What can I do to prevent nausea after anesthesia?
January 16, 2024 | 35,00 EUR | answered by Babette Köhler
Dear doctor, my name is Johann Hering and I have a question regarding anesthesia. In the past, I have often struggled with nausea after anesthesia. This affects both the phase immediately after waking up and in the hours that follow. The nausea is very distressing for me and significantly impairs my recovery after surgery. I am worried that this unpleasant side effect could occur again in future procedures.
I would like to know what measures I can take to avoid nausea after anesthesia. Are there specific medications that can be used preventively? Or are there certain behaviors I should follow to minimize the risk of nausea? I am willing to take all necessary steps to avoid this unpleasant symptom in the future.
I look forward to your expertise and hope that you can provide me with helpful tips on how to effectively combat nausea after anesthesia. Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Johann Hering
Dear Johann Hering,
Thank you for your question regarding nausea after anesthesia. It is understandable that this side effect is very distressing for you and affects your recovery after surgery. There are various measures that can be taken to minimize the risk of nausea after anesthesia.
First and foremost, it is important to know that the causes of postoperative nausea can be varied. The most common factors include the effects of the anesthetics used, the body's reaction to the anesthesia, and individual risk factors such as smoking, female gender, or a history of nausea after anesthesia.
To prevent nausea after anesthesia, the following measures can be taken:
1. Pharmacological prophylaxis: There are specific medications, called antiemetics, that can be used preventively against nausea. These medications are often administered during anesthesia and can significantly reduce the risk of postoperative nausea.
2. Regional anesthesia: For certain procedures, regional anesthesia, such as spinal or epidural anesthesia, can be performed instead of general anesthesia. This can reduce the risk of nausea after the operation.
3. Fluid intake: It is important to consume enough fluids before and after surgery to maintain fluid balance in the body and prevent nausea.
4. Movement: It may be helpful to slowly get up and move cautiously immediately after waking up from anesthesia to avoid nausea.
5. Breathing exercises: Deep and conscious breathing can also help reduce nausea after anesthesia.
It is important that you talk to your anesthesiologist about your experiences with nausea after anesthesia so that targeted measures can be taken to avoid this symptom in the future. Your anesthesiologist can consider your individual risk factors and take appropriate precautions.
I hope these tips help you effectively combat nausea after anesthesia. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Babette Köhler
