Alzheimers and Anesthesia Risks

Dear Ask The Doctor: My mom is 83 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 6 years ago what are the complications of anesthesia she is going to have a colonoscopy?

Dear Carmen: Your mother will not be placed under general anesthesia for the procedure but will instead be sedated. She will be at risk for respiratory difficulty, low blood pressure, irregular heart rate and allergic reactions to the drug(s) used. These are some of the general complications related to anesthesia. Specific complications will vary according to the sedative used.