Anesthetics are medications used in pain management, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health. Regional anesthetics affect whole sections of the body such as the extremities, or even the section below the waist. This form of anesthesia is usually administered via injection around a nerve cluster in order to be effective. There are two types of regional anesthesia: epidural and spinal anesthesia.
Damage to Nerves
Regional anesthesia may damage the nerves, according to MedlinePlus. Both epidural and spinal regional anesthetics are designed to help manage pain and make it more bearable instead of completely blocking pain, explains MayoClinic.com. Nerve damage may result if the anesthesia is not properly administered.
Decreased Blood Pressure
Epidural and spinal regional anesthesia both cause the blood pressure to decrease, notes MayoClinic.com. As such, blood pressure is constantly monitored throughout the medical procedure to ensure it does not fall below acceptable parameters, explains the American Pregnancy Association.
Difficulty Breathing
Regional anesthesia may impair breathing while being used, notes MayoClinic.com. This is because the anesthetic may affect the chest area. Nevertheless, the breathing difficulty is temporary. The effects generally fade after the regional anesthesia is no longer being administered.
Headache
Epidural and spinal regional anesthesia may cause headaches, notes MedlinePlus. Headaches can be severe and may be due to various reasons. However, this effect generally goes away when the regional anesthesia wears off, explains Drugs.com.
Impaired Ability to Urinate
Epidural and spinal regional anesthetics impair the ability to urinate, notes MayoClinic.com. The precise degree of impairment may vary. Nevertheless, using a catheter may be necessary while the anesthesia is affecting the body.
Impaired Cognitive Ability
Regional anesthesia may impair the ability to think clearly for nearly a day after use, notes Drugs.com. As such, making important decisions while under the lingering effects of the anesthetic is ill-advised.
Myocardial Infarction and Seizures
Epidural and spinal regional anesthetics are generally safe; however, myocardial infarction and seizures may result from regional anesthetic use, notes Drugs.com and MedlinePlus. Nevertheless, these effects are not very common.
Nausea
Regional anesthesia may trigger an allergic reaction or cause nausea, according to MedlinePlus. As such, verifying allergies prior to use is vital. Nausea may linger even after regional anesthesia is no longer being intravenously administered, explains Drugs.com.
Relief from Pain Without the Loss of Consciousness
Regional anesthesia is designed to manage pain without causing the loss of consciousness, notes the American Pregnancy Association. As such, patients receiving both epidural and spinal anesthesia maintain consciousness and some level of alertness, notes MayoClinic.com.
Tenderness
Both epidural and spinal regional anesthesia can cause tenderness in the area at the point of injection, notes MayoClinic.com.
