Anesthesia
What it is
Anesthesia is a way to control pain during a surgery or procedure by using medicine called anesthetics. Anesthesia can help control your breathing, blood pressure, blood flow, heart rate and heart rhythm. Anesthesia may be used to:
Other medicines may be used along with anesthesia, such as
those to help you relax or to reverse the effects of the pain management drug that was administered to you.
Types of anesthesia
Local anesthesia
Local anesthesia numbs a small part of the body for minor procedures. For example, you may get a shot of medicine directly into the surgical area to block pain. You may stay awake during the procedure.
Regional anesthesia
Regional anesthesia blocks pain to a larger part of your body. You may also receive medicine to help you relax or sleep. Types of regional anesthesia include:
General anesthesia
General anesthesia affects your brain and the rest of your body. You may receive these anesthetics through a vein intravenously (an IV), and you may breathe in some as well. With general anesthesia, you're unconscious and you don't feel pain during the surgery.
What determines the type of anesthesia used?
The type of anesthesia used depends on several factors:
Your past and current health
This includes other surgeries you've had and the health problems you have such as heart disease or diabetes. Tell your doctor if you or any family members have had a serious reaction to anesthetics or other medicines.
The type of surgery
For example, you may need general anesthesia to ensure your comfort and safety during certain types of surgery.
The results of tests
Certain screenings such as blood tests or an electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) may yield results that will determine which type of anesthesia is best for your health as well as what's most ideal for your particular procedure.
Your doctor or nurse may prefer one type of anesthesia over another for your surgery. In some cases, your doctor or nurse may let you choose which type to have. In other cases (such as an emergency), however, you don't get to choose.
What are the risks and complications of anesthesia?
Major side effects and other problems of anesthesia aren't common, especially in people who are in good health. All anesthesia, however, has some risk. For example:
- After general anesthesia heart problems, pneumonia, sore throat or vomiting can occur.
- With high doses of local anesthesia, the anesthetic can go into the rest of the body and affect your brain or heart.
- After spinal anesthesia, some people experience headaches.
Your risk depends on the type of anesthesia you are given, your age, your health and how you respond to the medicines used. Some health problems (such as heart or lung disease) increase your chances of problems from anesthesia. Taking certain medications, smoking, drinking alcohol and using illegal drugs can also increase your chance of problems.
Your doctor or nurse will talk with you about the best type for you and will review risks, benefits and other choices.
How to prepare for anesthesia
Your doctor or nurse will let you know what to do the night before and the day of the procedure. Here are some tips to help you prepare:
If your child is having surgery or a procedure done, you can help him or her prepare. Let your child know what to expect. Be honest if he or she might feel pain, and be sure to tell your child you will be close by.
What happens while you're under anesthesia and when you recover?
Before and during surgery, an anesthesia specialist will take charge of your comfort and safety. He or she will give you the anesthesia and closely monitor you. This means he or she will check your blood pressure, breathing, heart rate and other vital body functions throughout the procedure. During surgery, the anesthesia specialist will also continue to administer drugs to keep you free of pain.
When the procedure is complete, you will stop receiving pain control medication. How quickly the anesthesia wears off depends on the anesthetics and other medicines used, as well as your response to the drugs.
After surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room. A nurse will check your vital signs and any bandages, and ask about the pain you may be feeling. If you are in pain, don't be afraid to say so.
Effects of anesthesia
Some effects of anesthesia may last for many hours after surgery.
For minor surgeries, you may go home the same day. If your procedure is more complicated, you may have to move to a hospital room to continue your recovery. If you stay in the hospital, your doctor or nurse will visit you to check on your condition and answer any questions you may have.
Source: WebMD Medical Reference
Anesthesia is a way to control pain during a surgery or procedure by using medicine called anesthetics. Anesthesia can help control your breathing, blood pressure, blood flow, heart rate and heart rhythm. Anesthesia may be used to:
- Relax you.
- Block pain.
- Make you sleepy.
- Make you unconscious for your surgery.
Other medicines may be used along with anesthesia, such as
those to help you relax or to reverse the effects of the pain management drug that was administered to you.
Types of anesthesia
Local anesthesia
Local anesthesia numbs a small part of the body for minor procedures. For example, you may get a shot of medicine directly into the surgical area to block pain. You may stay awake during the procedure.
Regional anesthesia
Regional anesthesia blocks pain to a larger part of your body. You may also receive medicine to help you relax or sleep. Types of regional anesthesia include:
- Peripheral nerve blocks. This is a shot of anesthetic to block pain around a specific nerve or group of nerves. Blocks are often used for procedures on the hands, arms, feet, legs or face.
- Epidural and spinal anesthesia. This is a shot of anesthetic near the spinal cord and the nerves connected to it. It works by blocking pain from an entire region of the body such as the abdomen, hips or legs.
General anesthesia
General anesthesia affects your brain and the rest of your body. You may receive these anesthetics through a vein intravenously (an IV), and you may breathe in some as well. With general anesthesia, you're unconscious and you don't feel pain during the surgery.
What determines the type of anesthesia used?
The type of anesthesia used depends on several factors:
Your past and current health
This includes other surgeries you've had and the health problems you have such as heart disease or diabetes. Tell your doctor if you or any family members have had a serious reaction to anesthetics or other medicines.
The type of surgery
For example, you may need general anesthesia to ensure your comfort and safety during certain types of surgery.
The results of tests
Certain screenings such as blood tests or an electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) may yield results that will determine which type of anesthesia is best for your health as well as what's most ideal for your particular procedure.
Your doctor or nurse may prefer one type of anesthesia over another for your surgery. In some cases, your doctor or nurse may let you choose which type to have. In other cases (such as an emergency), however, you don't get to choose.
What are the risks and complications of anesthesia?
Major side effects and other problems of anesthesia aren't common, especially in people who are in good health. All anesthesia, however, has some risk. For example:
- After general anesthesia heart problems, pneumonia, sore throat or vomiting can occur.
- With high doses of local anesthesia, the anesthetic can go into the rest of the body and affect your brain or heart.
- After spinal anesthesia, some people experience headaches.
Your risk depends on the type of anesthesia you are given, your age, your health and how you respond to the medicines used. Some health problems (such as heart or lung disease) increase your chances of problems from anesthesia. Taking certain medications, smoking, drinking alcohol and using illegal drugs can also increase your chance of problems.
Your doctor or nurse will talk with you about the best type for you and will review risks, benefits and other choices.
How to prepare for anesthesia
Your doctor or nurse will let you know what to do the night before and the day of the procedure. Here are some tips to help you prepare:
- Know when to stop eating and drinking. If you take any prescriptions or supplements regularly, ask your doctor or nurse about changes to your medication routine for the day before or the day of your surgery.
- Try to stay calm. Many people are nervous before they have anesthesia and surgery. Mental relaxation methods such as guided imagery or meditation can help you relax. Some medicines can also help you relax.
- Plan ahead for going home. Ask a friend or a family member to drive you home-- Don't plan to drive yourself.
If your child is having surgery or a procedure done, you can help him or her prepare. Let your child know what to expect. Be honest if he or she might feel pain, and be sure to tell your child you will be close by.
What happens while you're under anesthesia and when you recover?
Before and during surgery, an anesthesia specialist will take charge of your comfort and safety. He or she will give you the anesthesia and closely monitor you. This means he or she will check your blood pressure, breathing, heart rate and other vital body functions throughout the procedure. During surgery, the anesthesia specialist will also continue to administer drugs to keep you free of pain.
When the procedure is complete, you will stop receiving pain control medication. How quickly the anesthesia wears off depends on the anesthetics and other medicines used, as well as your response to the drugs.
After surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room. A nurse will check your vital signs and any bandages, and ask about the pain you may be feeling. If you are in pain, don't be afraid to say so.
Effects of anesthesia
Some effects of anesthesia may last for many hours after surgery.
- You may have some numbness or less feeling in part of your body if you had local or regional anesthesia.
- Your muscle control and coordination may be affected.
- You may have nausea and vomiting. Most of the time, this doesn't last long and can easily be treated.
- You may feel cold and may shiver when you first wake up.
For minor surgeries, you may go home the same day. If your procedure is more complicated, you may have to move to a hospital room to continue your recovery. If you stay in the hospital, your doctor or nurse will visit you to check on your condition and answer any questions you may have.
Source: WebMD Medical Reference
