Anesthesia for Surgery or a Medical Procedure is Essential for Control of Pain and Fear

Anesthesia is used to control pain and awareness during surgery or other medical procedures that may be painful, life threatening or frightening for the patient. Anesthesia may be used to relax you, or make you have a controlled memory lapse. It can make you unconscious or make you sleepy. There are even anesthesias that can block pain in just a small part of your body.

The anesthesia is delivered to the patient by a anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist. Both are highly trained in their specific specialty. Depending on the level you are anesthetized determines their involvement in keeping you safe. They will monitor your level of anesthesia constantly. Also your blood pressure, pulse and breathing. You will not be left unattended while you are under the influence of anesthesia.

The most commonly known anesthesia is General anesthesia. This type of anesthesia affects the brain (level of consciousness) and the entire body. The anesthesia is delivered by intravenous. And your body is completely in the care of the anesthetist. Even your breathing is controlled by him. General anesthesia causes amnesia regarding the surgery and the time right after it. General anesthesia is usually utilized for surgery where extensive pain would be involved to perform the procedure. There are instances where general anesthesia will be used for lesser procedures but due to the patients fear or anxiety level the patient will actually request a general. If there are no medical contraindications this request will usually be granted.

Then there is local anesthesia. This is just what it sounds like. A small or local area of the body is numbed to allow a painful procedure to be performed without discomfort. It is only used for minor procedures such as suturing a laceration. You are usually awake during the procedure.

Nerve Blocks or regional anesthesia blocks pain for a much larger portion of the body. Anesthetic medication is injected around major nerves leading to the specific area of the body in need of a procedure. You may be awake during the procedure but usually medication is given to help you significantly relax.

Main types of regional anesthesia includes peripheral nerve blocks, which is usually used for procedures on hands, arms, feet, legs or face. And Epidural and Spinal anesthesia. This is a shot of anesthesia near the spinal cord. It blocks pain to the lower half of the body, including the abdomen, hips and legs. This type anesthesia is used for hip, knee, or some types of abdominal surgery.

Spinal anesthesia is most usually opted for when a patient has medical issues that make being completely unconscious or when having their breathing controlled externally is not optimal. People with heart disease, lung disease or diabetes may considered for this type anesthesia.

Generally speaking it is quite safe to have anesthesia, and of course depending on the seriousness of the procedure, anesthesia of some kind is essential. Side effects and problems with a person having anesthesia are not common, in particular if the person is in good health. But you have to be aware that all anesthesia has some risk. The most common is allergic reaction to the medication used. And if you are in poor health the potential risks would increase. Generally speaking, there is more of a potential of complication with post procedure complication such as pneumonia or blood clots than there are with the anesthesia itself.

Anesthesia of any kind is only delivered to the patient after an informed consent is obtained from the patient. The anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will inform the patient of the type of anesthesia that is suggested and the potential side effects or adverse reactions. Once the patient is informed and has agreed, a consent is signed. There may be a second consent for the procedure to be performed or it may be included with the consent for anesthesia.

After your procedure you will be taken to a recovery room. You will be monitored by a nurse under the direction of the anesthetist. Your vital signs and any bandages you may have will be closely monitored. Also your pain will be monitored and controlled with medication.

If you had a local or regional anesthetic you may experience some numbness or tingling while the blocked appendage is "waking up". You will feel a lack of muscle control. This will only last as long as it takes for the anesthesia to completely wear off.

If you had a general anesthetic, you will be closely monitored the entire time you are waking up and nurses will re-orient you to your surroundings and what happened to you, so you won't be frightened. One of the most common side effects of general anesthesia is nausea and vomiting. Medication will be provided for relief of these symptoms as well as monitoring you to be sure you remain safe.

The most important thing is to ask questions. Be sure of what you are agreeing to before you agree. Don't feel you must do what the doctor is suggesting. You have the right to know all your options. A different anesthesia may be more optimal for you and your needs. Weigh all your options, but know that anesthesia is commonly used and is generally safe and is a much better option than the pain and fear that would be involved without it.

Source:

WebMD.com

MayoClinic.com

Nursing Experience