Frag-Einen

Ask a doctor on the topic of Anesthesiology

How can postoperative nausea be prevented?

Dear Doctor,

My name is Anneliese Schwaru and I recently underwent a surgery under general anesthesia. Unfortunately, I experienced severe nausea and vomiting after the procedure, which significantly hindered my recovery. Therefore, I am reaching out to you with the question of how to prevent post-operative anesthesia nausea.

The surgery itself went well and I am grateful for the medical care I received. However, the time after the procedure was very challenging for me due to the nausea and vomiting. I had difficulty taking in enough fluids and recovering. Additionally, I felt weakened and depleted, which delayed my healing process.

As I plan to undergo another surgery in the future, I am now concerned that anesthesia nausea could occur again. Therefore, it would be very helpful for me to know possible solutions to avoid this unpleasant symptom. Are there specific medications or measures that can be taken preventatively against nausea after anesthesia? Are there possibly alternative anesthesia techniques that cause less nausea?

Thank you in advance for your support and I hope to receive helpful information to be able to undergo future surgeries without the burden of anesthesia nausea.

Sincerely,
Anneliese Schwaru

Felix Herrmann

Dear Mrs. Schwaru,

Thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise as an anesthesiologist. I am sorry to hear that you experienced nausea and vomiting after your surgery under general anesthesia. These unpleasant side effects can indeed affect the recovery after a surgical procedure, and I understand your concern regarding future operations.

Nausea and vomiting after anesthesia are not uncommon complications and can have various causes. One way to prevent or alleviate these symptoms is the use of antiemetic medications, which are medications that counteract nausea and vomiting. These medications can be administered before, during, or after the operation to reduce the risk of postoperative nausea.

Common antiemetic medications include Metoclopramide, Ondansetron, Dimenhydrinate, or Dexamethasone. Your anesthesiologist will decide which medication is best suited for you based on your individual risk profile and medical history. It may also be helpful to discuss your experiences with anesthesia-related nausea with your anesthesiologist to receive a tailored treatment.

In addition, non-pharmacological measures can also be taken to prevent anesthesia-related nausea. These include avoiding strong odors, adequate fluid intake before and after the operation, a gradual return to eating, sufficient movement after the operation, and avoiding heavy alcohol and nicotine consumption.

In some cases, the choice of anesthesia technique can also impact the occurrence of anesthesia-related nausea. Studies have shown that certain anesthesia techniques such as TIVA (Total Intravenous Anesthesia) may cause less nausea and vomiting compared to inhalation anesthesia. Therefore, it may be useful to discuss alternative anesthesia techniques with your anesthesiologist to reduce the risk of postoperative nausea.

In conclusion, individual care and advice from an experienced anesthesiologist are crucial to minimize the risk of anesthesia-related nausea. I recommend discussing your concerns and experiences with your anesthesiologist in detail before a planned operation to receive optimal treatment.

I hope this information helps you and wish you all the best for your future operations. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.

Best regards,
Felix Herrmann

fadeout
... Are you also interested in this question?
You can view the complete answer for only 7,50 EUR.

Experte für Anesthesiology

Felix Herrmann