What is anesthesia?

Anesthesia is the use of drugs to prevent pain during the surgery and other procedures. These drugs are called anesthetics. It can be given by injection, inhalation, topical lotion, spray, eye drop, or skin patch. They make you lose your senses or consciousness.

What is anesthesia used for?

Anesthesia may be used for minor procedures such as filling teeth. It can be used during labor and procedures such as colonoscopy. And it is used for large and small jobs.

In some cases, a dentist, nurse, or doctor can provide anesthesia. In other cases, an anesthesiologist may be required. A doctor specializing in anesthesia.

Types of anesthesia?

During surgery, you will be given a type of anesthetic that is given to relieve pain and sensation during surgery. Make an appointment with an anesthesiologist or anesthesiologist before surgery. Your anesthesiologist will review your medical condition and medical history to plan appropriate anesthesia for surgery.

There are different forms of anesthesia. The type of anesthesia you receive depends on the type of surgery and your health. Sedatives (inducing sleep) and analgesics (relieving pain) may also be used as part of the anesthetic process. Different types of anesthesia include:

Local anesthesia

Local anesthesia is anesthesia given to temporarily stop the pain in a specific part of the body. You will remember this during local anesthesia. For minor surgery, a local anesthetic may be injected into the area or absorbed into the skin. However, if a large area needs to be anesthetized or if the local anesthetic injection does not penetrate deep enough, the doctor may use other forms of anesthesia.

Regional anesthesia

Regional anesthesia is used to paralyze only the part of the body to be operated on. Usually, a regional anesthetic is injected into a nerve area that provides sensation to that part of the body. There are several types of regional anesthesia.

Spinal anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia is used for surgery on the abdomen, pelvis, rectum, or leg. This type of anesthesia involves injecting a single dose of anesthetic into the area around the spinal cord.

Epidural anesthesia. Epidural anesthetics are similar to spinal anesthetics and are often used for lower limb surgery, labor and delivery. In this type of anesthesia, an anesthetic is continuously injected through a thin catheter (hollow tube). A catheter is inserted into the paraspinal space in the lower back to paralyze the lower body.

General

General anesthesia is the anesthesia used to induce unconsciousness during surgery. The medicine is inhaled through a mask or breathing tube or given through an intravenous (IV) line. During surgery, a breathing tube may be inserted into the trachea to help with proper breathing. After surgery, the anesthesiologist will turn off the anesthesia and take you to the recovery room for further monitoring.

Why is anesthesia important?

Pre-surgery - A few days or weeks before surgery, your anesthesiologist will guide you through detailed questions about your health, examinations, and review of examinations to make sure you are fit for surgery and prepare you for the procedure. An anesthesiologist will answer your questions about the operation and anesthesia. Be sure to tell the anesthesiologist about any medical problems you have, such as heart disease, diabetes, or asthma. medications you take (prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements); and if you have had any problems or concerns about anesthesia. Use this time to ask questions.

During surgery - Anesthetists manage pain management and closely monitor anesthesia and important body functions throughout the procedure, either individually or with the anesthesia management team. An anesthesiologist will treat chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems, as well as medical problems that arise during surgery.

Post-op - In the recovery room, an anesthetist can monitor you and others managing your recovery (breathing, circulation, consciousness, and oxygen levels) and contact you immediately with any questions or concerns. An anesthetist is usually the person who decides whether you are ready to go home after you have recovered from the anesthesia, or move to a general ward in a hospital or intensive care unit. An anesthesiologist will also create a recovery plan for you and may be involved in pain management after you return home.