Are redheads more likely to wake up during surgery?

It seems that redheads require more anesthesia to “go under” than other hair colors do — about 20\% more. A new study has implications for redheads who require surgery. It also gives researchers a better understanding of how anesthesia works in humans.

Do redheads need more anesthesia during surgery?

Here’s what studies have revealed about redheads and pain: They need about 20 percent more anesthesia to be sedated. They also need more local topical anesthetics, such as lidocaine or Novocain, which is why many redheads have a fear of dentists, according to the American Dentistry Association.

Do redheads feel more pain?

Research has shown that people with red hair perceive pain differently than others. They may be more sensitive to certain types of pain and can require higher doses of some pain-killing medications. However, studies suggest that their general pain tolerance may be higher.

How common is it to wake up during colonoscopy?

Very rarely — in only one or two of every 1,000 medical procedures involving general anesthesia — a patient may become aware or conscious.

Do redheads bleed more during surgery?

In fact, the research shows that redheads have normal coagulation, and are not at additional risk for bleeding during surgery.

Why are redheads resistant to anesthesia?

There is an anecdotal impression that anesthetic requirement is increased in redheads. Furthermore, red hair results from distinct mutations of the melanocortin-1 receptor. We thus tested the hypothesis that the requirement for the volatile anesthetic desflurane is greater in natural redhead than in dark-haired women.

Why do redheads require more anesthesia?

There are several theories as to why redheads require more anesthesia and they relate to the melanocortin-1 receptor with is responsible for making the red pigment pheomelanin and underproduce the dark pigment eumelanin. The thought is that the same genotype that causes this pigment may also be in…

Is the redhead gene dominant or recessive?

The redhead gene is recessive and can skip several generations. (Image credit: Thaiview | Shutterstock ) Some parents worry that their children will be born with a rare disease or a hidden genetic disorder.

Do gingers need anesthesia during surgery?

According to recent studies, it appears gingers need extra anesthesia to put them under during surgery. The same gene that gives redheads their hair color is apparently responsible for the way the body handles pain.

Is there a genetic link between pain and anesthesia?

So while geneticists are confident that the MC1R gene is directly related to pain, it’s the space in between point A and point B that requires filling in. The University of Louisville study provided the first demonstrable link between a phenotype (a visible genetic trait) and anesthesia.

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