“How does anesthesia affect the respiratory system?”
I am a 34 year old female, I want to know how does anesthesia affect the respiratory system?
2 Answers
A general anesthetic will depress respiratory drive. After a general anesthetic it is also very common to have collapse of the very small air sacs which can cause decreased oxygen post-operatively, which unless you have pulmonary issues pre-operatively, this is of no consequence.
General anesthesia blocks your reflexes. Once it's discontinued, you recover them. Also, you do not breathe. You are paralyzed. Once discontinued, muscle paralysis is reversed. You breathe again.
