Patients are often given general anesthetics before undergoing surgery in order to prevent them from being conscious and feeling pain. These are special types of drugs which there is some debate about how they work exactly. Several theories exist which differ yet basically all suggest that these medications effectively block the central nervous system's receptor cells and prevent the pain sensation.
Two methods are used to deliver this type of anesthesia, inhalation and intravenous. Usually a combination of both methods is used. Anesthesiology is the branch of medicine which deals with the prevention of pain during surgery, and the doctor who provides this care to the patient is called an anesthetist. This professional is responsible for ensuring the safe delivery of the drug during the operation and reversing it to bring about consciousness afterwards.
Inhaled anesthetics are given to the patient through a mask which covers his or her nose and mouth. These vaporized liquids or gases are mixed with oxygen, air and occasionally nitrous oxide in an anesthesia machine from which they are pumped through into the breathing mask and inhaled. The levels of the medication and the patient's response to it are constantly monitored by this machine. Some commonly used inhaled compounds are Sevoflurane, Isoflurane, and Desflurane.
The injectable form of anesthetics generally work faster and are effective for inducing unconsciousness and maintaining it through a constant intravenous drip. Drugs such as Propofol and Etomidate are some of the most common ones used in IV drips for general anesthesia. Sometimes benzodiazepines are given at the same time to bring about a sedative effect.
The use of a general anesthetic is usually indicated when the procedure to be performed is one that is lengthy and more complicated. The patient will discuss the issue of the most suitable type of anesthesia with the anesthetist. Examples of surgeries almost always requiring a general include removal of gallbladder or appendix, hernia repair, and hysterectomy.
Prior to administering this medication the anesthetist will ask the patient several questions to assess the risk. While highly uncommon, there are possible risks associated with undergoing anesthesia. Those who are obese, heavy drinkers or smokers, or have rare allergic reactions are usually affected more than others. Sometimes complications arise if the patient has not followed the doctor's instructions prior to the surgery, it is important to not eat anything for several hours before the operation as regurgitation and aspiration may occur.
Anesthesia has four stages. The first involves the induction of unconsciousness. The second stage is known as the REM stage. The third stage is termed "surgical anesthesia" and is characterized by constriction of the pupils, relaxation of the muscles, and regular breathing, this is the most stable stage during which the surgery will be performed. Stage four is to be avoided, as it is classified as overdose of the compounds administered and may be fatal if not reversed.
As the patient is undergoing surgery, his or her vital signs will need to be carefully monitored by medical personnel. It is normal for there to be some side effects immediately after the patient is revived such as dizziness, nausea, chills, and a sore throat from the breathing tube which was inserted. After a few hours these feelings will usually subside however. Overall, the benefits of general anesthetics are greater than the discomforts associated with it.
Two methods are used to deliver this type of anesthesia, inhalation and intravenous. Usually a combination of both methods is used. Anesthesiology is the branch of medicine which deals with the prevention of pain during surgery, and the doctor who provides this care to the patient is called an anesthetist. This professional is responsible for ensuring the safe delivery of the drug during the operation and reversing it to bring about consciousness afterwards.
Inhaled anesthetics are given to the patient through a mask which covers his or her nose and mouth. These vaporized liquids or gases are mixed with oxygen, air and occasionally nitrous oxide in an anesthesia machine from which they are pumped through into the breathing mask and inhaled. The levels of the medication and the patient's response to it are constantly monitored by this machine. Some commonly used inhaled compounds are Sevoflurane, Isoflurane, and Desflurane.
The injectable form of anesthetics generally work faster and are effective for inducing unconsciousness and maintaining it through a constant intravenous drip. Drugs such as Propofol and Etomidate are some of the most common ones used in IV drips for general anesthesia. Sometimes benzodiazepines are given at the same time to bring about a sedative effect.
The use of a general anesthetic is usually indicated when the procedure to be performed is one that is lengthy and more complicated. The patient will discuss the issue of the most suitable type of anesthesia with the anesthetist. Examples of surgeries almost always requiring a general include removal of gallbladder or appendix, hernia repair, and hysterectomy.
Prior to administering this medication the anesthetist will ask the patient several questions to assess the risk. While highly uncommon, there are possible risks associated with undergoing anesthesia. Those who are obese, heavy drinkers or smokers, or have rare allergic reactions are usually affected more than others. Sometimes complications arise if the patient has not followed the doctor's instructions prior to the surgery, it is important to not eat anything for several hours before the operation as regurgitation and aspiration may occur.
Anesthesia has four stages. The first involves the induction of unconsciousness. The second stage is known as the REM stage. The third stage is termed "surgical anesthesia" and is characterized by constriction of the pupils, relaxation of the muscles, and regular breathing, this is the most stable stage during which the surgery will be performed. Stage four is to be avoided, as it is classified as overdose of the compounds administered and may be fatal if not reversed.
As the patient is undergoing surgery, his or her vital signs will need to be carefully monitored by medical personnel. It is normal for there to be some side effects immediately after the patient is revived such as dizziness, nausea, chills, and a sore throat from the breathing tube which was inserted. After a few hours these feelings will usually subside however. Overall, the benefits of general anesthetics are greater than the discomforts associated with it.
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