“Is general anesthesia safe for the lungs?”
I will have surgery under general anesthesia. Is general anesthesia safe for the lungs?
2 Answers
If you don't smoke, then your lungs do well with general anesthesia; however, if you do smoke or if you have asthma, then you will find that you may accumulate secretions in your lungs during general anesthesia and these secretions will promote more vigorous and prolonged coughing episodes postoperatively.
Everything has side effects or risks. Discuss concerns with Anesthesia.
