General anesthesia is a necessary and effective way to eliminate pain felt during surgery. There are, however, common side effects, which include nausea and vomiting, sore throat, headache and shakiness. Other serious side effects are rare but can happen depending on the health status of the patient. The first 24 hours after general anesthesia should be a time of rest to allow the body a chance to adjust.
Natural Remedies
Constipation is one of the most common complaints of people who have undergone general anesthesia. Drink plenty of water to help with constipation. Check with your doctor to see if an enema can be used, if constipation is painful. Avoid meats, at least until you can move your bowels and eat fruits and vegetables instead.
Sore throat is another common side effect of anesthesia because of the tube that is passed through the throat during anesthesia. Take ice chips directly after surgery instead of water. If your throat is still tender 24 hours after anesthesia, try drinking tea made with honey, lemon and a cap full of apple cider vinegar to help soothe the throat.
Headache relief is best achieved by taking a nap instead of medication. It is common to feel tired or drowsy after anesthesia and taking a nap will help in both circumstances. If headache is severe and you have found no relief, seek medical attention as this could be one of the rare side effects of the anesthesia and should be monitored by your doctor.
Nausea can be felt after anesthesia as a result of the traces of medication still in the body. Ginger tea is a natural and effective way to reduce the feeling of nausea without adding harmful medications.
Considerations
It is vital that you disclose to your doctor any health conditions or medication that you are taking before going under anesthesia, to avoid any potentially dangerous reactions. This includes any herbal medicines that you may be taking as these can also cause problems with the type of anesthesia medicine given. Ginseng is known for many health benefits but can cause bleeding problems while under anesthesia.
Seek immediate medical attention if you notice bloody vomit, pains in your abdomen, back or legs and yellow skin or eyes after anesthesia.
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