Tag: Anesthesia side effects

Perioperative hypertension, or high blood pressure around the time of surgery, is a common occurrence, affecting up to 25% of hypertensive patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. So, is high blood pressure a side effect of anesthesia, or is the relationship more complex?

The incidence of itching (pruritus) after neuraxial (spinal or epidural) opioid administration can range from 30% to as high as 100% in certain patient populations [1.5.2, 1.3.7]. But does a nerve block cause itching? This side effect is a recognized possibility, often linked to specific medications used in the procedure.

According to the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation, nearly one-third of surgical patients experience episodes of low blood pressure, known as intraoperative hypotension, which is when your blood pressure drops during surgery. This common occurrence, however, is a serious medical event that requires prompt recognition and treatment by the anesthesia care team to ensure patient safety and prevent complications.

The incidence of hypotension after spinal anesthesia can be as high as 64% in certain patient populations, like those undergoing cesarean sections [1.8.1]. While effective for pain management, a key question remains for clinicians: **Can local anesthetics cause hypotension?** The answer is yes, through various mechanisms.

Over 60% of patients who undergo general anesthesia with intubation experience a postoperative sore throat [1.3.1]. If you're waking up from surgery with a scratchy throat, chills, or a cough, you may wonder: **Is it normal to have cold-like symptoms after anesthesia?**

According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, patients typically begin to wake up within minutes after general anesthesia is discontinued, with full recovery taking anywhere from minutes to several hours. Understanding the factors that influence this timeline, from drug types to individual health, is key to managing expectations for how long does it take to wake up from general anesthesia.

Postoperative urinary retention (POUR), the inability to urinate after surgery, is a common complication with a reported incidence ranging from 5% to 70% [1.4.1, 1.3.2]. A primary question for patients and clinicians is: **how does anesthesia affect urinary elimination?** Anesthetic agents directly interfere with the complex nerve signals controlling the bladder.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), a primary cause of stomach discomfort after surgery, occurs in approximately 30% of all patients and can affect up to 80% of high-risk individuals [1.5.2, 1.5.4]. So, is stomach pain a side effect of anesthesia? The answer is complex, involving the anesthetic drugs, the surgery itself, and postoperative medications.

In the U.S., an estimated 7.4 million upper endoscopies are performed each year [1.11.1]. If you're scheduled for one, you may wonder: **how long does anesthesia take to wear off after an endoscopy?** The answer depends on several factors, but most effects subside within 24 hours [1.2.1].

Post-operative diarrhea is a complication that can arise after surgery [1.2.6]. While many wonder, is diarrhea a side effect of anesthesia, the answer is complex. Anesthesia more commonly causes constipation, but other factors related to surgery are frequent culprits for diarrhea [1.2.2, 1.2.5].