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Anesthesia FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Anesthesia
What is anesthesia?
Anesthesia is the use of medications and close monitoring to provide comfort and maintain vital life functions during surgery or other medical procedures. Medication use and close monitoring assist in controlling breathing, blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, and blood flow. Your anesthesia specialist, whether it is an anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist, is responsible for your comfort and safety during your surgery. This topic focuses on anesthesia care given by anesthesia specialists.
Depending on your medical condition, you may have an appointment with your anesthesia specialist before the day of your scheduled surgery or you may meet your anesthesia specialist on the day of your surgery. At this time, you will be able to ask questions and express any concerns about your anesthesia care.
What are the various types of anethesia?
There are basically three types of anesthesia: local, general and regional.
- A local is exactly that; anesthesia localized to a specific area or part of the body. A numbing agent is injected directly into the surgical area to block pain sensations at that particular site.
- A general anesthetic affects the brain as well as the entire body. You are completely unaware and do not feel pain during the surgery. In addition, general anesthesia often causes forgetfulness (amnesia) right after surgery .
- Regional anesthesia involves injection of a local anesthetic (numbing agent) around major nerves or the spinal cord to block pain from a larger but still limited part of the body. You may also receive medication to help you relax or sleep during surgery.
My doctor says I need a spinal (or epidural). What are these?
A local type of anesthetic medicine (numbing agent) is injected near the spinal cord and nerves that connect to the spinal cord to block pain from an entire region of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, or legs.
You will sit in bed or lie on your side. Your back will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution. The skin will be numbed and a smll needle will be placed in the numbed part. The anesthetic medicine will be injected through this needle. It is common to receive a sedative before receiving the spinal or epidural to help you relax.
How do you decide what kind of anesthesia to give me?
The anesthesia specialist will consider several factors when choosing your anesthesia, including:
- Your medical history. The anesthesia specialist will consider other surgeries you have had and any conditions you have (such as diabetes). You also will be asked whether you have had any allergic reactions to any anesthetics or medications or whether any family members have had reactions to anesthetics.
- The results of your physical exam. An exam will be done to evaluate your current health and identify any potential risks or complications that may affect your anesthesia care.
- The reason for your surgery and the type of surgery.
- Your risk factors for anesthesia or the surgery.
Why can't I eat before surgery?
Food and fluids are restricted to reduce the risk of aspiration by reducing the contents of your stomach. Aspiration occurs when an object or liquid is inhaled into the respiratory tract when a person regurgitates or vomits stomach contents into the throat. Aspiration during anesthesia is very uncommon, but it can cause severe complications.
How risky is anesthesia?
Major side effects and complications of anesthesia are uncommon, especially in people who are otherwise generally healthy. However, all anesthesia involves some risk. Your specific risks depend on the type of anesthesia used, your health, and your response to the medications used.
Some medical conditions increase your risk of complications from anesthesia. Your anesthesia specialist will identify any medical conditions you have that could affect your anesthesia care.
You are closely monitored during anesthesia to maintain your vital life functions that are affected by the surgery. Therefore, most side effects and complications can be avoided.
What happens after my surgery is finished?
Immediately after surgery, you will be taken to a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), often called the recovery room, where nurses will care for and observe you under the direction of an anesthesiologist. A nurse will check your vital signs and bandages and ask about your pain level.
Some effects of anesthesia may persist for many hours after the procedure. You may have some numbness or reduced sensation in the part of your body that was anesthetized with local or regional anesthesia. Your muscle control and coordination may also be affected.
Other common side effects of anesthesia are closely monitored and managed to decrease your discomfort. These side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting. In most cases, nausea after anesthesia can be treated and does not last long.
- A mild drop in body temperature (hypothermia). You may feel cold and shiver when you are waking up.
For minor surgeries, you may go home the same day. For more complicated surgeries, you will transfer to a hospital room to continue your recovery. If you stay in the hospital, your anesthesia specialist will visit you after your surgery to evaluate your recovery from anesthesia and answer any questions you have.
What is an anesthesiologist?
Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who specialize in anesthesiology. An anesthesiologist monitors and controls a person's body functions during surgery and other special medical procedures. Anesthesiologists can further specialize in critical care medicine or pain management. An anesthesiologist may supervise a nurse anesthetist. Anesthesiologists treat people of all age groups.
What is a nurse anesthetist?
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are anesthesia professionals who administer all types of anesthetics. CRNAs provide anesthetics to patients in collaboration with the anesthesiologists. CRNAs are advance practice nurses who undergo extensive clinical training in university-based or large community hospitals.
Where else can I look for more information about anesthesia?
For a more extensive look at anesthesia click here
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