Epidural Anesthesia is a type of anesthesia that provides regional pain relief or total loss of sensation throughout the lower half of the body.http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/epidural.html Most commonly known as a pain relief option used by pregnant women during childbirth, the epidural is also used in other procedures and operations such as hernia surgery, hip replacements, and orthopedic procedures involving the lower half of the body.http://www.epidural.net/ Epidural anesthesia is also often used during birth by caesarean section, as it carries lower risks than general anesthesia and allows a mother to be awake during the birth of her child.http://anesthesiologyinfo.com/articles/10032002b.php

The administration of an epidural involves injecting pain medication directly into the epidural space that surrounds the spine via a catheter.http://midwifeinfo.com/articles/epidural-anesthesia-in-labor The drugs typically used in epidural anesthesia are those of the “caine” variety, specifically, bupivacaine, chloroprocaine, and lidocaine.http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/epidural.html However, these medications are sometimes used in combination with other drugs.http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/epidural.html

There are two types of epidurals generally performed in a hospital. The regular epidural involves the injection of a combination of anesthetic and narcotic that is either given via pump or at regular intervals.http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/epidural.html Patients given this form of epidural, such as pregnant women in labor, will likely have to remain in bed.http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/epidural.html

A combined spinal-epidural, or CSE, is sometimes referred to as a “walking epidural.”http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/epidural.html A CSE is placed in a slightly different area, called the intrathecal space, and allows for some mobility.http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/epidural.html However, the term “walking epidural” may be misleading, as muscle strength and coordination are still affected by the epidural.http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/epidural.html

There are a few risks and side effects a patient may experience when receiving epidural anesthesia. If the needled used to administer the medication accidentally punctures the dura, a spinal headache may occur as spinal fluid leaks from the puncture site.http://www.livestrong.com/article/122264-epidural-side-effects-risks/ Though rare, nerve damage can occur if the needle accidentally touches the nerves surrounding the spinal cord or the spinal cord itself.http://www.livestrong.com/article/122264-epidural-side-effects-risks/ As with any invasive procedure, there is a small risk of infection.http://www.livestrong.com/article/122264-epidural-side-effects-risks/

In pregnant patients, an epidural can cause a drop in blood pressure during labor.http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/epidural.html Other side effects can include shivering, soreness, backache, and trouble urinating.http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/epidural.html Some studies show that having an epidural during labor can lead to hospital interventions such as higher rates of caesarean section, forceps delivery, or vacuum extraction, and that epidural use may cause more difficulty with breastfeeding.http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/epidural.html

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