How dangerous is general anesthesia for asthmatics?!
Question: How dangerous is general anesthesia for asthmatics.?
Answers:
The concern for general anesthesia in asthmatics is the risk of provoking an asthma attack during and after anesthesia. Not due to the anesthetic gases (those usually help relax the airways), but due to placing breathing tubes, etc. in the airway or due to the coughing that may occur after waking up (when the breathing tube comes out).
For an elective surgery, asthma should be well controlled: no wheezing, no recent increase in use of the patient's inhaler, no frequent use of a rescue inhaler. And the patient should not have a cold or sinus infection that may trigger an attack.
If the surgery is urgent/emergent and you have some wheezing or the surgery is related to something that makes your asthma worse (like ear tubes for a kid, or sinus surgery), then you may be given breathing treatments before undergoing the surgery. There are also some maneuvers/treatments/actions that the anesthesiologist can take during and after anesthesia to try to minimize the likelihood of an asthma attack.
Basically, asthma is a risk factor for general anesthesia. But except in cases of severe, uncontrolled asthma, it is usually not life-threatening. If your asthma is well-controlled, it should not be a problem. Just let the anesthesiologist know and bring all your inhalers with you and make sure you are feeling well on the day of the procedure.Health Question & Answer
For an elective surgery, asthma should be well controlled: no wheezing, no recent increase in use of the patient's inhaler, no frequent use of a rescue inhaler. And the patient should not have a cold or sinus infection that may trigger an attack.
If the surgery is urgent/emergent and you have some wheezing or the surgery is related to something that makes your asthma worse (like ear tubes for a kid, or sinus surgery), then you may be given breathing treatments before undergoing the surgery. There are also some maneuvers/treatments/actions that the anesthesiologist can take during and after anesthesia to try to minimize the likelihood of an asthma attack.
Basically, asthma is a risk factor for general anesthesia. But except in cases of severe, uncontrolled asthma, it is usually not life-threatening. If your asthma is well-controlled, it should not be a problem. Just let the anesthesiologist know and bring all your inhalers with you and make sure you are feeling well on the day of the procedure.Health Question & Answer
There are increased risks of bronchospasm with airway manipulation, but the gases that keep you asleep actually make asthma symptoms better.
We anesthetize asthmatics all the time, and rarely have problems.Health Question & Answer
We anesthetize asthmatics all the time, and rarely have problems.Health Question & Answer