General anesthesia - Mayo Clinic
COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options
Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version.This content does not have an Arabic version. Search Request an Appointment Find a Doctor Find a Job Give Now Log in to Patient Account English Español العربية 简体中文 Twitter Facebook Pinterest YouTube Menu Patient Care & Health Information Tests & Procedures General anesthesia
Print Overview
General anesthesia is a combination of medications that put you in a sleep-like state before a surgery or other medical procedure. Under general anesthesia, you don't feel pain because you're completely unconscious. General anesthesia usually uses a combination of intravenous drugs and inhaled gasses (anesthetics). General anesthesia is more than just being asleep, though it will likely feel that way to you. But the anesthetized brain doesn't respond to pain signals or reflexes. An anesthesiologist is a specially trained doctor who specializes in anesthesia. While you're under anesthesia, the anesthesiologist monitors your body's vital functions and manages your breathing. In many hospitals, an anesthesiologist and a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) work together during your procedure. Products & Services
Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th EditionNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter - Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic Why it s done
Your anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, along with your doctor, will recommend the best anesthesia option for you based on the type of surgery you are having, your overall health and your individual preferences. For certain procedures, your team may recommend general anesthesia. These include procedures that may: Take a long time Result in significant blood loss Expose you to a cold environment Affect your breathing (particularly chest or upper abdominal surgery) Other forms of anesthesia, such as light sedation combined with local anesthesia (for a small area) or regional anesthesia (for a larger part of your body), may not be appropriate for more involved procedures. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing
You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription
Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Risks
General anesthesia is overall very safe; most people, even those with significant health conditions, are able to undergo general anesthesia itself without serious problems. In fact, your risk of complications is more closely related to the type of procedure you're undergoing and your general physical health, rather than to the type of anesthesia. Older adults, or those with serious medical problems, particularly those undergoing more extensive procedures, may be at increased risk of postoperative confusion, pneumonia, or even stroke and heart attack. Specific conditions that can increase your risk of complications during surgery include: Smoking Seizures Obstructive sleep apnea Obesity High blood pressure Diabetes Stroke Other medical conditions involving your heart, lungs or kidneys Medications, such as aspirin, that can increase bleeding History of heavy alcohol use Drug allergies History of adverse reactions to anesthesia These risks are more generally related to the surgery itself rather than the anesthesia. Anesthesia awareness
Estimates vary, but about 1 or 2 people in every 1,000 may be partially awake during general anesthesia and experience what is called unintended intraoperative awareness. It is even rarer to experience pain, but this can occur as well. Because of the muscle relaxants given before surgery, people are unable to move or speak to let doctors know that they are awake or experiencing pain. For some patients, this may cause long-term psychological problems, similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. This phenomenon is so rare that it's difficult to make clear connections. Some factors that may be involved include: Emergency surgery Cesarean delivery Depression Use of certain medications Heart or lung problems Daily alcohol use Lower anesthesia doses than are necessary used during procedure Errors by the anesthesiologist, such as not monitoring the patient or not measuring the amount of anesthesia in the patient's system throughout the procedure How you prepare
General anesthesia relaxes the muscles in your digestive tract and airway that keep food and acid from passing from your stomach into your lungs. Always follow your doctor's instructions about avoiding food and drink before surgery. Fasting is usually necessary starting about six hours before your surgery. You may be able to drink clear fluids until a few hours prior. Your doctor may tell you to take some of your regular medications with a small sip of water during your fasting time. Discuss your medications with your doctor. You may need to avoid some medications, such as aspirin and some other over-the-counter blood thinners, for at least a week before your procedure. These medications may cause complications during surgery. Some vitamins and herbal remedies, such as ginseng, garlic, Ginkgo biloba, St. John's wort, kava and others, may cause complications during surgery. Discuss the types of dietary supplements you take with your doctor before your surgery. If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor about any changes to your medications during the fasting period. Usually you won't take oral diabetes medication the morning of your surgery. If you take insulin, your doctor may recommend a reduced dose. If you have sleep apnea, discuss your condition with your doctor. The anesthesiologist or anesthetist will need to carefully monitor your breathing during and after your surgery. What you can expect
Before the procedure
Before you undergo general anesthesia, your anesthesiologist will talk with you and may ask questions about: Your health history Your prescription medications, over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements Allergies Your past experiences with anesthesia This will help your anesthesiologist choose the medications that will be the safest for you. During the procedure
Your anesthesiologist usually delivers the anesthesia medications through an intravenous line in your arm. Sometimes you may be given a gas that you breathe from a mask. Children may prefer to go to sleep with a mask. Once you're asleep, the anesthesiologist may insert a tube into your mouth and down your windpipe. The tube ensures that you get enough oxygen and protects your lungs from blood or other fluids, such as stomach fluids. You'll be given muscle relaxants before doctors insert the tube to relax the muscles in your windpipe. Your doctor may use other options, such as a laryngeal airway mask, to help manage your breathing during surgery. Someone from the anesthesia care team monitors you continuously while you sleep. He or she will adjust your medications, breathing, temperature, fluids and blood pressure as needed. Any issues that occur during the surgery are corrected with additional medications, fluids and, sometimes, blood transfusions. After the procedure
When the surgery is complete, the anesthesiologist reverses the medications to wake you up. You'll slowly wake either in the operating room or the recovery room. You'll probably feel groggy and a little confused when you first wake. You may experience common side effects such as: Nausea Vomiting Dry mouth Sore throat Muscle aches Itching Shivering Sleepiness Mild hoarseness You may also experience other side effects after you awaken from anesthesia, such as pain. Your anesthesia care team will ask you about your pain and other side effects. Side effects depend on your individual condition and the type of surgery. Your doctor may give you medications after your procedure to reduce pain and nausea. Clinical trials
Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. By Mayo Clinic Staff Doctors & Departments Dec. 18, 2020 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references Falk SA, et al. Overview of anesthesia. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 7, 2018. Brunton LL, et al., eds. General anesthetics and therapeutic gases. In: Goodman & Gilman's: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 13th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Education; 2018. http://www.accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Nov. 7, 2018. Katzung BG, ed. General anesthetics. In: Basic & Clinical Pharmacology. 14th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Education; 2018. http://www.accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Nov. 7, 2018. Dorian RS. Anesthesia for the surgical patient. In: Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Education; 2015. http://www.accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Nov. 7, 2018. General anesthesia. American Society of Anesthesiologists. https://www.asahq.org/whensecondscount/anesthesia-101/types-of-anesthesia/general-anesthesia/. Accessed Nov. 7, 2018. Role of physician anesthesiologist. American Society of Anesthesiologists. https://www.asahq.org/whensecondscount/anesthesia-101/role-of-physician-anesthesiologist/. Accessed Nov. 7, 2018. Anesthesia care team. American Society of Anesthesiologists. https://www.asahq.org/whensecondscount/anesthesia-101/anesthesia-care-team/. Accessed Nov. 7, 2018. Anesthesia risks. American Society of Anesthesiologists. https://www.asahq.org/whensecondscount/anesthesia-101/anesthesia-risks/. Accessed Nov. 7, 2018. Age. American Society of Anesthesiologists. https://www.asahq.org/whensecondscount/preparing-for-surgery/risks/age/. Accessed Nov. 7, 2018. Anesthesia awareness (waking up) during surgery. American Society of Anesthesiologists. https://www.asahq.org/whensecondscount/preparing-for-surgery/risks/waking-up-during-surgery/. Accessed Nov. 7, 2018. Avidan M. Awareness with recall following general anesthesia. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Sept. 28, 2015. Khan NA, et al. Perioperative management of blood glucose in adults with diabetes mellitus. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 7, 2018. Preparing for surgery: Checklist. American Society of Anesthesiologists. https://www.asahq.org/whensecondscount/preparing-for-surgery/prep/preparing-for-surgery-checklist/. Accessed Nov. 7, 2018. Effects of anesthesia. American Society of Anesthesiologists. https://www.asahq.org/whensecondscount/anesthesia-101/effects-of-anesthesia/. Accessed Nov. 7, 2018. Muluk V, et al. Perioperative medication management. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 7, 2018. Wilkinson JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 19, 2018. Related
News from Mayo Clinic
Ask the Mayo Mom: Spinal anesthesia has advantages for some pediatric surgeries Nov. 19, 2021, 01:40 p.m. CDT Products & Services
Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter - Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic General anesthesia
AboutDoctors & Departments Advertisement
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book PRC-20155105 Patient Care & Health Information Tests & Procedures General anesthesia