Anesthetics are usually administered in order to keep a person from feeling pain while undergoing medical procedures.
Anesthesia
In general, anesthesia refers to using anesthetics to prevent the sensation of pain during medical procedures or surgery. These anesthetics block sensory signals temporarily from the nerves at the procedure site to the brain centers.
Anesthesia has different types, which all have different pathways of learning. Some medications numb certain body parts. There are also other anesthetics that numb the brain enough to induce sleep. This could be administered in cases where more invasive procedures are to be performed.
The type of anesthesia used by a healthcare provider would depend on the scope and type of the procedure. Anesthesia options include sedation, local anesthesia, regional anesthesia, and general anesthesia.
Sedation
Sedation, which is also referred to as twilight sleep, relaxes a person to the point where the person can take a nap. However, the sedated person may still wake up if communication is necessary.
Some procedures that are typically performed with sedation are cardiac catheterization, wisdom teeth removal, and certain colonoscopies.
Local Anesthesia
Local anesthesia numbers a small portion of the body. This type of anesthesia is usually used for medical procedures that are minimally invasive, such as skin biopsy or cataract surgery. One is generally awake during such procedures.
Regional Anesthesia
A larger portion of the body gets blocked from pain when regional anesthesia is applied. This could cover a limb or everything from the chest below.
Examples of regional anesthesia applications include an epidural for easing childbirth pain or an arm block in the case of hand surgery. Regional anesthesia can be administered on top of sedation, though it could also be administered on its own.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia makes a person unconscious and insensitive to painful sensations and other stimuli. This type of anesthesia is typically used for surgeries and invasive procedures, such as those of the abdomen, chest, or head.
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Pre and Post Anesthesia
When preparing for anesthesia, it is important that the healthcare provider is informed of a person's vitamins, supplements, and medications. This is because there are drugs that could boost risk of complications or interact with the anesthetics.
It is also crucial to avoid and drinks eight hours prior to the hospital visit, quit smoking, stop herbal supplement intake one to two weeks prior (as advised by the healthcare provider), stop Viagra or other erectile-dysfunction treatments 24 hours prior, and take particular medications for blood pressure (as directed by the healthcare provider).
After getting general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, or sedation, it is important to have another to drive the patient home, spend the rest of the day resting, not drive or maneuver equipment for 24 hours, only take supplements and medications that the healthcare provider approved, abstain from alcohol for 24 hours, and avoid making crucial or legal choices within 24 hours.
When Anesthesia Wears Off
Anesthetics can remain in a person's system for up to 24 hours. If administered with general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, or sedation, a person must not drive or go back to work before the drugs fully leave the body. However, for local anesthesia, normal activities can still be done as long as the healthcare provider gives their go signal.
Possible Side Effects
For people administered local or regional anesthesia, they may feel soreness in the injection site.
For those administered general anesthesia, feelings of grogginess or confusion are common after waking up from the surgery. Other side effects may include shakiness, chills, a dry throat, nausea, or vomiting. Such side effects usually do not pose any danger and are expected to quickly go away.
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