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Epidurals

Epidural anesthesia is one of the most popular ways to relieve pain during labor. A needle is inserted into the region that surrounds the spinal cord in the lower back. is threaded through the needle into the epidural space to block pain in that particular region.

167 Questions

Can you get epidural with scoliosis?

it depends on the place and degree of the curve. i could not, but my curve is in the lower spine. a friend of mine could b/c her curve was higher. you need to discuss it with your doctor.

Prominent epidural fat that narrows the cal?

Prominent epidural fat that narrows the spinal canal can indicate conditions such as obesity or degenerative changes in the spine, leading to potential spinal stenosis. This narrowing can compress spinal structures, resulting in symptoms like pain, numbness, or weakness in the limbs. Imaging studies, such as MRI, are often used to assess the extent of the fat and its impact on the spinal canal. Management may involve lifestyle changes, physical therapy, or surgical interventions, depending on the severity of symptoms.

Can having a lumbar spinal block affect your menstrual cycle?

Yes, a lumbar spinal block can potentially affect your menstrual cycle. The procedure may lead to temporary hormonal changes or alter the body's pain response, which could influence menstrual regularity. Additionally, stress and physical recovery from the procedure might also impact your cycle. However, individual responses vary, and it's best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

What is the dilation stage where it is okay to have the epidural?

Women do not have to wait until they are dilated to a certain level before they can ask for, or receive, an epidural. According to the ASA's current guidelines, "patients in early labor should be offered the option of receiving neuraxial analgesia (spinal or epidural) when the service is available, and it should not be withheld to meet arbitrary standards for cervical dilation." If a woman is in active, established labor, and is uncomfortable, epidural analgesia is the most effective method of pain relief. There is no medical reason to wait for a specific dilation target.

Source: http://www.lifelinetomodernmedicine.com/ArticlePage.aspx?ID=302a85f8-7135-4174-bd4c-2bc4ad7e04c2&LandingID=fc6eb1da-98e4-43c7-bb9f-09c17e2a005d

Most common side effects from epidural shot?

Although most women have epidurals with no problems, there are some potential side effects they should be aware of when choosing this as a pain relief method:


- Sometimes, an epidural can cause your blood pressure to decrease; this may occasionally cause your baby's heart rate to slow. To decrease this risk, you'll be given fluids through an intravenous line before the drug is injected. Often, just changing your position is all that is necessary to improve blood pressure.

- After delivery, your back may be sore from the injection for a few days. However, an epidural does not cause long-term back pain.

- If the covering of the spinal cord is pierced, you can get a bad headache, but this only happens about one percent of the time. It does not always cause a headache, but if one occurs, there are effective ways to treat it. If it's not treated, the headache may last for days, but this is rare.

- If the epidural has been given for an extended period of time, or if a lot of medication is given late in labor, it may be hard to feel when to push with a contraction. Your labor nurse can help time your efforts if you have trouble, and you should still be able to push effectively.

Source: http://www.lifelinetomodernmedicine.com/ArticlePage.aspx?ID=878fabbc-dd11-45d8-8524-fa7831b485a5&LandingID=fc6eb1da-98e4-43c7-bb9f-09c17e2a005d

Who created the epidural?

Dr. John Bonica invented the epidural in the 1930's and administered it to his own wife who was in labor at the time.

What is epidural injection and will it help the numbness in your toes?

epidural is used to help ease the contractions felt in the back and belly .the medication also may numb all the way to the toes,if you are lucky you may not even feel the baby coming out-unless you are like me and feel the entire thing

Under what circumstances is epidural therapy performed?

Epidural anesthesia can block most of the pain of labor and birth for vaginal and surgical deliveries. Epidural analgesia is also used after cesarean sections

Why would you have extra saliva during pregnancy?

No-one really knows but it is very common. Sometimes accompanied by a metallic taste. Not very pleasant I am afraid.

On a scale of 1-10 10 being the worst how painful is childbirth with an epidural?

It isn't painful at all with the epidural. The contractions leading up to it hurt real bad. but once the epidural kicks in, you don't feel a thing. I just had my first baby 8 months ago. The most painful part of the whole thing to me, was after the birth, they have to push on your stomache really hard to make sure the whole placenta came out. you don't feel them stitching you up or anything. But by that time, you will be holding your new beautiful baby and barely even notice.

Can an epidural cause hair loss?

It definitely can! A year and a half ago I had 3 intramuscular steroid injections in my lower back and a couple months later my hair started falling out by the handfuls. It quit just as fast as it started but it did last several months. Then in January my second doctor told me he wanted to try a series of 3 epidurals. I told him I was concerned about hair loss. He thought it would not affect it since the steroid would be staying in the spinal canal. Well, guess what?? Here it is June and my hair has been falling out starting the end of April and is continuing to fall out by the handfulls now. Hopefully it will stop soon. My dermatologist told me this is definitely a side effect to steroid injections and about the time you start freaking out about it because your hair is getting so thin, it seems to suddenly stop. Keep your fingers crossed!! I know I will never have another steroid injection again!

Are there special precautions to take the night before getting an epidural for a herniated disc?

if you're having local anesthesia you don't have to worry about having an empty stomach. wear comfortable clothes. for the ladies, make sure you don't urinate right before procedure. they do a preg test. i didn't realze this and had to fill up on water to get myself to pee in the cup. luckily the doc wasn't ready for me yet.

Where do you have your epidural?

An epidural block is given in the lower back into a small area (the epidural space) below the spinal cord. You will be asked to sit or lie on your side with your back curved outward and to stay this way until the procedure is completed. You can move when it's done, but you may not be allowed to walk around.

Source: http://www.lifelinetomodernmedicine.com/ArticlePage.aspx?ID=e746e318-69c5-4fef-aa4d-899a827d08c0&LandingID=4f04afc4-4f77-4eff-b20c-01e6e6ede922

Why can't you eat after an epidural?

It makes you higher risk of having a caesarean section and occasionally during a caesarean section, if there are complications, you need a general anaesthetic, where you are completely put to sleep. When under general anaesthetic, you have no gag reflex and could be sick and choke on it and die, but if you have an empty stomach, this won't happen

Where is an epidural placed?

An epidural block is given in the lower back into a small area (the epidural space) below the spinal cord. You will be asked to sit or lie on your side with your back curved outward and to stay this way until the procedure is completed. You can move when it's done, but you may not be allowed to walk around.

Source: http://www.lifelinetomodernmedicine.com/ArticlePage.aspx?ID=e746e318-69c5-4fef-aa4d-899a827d08c0&LandingID=4f04afc4-4f77-4eff-b20c-01e6e6ede922

Compare epidural hematoma and subdural hematoma?

Your skull is like a Box. You can only "fit" so much into it. When you introduce blood due to an injury (trauma), the blood has no where to go so this causes pressure on the brain and eventually you DIE! Your brain is covered with various tissue to protect and nourish it. In addition to the skull you have the dura matter (tough mother), arachnoid process (vascular) and the Pia matter which surrounds the brain. Trauma or striking the skull (falling down hitting your head, baseball bat, bullet) can cause injury to the tissues of the brain.The epidural hematoma involves an artery (usually the meningeal artery) and can occur in numerous places. This is a fast bleed and you can expire fast. The subdural is a venous bleed (slower) but can have the same devastating effects. In both cases neurosurgery is the only option, but in most cases by that time your chances for survival (morbidity) are small.

Effacement of the epidural fat?

There is mild narrowing of the central canal and teh lumbar spine. This in combination with prominent epidural fat, results in Effecement of Ceberal Spinal Fluid (CSF) around the nerve roots in the thecal sac.

What risk does an orchiectomy patient have when an epidural is used?

If the patient is having epidural anesthesia, the risks include bleeding into the spinal canal, nerve damage, or a spinal headache.