Side Effects of Spinal Anesthesia
Spinal anesthesia, also referred to as subarachnoid block, involves the injection of local anesthetic and analgesics into a specific area known as the subarachnoid space, located near the spinal cord. This technique results in the numbness of particular regions of the body. Among the most notable side effects associated with this type of anesthesia are the following:
Headaches
Headaches are one of the most prevalent side effects of spinal anesthesia, typically experienced on the day of the procedure or the following day. Patients may notice that these headaches worsen with movements such as standing or twisting but often improve over time through rest, hydration, and the use of paracetamol. In some cases, individuals may develop severe headaches due to cerebrospinal fluid leakage into the epidural space, resulting in a spinal headache. Treatment may involve an epidural blood patch, which entails injecting a portion of the patient’s blood into the site of the leak.
Back Pain
Patients may experience back pain, which can arise from extended joints, tendons, and back muscles that were relaxed due to anesthesia, or it might result from the needle puncturing the back tissues, or due to body positioning during the procedure.
Nausea or Vomiting
Shortly after the administration of spinal anesthesia, patients may feel sensations of warmth and tingling throughout their bodies, often accompanied by the expansion of blood vessels. This can lead to feelings of nausea, frequently exacerbated by a drop in blood pressure. Nausea may also occur as a side effect of the pain-relief medications utilized.
Other Symptoms
In addition to the aforementioned effects, several other side effects may occur with spinal anesthesia, including:
- Prolonged numbness or weakness: The duration of numbness can vary based on the type of medication used, typically lasting around 6 to 8 hours.
- Itching: This sensation often arises due to the analgesics administered along with the anesthesia.
- Urinary retention: The nerve fibers responsible for bladder emptying take longer to recover from spinal anesthesia effects. Hence, a catheter may be necessary to prevent complications such as fluctuations in blood pressure and pulse due to urinary retention.
- Shortness of breath: This can occur in some cases as a result of the anesthesia affecting sensory nerves that transmit information regarding breath depth and effectiveness to the brain.
Complications of Spinal Anesthesia
While spinal anesthesia is generally safe, some individuals may experience complications, including:
- Allergic reactions to the administered medications.
- Difficulties with urination.
- Nerve damage.
- Low blood pressure.
- Bleeding around the spinal column and the potential development of a hematoma.
- Infections in the spinal region, such as meningitis or abscesses.
- Convulsions, which are considered rare complications.