Colonoscopy Anesthesia Side Effects
The type of anesthesia typically used during a colonoscopy is conscious sedation. Conscious sedation uses sedatives and pain relievers to reduce pain sensations and anxiety during medical procedures. Mild conscious sedation occurs through administration of either oral or intravenous medications.
The type of anesthesia typically used during a colonoscopy is conscious sedation. Conscious sedation uses sedatives and pain relievers to reduce pain sensations and anxiety during medical procedures. Mild conscious sedation occurs through administration of either oral or intravenous medications. Side effects usually prove mild; however, some are serious and require medical intervention. People who receive colonoscopy anesthesia should learn about side effects and sign an informed consent before receiving sedation.
Respiratory Depression
Kathleen Ouimet Perrin, PhD, author of "Understanding the Essentials of Critical Care Nursing", emphasizes the dangers of respiratory depression during anesthesia because many sedatives inhibit the function of brain neurotransmitters involved in breathing. The author defines respiratory depression as a respiratory rate less than 12 breaths per minute with shallow ineffective breaths. Although Scott and White Hospital reports that respiratory depression occurs rarely, even mild anesthesia, such as the type used during a colonoscopy, has the potential to suppress a person's respiratory drive.
Hypotension
Scott and White Hospital reports that anesthesia causes hypotension in many patients. Hypotension, low blood pressure, creates feelings of weakness, fatigue and dizziness. Before the procedure patients who take blood pressure medications should clarify with the doctor or anesthesiologist whether or not to hold the medication the morning of the procedure. Following the procedure patients should move around slowly to prevent and minimize low blood pressure effects.
Bradycardia
Accoring to Billie Ann Wilson, Ph.D., Margaret Shannon, PhD., and Kelly Shields, PharmD., authors of "Pearson Nurse's Drug Guide 2010", anesthesia suppresses the autonomic nervous system, ANS. The ANS controls involuntary body functions like heart rate. Suppressing the ANS causes a slow heart rate referred to as bradycardia. This adverse effect of colonoscopy anesthesia can be reversed through provision of supplemental oxygen by procedural staff.
Risk For Injury
The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists advises that people feel hung over following anesthesia. Impaired judgment and perception results. Scott and White Hospital instructs people who receive colonoscopy sedation not to drive or operate machinery for 24 hours following the procedure. Post-sedation patients require a caregiver for the day to decrease the risk of injury. Patients may experience dizziness and in-coordination; walking around objects or up and down stairs poses a hazard to patients.
Nausea and Vomiting
Sedatives and pain relievers frequently cause nausea and vomiting. Because of these side effects patients do not eat or drink after midnight on the night prior to a colonoscopy, says Scott and White Hospital. Following the procedure, patients should drink clear fluids for the first few hours after anesthesia to prevent nausea and vomiting.