Anesthesia is the delivery of medicine during surgery or other medical procedures so that an individual does not feel pain. According to MedlinePlus, there are three types of anesthesia. Local anesthesia numbs only the part of the body that is being worked on by the surgeon. Regional anesthesia numbs a larger area of the body; epidural and spinal anesthesia are two common types of this anesthesia. Epidural anesthesia is usually used during childbirth, whereas spinal anesthesia is administered directly into the spinal column. The third major type of anesthesia is the general anesthesia that puts an individual into deep sleep during the surgery. A patient given anesthesia can experience several side effects.
Allergic Reactions and Breathing Problems
According to MedlinePlus, there are certain side effects that are common to all the three types of anesthesia. An individual given local, regional or general anesthesia may experience an allergic reaction to the medicines used for sedation, MedlinePlus explains. An individual may also experience breathing problems while under sedation.
Bleeding, Infection and Nerve Damage
According to MedlinePlus, there are certain risks that are only associated with local and regional anesthesia. These include bleeding, infection and nerve damage. MedlinePlus notes that bleeding may occur from the area that has been administered the anesthesia. Infection is another side effect that an individual may experience. Long-term nerve damage in the area where the medication has been administered may also occur. However, MedlinePlus explains that this occurs in very rare cases. The individual may also experience weakness or loss of movement, or paralysis, in the part of the body receiving the anesthesia.
Irregular Heart Rate, Stroke and Mental Confusion
According to MedlinePlus, there are certain effects that are only common to general anesthesia. An individual's heartbeat may become irregular as a result of the whole-body sedation, states MedlinePlus. Although it is quite rare, an individual may also experience a heart attack. Another risk associated with this type of sedation is a stroke. However, MedlinePlus reports that a stroke occurs very rarely. The individual under general anesthesia may experience mental confusion or delirium after waking up. However, this is only a temporary side effect.
