Side effects

General anaesthetics havesome common side effects.Your anaesthetist should discuss these with you before your surgery.

Most side effects occur immediately after your operation and don't last long. Possible side effects include:

• feeling sick and vomiting thisusually occurs immediately, although some people may continue to feel sick for up to a day
• shivering and feeling cold this may last a few minutes or hours
• confusion and memory loss this is more common in elderly people or those with existing memory problems; it's usually temporary, but occasionally can be longer lasting
• bladder problems you may have difficulty passing urine
• dizziness you will be given fluids to treat this
• bruising and soreness this may develop in the area where you were injected or had a drip fitted; it usually heals without treatment
• sore throat during your operation, a tubemay be inserted either into your mouth or down your throat to help you breathe; afterwards, this can cause asore throat
• damage to the mouthor teeth a small proportion of people may have small cuts to their lips or tongue from the tube, and some may have damage to their teeth; you should tell your anaesthetist about any dental work you have had done

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018

Health News

Air pollution link with mental health problems

No proof that a mother's intake of fluoride in pregnancy affects their child's IQ

Does gluten in children's diets raise the risk of coeliac disease?

Social media use in teens linked to cyberbullying and less sleep and exercise

Promising initial results raise hopes for chlamydia vaccine

Fast food restaurants on commuter routes 'contributing' to obesity