Tag: General anesthesia

While IV sedation is often preferred for its lower risk profile in minor procedures, determining **is general anesthesia or IV sedation safer?** depends on various factors, including the procedure's complexity and the patient's unique health profile. Both are extremely safe when administered by qualified professionals, but the potential risks and side effects differ significantly.

According to research published in the *Journal of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine*, intraoperative hypotension during general anesthesia is a common event linked to complications such as organ injury. Understanding how **does general anesthesia affect BP** is critical, as anesthesiologists meticulously manage these changes throughout any procedure.

According to the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation, intraoperative hypotension—a significant drop in blood pressure during surgery—is a common phenomenon that is directly influenced by the use of general anesthesia. This effect is not a random occurrence but a predictable pharmacological response to the medications used, prompting anesthesiologists to meticulously manage blood pressure to ensure patient safety.

While the clinical effects of most general anesthetics and sedatives fade within hours, trace amounts of the drugs can linger in your body for up to a week. The precise amount of time it takes for anesthesia to leave your body is highly individual and depends on several key factors.

Although rare, severe complications from dental anesthesia are nearly unheard of, occurring in only about 3 out of every million cases. Modern dental anesthesia is exceptionally safe when administered by a trained professional, with safety measures customized for each patient's medical history and the procedure being performed.

According to a 2017 review, hypertension can increase cardiovascular complications during surgery by 35% [1.2.1]. This raises a critical question for patients and doctors: **what blood pressure is too high for general anesthesia**, and when should a procedure be postponed for safety?

According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, it is very common to experience mild side effects after receiving anesthesia. Knowing **what are common side effects of anesthesia** is key to preparing for recovery, as reactions can vary significantly depending on the type of anesthesia used for a procedure.

Over 70% of patients undergoing orthopedic upper limb surgery report moderate to high postoperative pain, a challenge that different anesthesia methods address in unique ways [1.2.5]. Fundamentally, **is a nerve block considered general anesthesia?** No, they are distinct forms of anesthesia [1.2.1].

Each year, millions of people in the United States undergo noncardiac surgery, with about one-third having existing cardiac disease or major risk factors [1.6.5]. A common fear is, **does your heart stop beating under general anesthesia?** The answer is no, your heart continues to beat throughout the procedure [1.2.3].

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?**