Anesthesia can make someone feel pretty…delirious, if you’ve ever seen someone having their wisdom teeth extracted. How long can these effects last?
It doesn’t matter if you have ever had anesthesia before or if this is your first. There are many questions and concerns about the effects of anesthesia, including how long it will last in your body, side effects, and other details.
Alopi Patel M.D., an interventional pain physician and board-certified anesthesiologist, was consulted by mbg to answer common questions. Here are her thoughts.
How Long Does it Take for Anesthetic to Wear Off
General anesthesia, also known as the type of anesthesia that you inhale, can take up to an hour for side effects to subside. The effects of intravenous anesthesia (IV) can take as long as an hour to subdue. However, it may take less depending on how much you are using.
Patel says that the grogginess will disappear within an hour. According to Patel, systemic anesthesia (the medicine that remains in your body) can last up to four hours or five hours.
Is there anything you can do to flush it from your system?
Drinking lots of water after the procedure is completed by a doctor or dentist will help to flush out the waste.
There is no evidence-based method to flush out anesthesia from your system. Patel states, “You must let your body do its job.”
Here are four things you should remember after anesthesia.
Patel reminds us that even after the discomfort wears off, it can still take several hours for the body’s medication to be metabolized. There are a few things you should remember after a procedure.
1. Do not exercise immediately.
Patel states that it is not recommended to exercise immediately after a general anesthesia has been administered. There are usually limitations to movement after surgery, aside from the possibility that anesthesia is still in your system.
Patel suggests that surgeons communicate any restrictions regarding lifting, and also a time frame for adding exercises back in, depending on the operation.
You might be able to do some intense exercises after receiving a local anesthetic. However, it is best to wait at least 24 hrs if you have had a minor procedure such as filling a hole or removing a mole.
2. Do not make major life decisions.
Patel recommends that you do not make any major life decisions in the first 24 hours after receiving anesthesia. Patel jokes that she doesn’t recommend getting married or divorcing or buying a car. “You may still be groggy.”
3. Post-procedure, the diet will change.
Depending on the type and extent of the surgery, some patients may be asked to wait several hours before eating or drinking to reduce nausea. Others will be given a liquid-only diet while others will be permitted to eat and drink frequently.
There is no recommended diet if patients can add food back in. It is important to find the right diet for you based on your genetics, dietary preferences or allergy needs.
4. Get plenty of water.
To reduce the chance of nausea, patients are advised to avoid eating for eight hours before surgery. Patel warns that this can lead to dehydration.
She explains that most people will need intravenous fluid within the first few hours of surgery. Sometimes, it may be longer. Two reasons why it is important to stay hydrated once they have been given permission by their doctor to take fluids by mouth are:
“One, to replenish the lost water from the surgery. She also says that she wants to assist your body in metabolizing medication.
What are the possible side effects of anesthesia
Anesthesia can cause grogginess, which is the most common side effect. You may also experience nausea or vomiting. Patel states that patients who are female have a higher chance than patients who have had motion sickness in the past.
According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), general anesthesia can also cause a sore throat or confusion, delirium, muscle pain, chills, shivering, and itching.
You should also be aware of other things before you undergo anesthesia.
What is the point of anesthesia?
Anesthesia is required for all procedures that are painful while the patient is awake, require a feeding tube or require the patient to remain still. The patient’s needs will also affect the amount of anesthesia required.
Patel explains that although most people can obtain IUDs without anesthesia (although some patients may have a lower tolerance to pain or require more medication), not everyone can. A majority of dental procedures can be performed with local anesthesia. However, if a patient has a fear or is unable to remain still, general anesthesia may be an option.
What should I expect when getting anesthesia?
Eight hours prior to the procedure, you should stop eating and stop drinking clear liquids like water, black coffee, juice without pulp, etc. You can wait up to 2 hours before eating. To ensure that you eat and drink according to your plan, consult your doctor.
To avoid dangerous interactions with medication, anesthesiologists may also ask you if you are taking any medications, use alcohol, smoke or if you have any allergies.
An anesthesiologist might also request a look at your mouth if the procedure involves a breathing tube. Patel and Meera Kirpekar (anesthesiologist), said that the purpose of an examination of your mouth was to determine how difficult or easy it might be to place a tube.
Bottom line
Side effects of anesthesia may vary for everyone. It generally takes around one hour for side effects to subside, although the actual medication can last longer. With permission from your doctor you can drink plenty of fluids to rehydrate and flush out any waste.
