I read that it is wise to stop taking herbal medicines several weeks before an operation because of a reaction with the anesthesia. My sister had a hysterectomy 7 weeks ago and has been having many problems since with a rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure. Could this be the result of the herbs she was taking before the operation? Is her problem common? 

ﾠIn 1997, U.S. adults spent more than $3.5 billion on herbal products and billions more on vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements. The American Society of Anesthesiologists has issued a special warning to the public and the profession advising that many of these products may cause unexpected reactions with anesthesia. The extent of the problem is unknown but research is underway. It`s certainly possible that the problems your sister is experiencing could be related to herbal medicines. However, most anesthesia medicines are cleared from the body within 24 to 48 hours, and at 7 weeks there should be no trace of them. Your sister should consult her physician about the potentially serious symptoms you have described. 

I have heard that sometimes the patient feels the tube being inserted down the throat when being given an anesthestic. Does this happen frequently? 

ﾠDuring general anesthesia most patients are `unaware`, that is they are unconscious and therefore unable to recall any of the events of the surgery, such as insertion of the breathing tube, cutting of the skin, conversation in the operating room, and so on. Awareness with recall of events occurs infrequently - recent studies suggest this happens perhaps 0.2 - 0.5% of the time. Often this is during surgery where, intentionally, very little anesthesia is given. Examples are cesarean sections (to avoid putting the baby at risk) and emergency surgery for major trauma (because anesthetic drugs cause depression of the heart and circulation which might be very dangerous in an already sick patient). 

In certain special circumstances the breathing tube may be inserted while the patient is still awake. This is not as nasty as its sounds, provided that the mouth and throat are `numbed up` with local anesthetic and some sedative drugs are given. 

Newer brain monitors might assist in preventing unintentional awareness during general anesthesia in healthy persons undergoing routine surgery but their routine use is controversial and they are not universally accepted to prevent awareness. 

I had a hysterectomy 1-12-1999 and now the Dr. wants me to have a bartholin cyst removed. I am afraid to be put under again so soon. Please let me know if it is too soon. Also, what are the side affects of anesthesia? 

ﾠThere is usually no additional risk associated with having a second anesthetic, even if it is days (or even hours) after the original procedure. Most anesthetic medications are cleared from the body within 24 to 48 hours. The most common side-effects of general anesthesia include nausea or vomiting, sore throat, and drowsiness. These symptoms do not usually persist. Some of the other potential problems are discussed elsewhere on this site. 

In reading other questions, I can conclude that general anesthesia is one that puts you to sleep. Would that usually be administered intravenously? If asleep is general, what is laughing gas considered? 

ﾠGeneral anesthesia is a state of unconsciousness that can be induced by a variety of different drugs (anesthetic "agents"). Some anesthetic agents are administered by vein ("intravenously"). Sodium thiopental and propofol are examples of intravenous anesthetics. Other anesthetic agents are breathed in, or inhaled. Inhalational anesthetics include halothane, isoflurane and ether (no longer commonly used in North America). General anesthesia is not the same as the state of normal sleep, but is more like a "controlled coma", in which many of the body`s reflexes are suppressed (this is what permits surgery to be done) but vital functions such as breathing and heart function are also inhibited (this makes anesthetic agents inherently dangerous). Nitrous oxide (sometimes called "laughing gas") is an inhalational anesthetic agent. It is often used, always in combination with other agents, to induce general anesthesia. As a sole agent, nitrous oxide is commonly used in dental offices to provide analgesia (pain relief). When given in this way, the patient remains conscious, but somewhat indifferent to pain. A state of elevated mood can occur, hence the name.