then this should be the first thing your doctor must know about you, before you are administered with general anesthesia. This is to make certain alternations in the medications which you take normally. Likewise, if you are suffering from any other kind of ailment, see to it that your doctor is aware of it.

Side Effects Post General Anesthesia
Side effects that may occur post the procedure include:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Sore throat
• Shaking chills
• Sleepiness (even if not tired)

So this was all about general anesthesia, the risks involved in it, the preparations which must be done prior to it, and the side effects which the patient may experience post the procedure.