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Okay, so you’re prepping for anesthesia and, yeah, it’s kinda normal to wonder what it’ll do to your body, right? We’ve all been there. We’re gonna unpack what happens to you under anesthesia, what to expect, and um, hopefully ease some of those pre-op jitters.
- What Happens to Your Body Under Anesthesia?
- Prone to Minor Illnesses
- Difficulties with Swallowing
- Nausea & Vomiting
- Low Body Temperature
- Memory Loss
- Sore Throat
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Muscle Aches
- Hallucinations
The use of anesthesia is widespread in modern medicine enabling doctors to alleviate the pain a patient feels during surgeries or dental treatments. Anesthesiologists often use general anesthesia during surgical procedures so the patient doesn’t feel any pain.
But what actually *happens* to your body because of the anesthesia? Good question. It’s understandable, and most people think about it, so let’s find out.
What Happens to Your Body Under Anesthesia?
Typical anesthesia results in changes in your body, some of which are significant, and others disappear relatively quickly after a short period.
Here are 9 answers to “what happens to your body because of anesthesia?”:
1. Prone to Minor Illnesses
If you’re suffering from obesity or respiratory issues, you should inform your doctor after you’ve been anesthetized, because the anesthetics in the hospital might cause you to have a stroke or a heart attack.
Also, the impact on a patient who has obesity, increases the need for the doctor to be careful about the patient’s airways or give them oxygen, which is not healthy.
2. Difficulties with Swallowing
This is another common side effect of general anesthesia. It’s because the throat which might not appear during surgery may swell as a result of the breathing tubes.
This is especially noticeable in small children who have had general anesthesia, especially if they had a minor surgery in the mouth or throat, and is more common in the tonsils because of the breathing tubes that are used to anesthetize the patient.
3. Nausea & Vomiting
Your body may be exposed to anesthesia, and you might feel nauseous and in pain for a short period of time after the body’s organs have been affected, so when you get up, you might feel pain, in addition to feeling nauseous and other similar issues.
This is especially common with women who give birth through cesarean sections.
4. Nausea & Vomiting
One of the most common answers to “what happens to your body because of anesthesia?” is feeling nauseous, vomiting, and headaches if the vomiting starts 24 hours after the surgery, it might continue for a couple of days.
Keep in mind that obese and chronically ill individuals are more prone to nausea and vomiting following anesthesia.
5. Low Body Temperature
Feeling cold is one of the common side effects associated with anesthesia. After you wake up, this happens because your body can’t regulate its temperature as well, so you don’t feel warm.
It’s worth noting that a slight drop in body temperature is common after anesthesia and surgery and shouldn’t be alarming. Shivering increases heat production, and its frequency depends more on consciousness than pain.
6. Memory Loss
Memory loss and dry mouth are possible side effects of anesthesia after surgery.
The drugs that are given into the mouth to help you breathe during the operation might affect your ability to focus after removing them, which might happen to about 50% of people who have general anesthesia.
7. Difficulty Concentrating
When a patient starts to recover from general anesthesia, they may experience some disorientation or difficulty thinking clearly. This is a pretty normal thing, and it might take a couple of days, even though it usually doesn’t last long.
Keep in mind that some cognitive deficits in concentration following surgery can last for a short time, increasing to around 10% for patients over 60 years of age.
8. Muscle Aches
Muscle aches is another answer to the question “what happens to your body as a result of anesthesia?”
The anesthetics can cause muscle contractions for a short period, which can cause you to feel aches and pains in your muscles, neck, shoulders and back after you recover from surgery.
Usually, the pain appears in the first days after surgery and may last for two or three days then disappear without treatment.
9. Hallucinations
Anesthesia can cause hallucinations in your behavior after surgery, because your muscles are relaxed, and you aren’t in control of your actions.
However, don’t worry, anesthesia won’t change your behavior, but sometimes you might hallucinate about some funny things that you didn’t do before.
Now, what if you’re having surgery and you have a chronic condition that wasn’t in the original article? It’s crucial to communicate everything to your doctor beforehand, including pre-existing conditions like diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or any medications you’re taking. These factors can influence the type and dosage of anesthesia used, as well as the potential for complications.
Tips to Avoid Some of the Effects of Anesthesia
The answer to the question what happens to your body because of anesthesia? is in your hands, and now your turn came to alleviate some of these effects, and this can be by following these tips:
- Ask the doctor to give a small amount of anesthetics.
- Don’t ignore vomiting and nausea if it lasts for more than 24 hours, because that might lead to other conditions, such as loss of fluids or anemia.
- Try to avoid using medicine before the surgery that requires general anesthesia, that will keep you away from the risks of anesthesia and other conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure.
- See the doctor if you feel pain while urinating and have urinary issues, and don’t hesitate to see a nephrologist or a urologist urgently.
Key takeaways
- Anesthesia affects everyone differently, but knowing common side effects helps manage expectations.
- Communicate openly with your healthcare team about your medical history to minimize risks.
- Follow post-operative care instructions to promote recovery and address any lingering effects.
FAQ, Myth & Facts
Will I wake up during the surgery?
While it’s incredibly rare with modern anesthesia, there’s a very slight chance of “anesthesia awareness.” Your anesthesiologist monitors your vitals closely to prevent this.
Does anesthesia cause long-term brain damage?
For most people, no. Studies are ongoing, but significant long-term cognitive issues are uncommon, particularly after single, shorter procedures.
Is it safe to drive myself home after anesthesia?
Definitely not. You’ll be impaired, and it’s dangerous. You’ll need someone to drive you, and it’s best to have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours.
I was super worried about feeling sick after my operation. The nurses were amazing. They gave me something for the nausea right away, and I felt so much better quickly.
Honestly, I was a bit out of it for a day or two, and I had a hard time focusing after my surgery. My family were super helpful, and I didn’t feel alone.
My biggest fear was waking up during the surgery. My anesthesiologist was amazing and explained everything, and reassured me it wouldn’t happen.
So, yeah, navigating anesthesia can feel a bit daunting, but understanding what to expect can seriously ease your mind. We’ve gone over a lot, and hopefully, you’re feeling more prepped and less stressed. And remember what they say, knowledge is power!
