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.
There are two possible ways to administer a general anesthetic, intravenously or though inhalation. In most cases a combination of the two methods is used. A doctor called an anesthetist will administer the anesthetic and monitor it closely during the surgery, afterwards it will be reversed and the patient will become conscious.
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.
Injectable anesthesia drugs are typically fast-working and are used to both invoke unconsciousness and continue it throughout the surgical procedure. They are delivered through an intravenous drip. Etomidate and Propofol are two drugs which are often used for this purpose. In some cases benzodiazepines may be administered simultaneously to produce an sedative effect.
As a rule, any more extensive surgical procedure is best done while the patient is under a general anesthetic rather than a local one. The patient can discuss this matter with the anesthetist prior to the operation. Certain kinds of surgery most always use a general anesthesia, for instance hernia repair, hysterectomy, and removal of appendix and gallbladder.
Before the patient is given the anesthetic, the anesthetist will normally ask him or her several questions to determine if there is an increased risk. Such risks are very rare, but anesthesia does come with its potential dangers. Patients with allergies, smoking and drinking habits, and obesity are more likely to be affected by these complications. Another reason for such incidents is patients not following instructions properly, such as eating before surgery which may result in vomiting and aspiration.
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.
During the procedure the patient's vital signs will be closely watched to ensure they are not in jeopardy. There are also some side effects which may be experienced after the use of general anesthetics. The patient may feel nauseous, have chills, be dizzy, or have a sore throat due to the insertion of a breathing tube. These feelings typically abate in a few hours and a full recovery will take place. The benefits of this type of anesthesia normally outweigh the minor discomforts which can accompany it.
There are two possible ways to administer a general anesthetic, intravenously or though inhalation. In most cases a combination of the two methods is used. A doctor called an anesthetist will administer the anesthetic and monitor it closely during the surgery, afterwards it will be reversed and the patient will become conscious.
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.
Injectable anesthesia drugs are typically fast-working and are used to both invoke unconsciousness and continue it throughout the surgical procedure. They are delivered through an intravenous drip. Etomidate and Propofol are two drugs which are often used for this purpose. In some cases benzodiazepines may be administered simultaneously to produce an sedative effect.
As a rule, any more extensive surgical procedure is best done while the patient is under a general anesthetic rather than a local one. The patient can discuss this matter with the anesthetist prior to the operation. Certain kinds of surgery most always use a general anesthesia, for instance hernia repair, hysterectomy, and removal of appendix and gallbladder.
Before the patient is given the anesthetic, the anesthetist will normally ask him or her several questions to determine if there is an increased risk. Such risks are very rare, but anesthesia does come with its potential dangers. Patients with allergies, smoking and drinking habits, and obesity are more likely to be affected by these complications. Another reason for such incidents is patients not following instructions properly, such as eating before surgery which may result in vomiting and aspiration.
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.
During the procedure the patient's vital signs will be closely watched to ensure they are not in jeopardy. There are also some side effects which may be experienced after the use of general anesthetics. The patient may feel nauseous, have chills, be dizzy, or have a sore throat due to the insertion of a breathing tube. These feelings typically abate in a few hours and a full recovery will take place. The benefits of this type of anesthesia normally outweigh the minor discomforts which can accompany it.
About the Author:
Get detailed information on general anesthetics by touring our web pages at integraanesthesia.com now. To know more about our anesthesia services and get answers to frequently asked questions, check the links at http://integraanesthesia.com today.
No comments:
Post a Comment