When people undergo significant medical procedures, they often take comfort in the fact that anesthesia is available. With the right anesthesia, people can have even the most complex of surgical procedures without feeling any pain. At least that is how it is supposed to work. In many cases, doctors can commit anesthesia malpractice, where mistakes are made. These mistakes can range from minor to deadly and can accompany a variety of serious risks.
Pennsylvania residents who may undergo anesthesia need to understand the risks of the procedure. While anesthesia can provide significant pain relief, it can also create problems. According to medical professionals, there are some more common risks to anesthesia use. These include the risk of lung infections, mental confusion, heart attack and stroke. In some cases, people can die from complications created by anesthesia.
In some cases, people are also aware during anesthesia. These people may be conscious but feel no pain. Or, they may feel pain but be unable to move. In either case, psychological problems can be created by these experiences.
These risk factors are usually minimal. However, there are certain factors that increase the riskiness of using anesthesia. These include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and obesity. Sleep apnea, certain medications and heavy alcohol use can also increase the risks of anesthesia. If a person is allergic to certain medication or suffers from medical conditions involving the kidneys, heart or lungs the person is also at a higher risk of complications.
When a negligent medical professional or facility is responsible for an anesthesia error or complication, people need to understand their legal rights. An attorney, and not this blog post, can give people specific legal advice in these situations.