Does being overweight affect anesthesia?

One of the biggest concerns is that being overweight makes you more likely to have a condition called sleep apnea, which causes you to temporarily stop breathing while you sleep. This can make anesthesia riskier, especially general anesthesia, which causes you to lose consciousness.

What are the risks for General anaesthetic for children?

Some children may also have disturbed sleep patterns for a few days after an operation. More serious problems are uncommon but include a minor cut lip, damage to teeth, an allergic or other reaction to a drug, and breathing difficulties either during or after an anaesthetic.

What are the anaesthetic problems caused by morbid obesity?

Effect of fat distribution Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common problem in the morbidly obese. Less well known is the obesity-hypoventilation syndrome. This and OSA are discreet but often coexisting entities (discussed later). BMI alone is a poor predictor of comorbidity, surgical, or anaesthetic difficulty.

What are two complications that being overweight as a child can lead to?

It’s particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems that were once considered adult problems — diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Childhood obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and depression.

Is there a weight limit for general anesthesia?

Most operating tables are designed for patients of up to 120–140 kg in weight. For those who weigh more than this limit, specially designed tables may be needed. Position should be maintained to prevent nerve compressions and pressure sores.

What is the weight limit for anesthesia?

There is no weight limit for surgery, per se. If one needs life-saving surgery, surgery will be done independently of a patient’s weight. However, being obese or morbidly obese increases the risk for complications from anesthesia and surgery alike, especially in an emergent situation.

What age is safe for anesthesia?

Due to the uncertainty about the effects of exposure to anesthesia in childhood, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises that elective (not mandatory for health) surgery and anesthesia be delayed until after 3 years of age when possible.

What are 5 consequences of childhood obesity?

Childhood unhealthy weights may result in serious medical problems in childhood such as: type 2 diabetes. high blood pressure and elevated blood cholesterol. liver disease.

What happens to a child who is obese due to overeating?

Children who are overweight or obese are at risk for serious health problems as they get older, including: Heart disease. Diabetes. High blood pressure.

How does obesity complicate surgery?

Obese patients who undergo surgery are at greater risk for surgical site infection and slower healing because of reduced blood flow in fat tissue. In addition, many obese patients have diabetes, which also increases the risk of post-surgical infections.

What is the highest BMI you can have for surgery?

The ideal range for BMI is from 20 to 25. A BMI over 25 is termed as being overweight and over 30 is termed as being obese. There can be a higher risk of surgical and anaesthetic complications if you have a BMI over 30.