3 Types of Anesthesia and Their Side Effects

During surgery, patients will be given anesthesia. This is a drug to eliminate pain and feelings during surgery. Anesthesia temporarily blocks sensory signals from nerves at the site of the procedure to centers in the brain. 

Some anesthetics numb certain parts of the body. And different types of anesthetics work in different ways.

Local and regional anesthesia numbs certain areas of your body. General anesthesia makes you temporarily unconscious (asleep) so that you can undergo more invasive surgery.  Anesthesia itself can be given through injections, ointments, sprays, or gas. Generally, there are 3 types of anesthesia that doctors use, each with a different way of working and side effects. Here’s the explanation!

Regional anesthesia

Regional anesthesia is used to numb the part of the body that will be operated on. Regional anesthesia itself has several types, namely epidural, spinal, and peripheral nerve block.

When performing regional anesthesia, citing Johns Hopkins Medicine, the doctor will administer the anesthetic by injecting it near the spinal cord area or around the nerves.

The patient will remain awake during the medical procedure, only feeling numb or losing sensation in the area of ​​the body that received the anesthesia. For example, the legs, arms, stomach, and hips. 

Generally, doctors will use spinal and epidural anesthesia during labor process. Possible side effects after the patient receives regional anesthesia namely:

• – Back pain
• – Headache
• – Having difficulty urinating
• – Damage to nerves
• – Bleeding in the area under the skin after receiving an injection or hematoma.

Local Anesthesia

This anesthesia works by blocking pain in the part of the body that is about to undergo surgery or medical treatment. Local anesthesia also does not affect consciousness. So, the patient will remain awake during the procedure. 

According to Halodoc, this anesthesia is usually given for minor surgical procedures. For example, eye surgery, biopsies, wisdom teeth treatment, or mole removal procedures on certain parts of the body. 

This anesthetic can also be given by spraying, rubbing, or injecting the body part that is going to receive medical treatment. This anesthetic also has side effects that may occur, such as: 

• – Bruising, pain, even light bleeding at the injection site
• – Dizziness and fatigue
• – Feel numbness or tingling in the area that received the injection
• – Muscle tissue experiences twitching
• – Blurred vision

General anesthesia

Also called general anesthesia, general anesthesia is a procedure that makes the patient unconscious during a major surgical procedure. For example, brain surgery, open heart surgery, or organ transplant procedures. 

This anesthesia has two methods: inhaling gas or inhalation and intravenous into the blood vessels. This method of anesthesia is considered quite safe for most patients. Although for some people, such as children, people with sleep apnea, and the elderly, it must be given with extra care. 

Because giving it carelessly can increase the risk of many complications, such as heart and memory problems. Generally, the side effects of giving this one anesthesia will be seen after the surgical procedure and do not last long, such as: 

• – Nausea and vomiting
• – Mouth feels dry and sore throat 
• – Voice becomes hoarse
• – Body shivering and sleepy
• – Pain and bruising in the area where the anesthesia was administered
• – Difficulty urinating
• – Feeling confused
• – Risk of damage to the mouth and teeth

If you have certain conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, heart problems, or arthritis, your anesthesiologist will usually be notified. They will be ready to treat these conditions during and after surgery as needed. 

Anesthesiologists are not only trained to treat medical problems related to surgery. They also treat chronic conditions that may need attention during surgery. Anesthesia and surgery affect every system in the body.