What is anesthesia?
Anesthetics are medications that help control pain during hand surgery or other types of surgery. Depending on the type of anesthesia, it may put you to sleep or it may just numb the area where you’re getting surgery. Anesthesia is how your surgeon can control your breathing, blood pressure and heart rate during the procedure.
In the simplest sense, anesthesia is medication that helps alleviate pain or discomfort during a procedure. There are numerous types and delivery methods. Additionally, different drugs can be used in combinations as appropriate for the patient and the procedure.
Dr. Edna Ma, an anesthesiologist who practices at 90210 Surgery Medical Center, adds that anesthesia consists of three major components. They can be used together or individually. These components are:
• Analgesia—pain reduction or elimination
• Amnesia—which is temporary and may include unconsciousness
• Muscle relaxation
Different types of anesthesia?
There are many different types of anesthesia you could receive, and how you receive the medication (through an IV, injection, etc.) may vary. Here are how the different types of anesthesia work:
- General anesthesia is when you will be unconscious. You may inhale gas or receive medication in your IV to put you to sleep. Your anesthesiologist will control how long you are asleep depending on the length of the surgery.
- Local anesthesia will be used to numb a small area of the body where you are receiving surgery. It will be injected directly into the area. This means you will be wide awake during the surgery, but you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. The numbing can last for as little as one hour or more than 8 hours, depending on the length of your surgery.
- Monitored anesthesia care makes you more relaxed during surgery. It will keep you awake during the surgery, but you likely won’t remember anything during the procedure. It will be given by your anesthesia team via an injection.
- Regional anesthesia puts parts of your body to sleep. The medication may be injected through a needle. It may also be through an IV line. The medication can give you between one and 24 hours of pain relief.
Anesthesiologist ?
An anesthesiologist is a specially trained doctor who specializes in anesthesia. While you’re under anesthesia, the anesthesiologist monitors your body’s vital functions and manages your breathing.
In many hospitals, an anesthesiologist and a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) work together during your procedure.
Is anesthesia dangerous?
General anesthesia is overall very safe; most people, even those with significant health conditions, are able to undergo general anesthesia itself without serious problems.
In fact, your risk of complications is more closely related to the type of procedure you’re undergoing and your general physical health, rather than to the type of anesthesia.
Older adults, or those with serious medical problems, particularly those undergoing more extensive procedures, may be at increased risk of postoperative confusion, pneumonia, or even stroke and heart attack. Specific conditions that can increase your risk of complications during surgery include:
- Smoking
- Seizures
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Other medical conditions involving your heart, lungs or kidneys
- Medications, such as aspirin, that can increase bleeding
- History of heavy alcohol use
- Drug allergies
- History of adverse reactions to anesthesia
These risks are more generally related to the surgery itself rather than the anesthesia.
How does anesthesia work?
Your anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, along with your doctor, will recommend the best anesthesia option for you based on the type of surgery you are having, your overall health and your individual preferences. And the procedures are as follows.,
Before the procedure
Before you undergo general anesthesia, your anesthesiologist will talk with you and may ask questions about:
- Your health history
- Your prescription medications, over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements
- Allergies
- Your past experiences with anesthesia
This will help your anesthesiologist choose the medications that will be the safest for you.
During the procedure
Your anesthesiologist usually delivers the anesthesia medications through an intravenous line in your arm. Sometimes you may be given a gas that you breathe from a mask. Children may prefer to go to sleep with a mask.
Once you’re asleep, the anesthesiologist may insert a tube into your mouth and down your windpipe. The tube ensures that you get enough oxygen and protects your lungs from blood or other fluids, such as stomach fluids. You’ll be given muscle relaxants before doctors insert the tube to relax the muscles in your windpipe.
Your doctor may use other options, such as a laryngeal airway mask, to help manage your breathing during surgery.
Someone from the anesthesia care team monitors you continuously while you sleep. He or she will adjust your medications, breathing, temperature, fluids and blood pressure as needed. Any issues that occur during the surgery are corrected with additional medications, fluids and, sometimes, blood transfusions.
After the procedure
When the surgery is complete, the anesthesiologist reverses the medications to wake you up. You’ll slowly wake either in the operating room or the recovery room. You’ll probably feel groggy and a little confused when you first wake. You may experience common side effects such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
- Itching
- Shivering
- Sleepiness
- Mild hoarseness
You may also experience other side effects after you awaken from anesthesia, such as pain. Your anesthesia care team will ask you about your pain and other side effects. Side effects depend on your individual condition and the type of surgery. Your doctor may give you medications after your procedure to reduce pain and nausea.
