General anesthesia renders a patient unconscious for painless surgery or medical procedures. It affects the whole body and carries risks, including heart attack, stroke, and death. Anesthesiologists use drugs and gases to create the level of unconsciousness required. Patients must follow behavioral requirements before and after the procedure to minimize risks.
General anesthesia is a medical procedure that renders a patient unconscious through the use of drugs and gas. Frequently used to enable quick and painless surgery or medical procedures, general anesthesia is a common tool in the medical world. Unlike local anesthesia, which numbs or relieves pain in a specific area, general anesthesia affects the whole body. Most people under this type of anesthesia experience no surgical pain and have no memory of the medical procedure.
For nearly the entire duration of human history, surgery has been performed without anesthesia, resulting in incredible pain and often severe psychological consequences for patients undergoing any type of medical procedure. Although some herbs and inhalants had been used to dull the pain, the idea of a general anesthetic didn’t catch on until the study of chemistry and scientific research became prevalent. In the mid-19th century, several physicians began using ether gas and nitrous oxide as a means to stop pain and calm patients during surgery. Although surgeons originally applied these first anesthetics themselves, modern medical practice often uses an anesthetist or licensed nurse practitioner trained in the application and monitoring of anesthesia.
General anesthesia is often recommended for lengthy surgeries or for those that require the patient to be held in a specific position. During surgery, the patient is closely monitored by an anesthesiologist who keeps track of vital signs and can give more medicines if the anesthetic seems to wear off. Despite the many guarantees, anesthesia carries some risks that vary with the patient’s health and medical history.
Although minor side effects, such as nausea, tremors, or extreme sleepiness, are common in most patients, major complications can occur during or after the use of general anesthesia. Heart attack, stroke, sharp drop in blood pressure, and even death can occur while a patient is under the influence of an anesthetic. Age, general health, and certain medical conditions greatly increase the risk of complications from anesthesia. Most doctors will request a complete medical history and physical exam before allowing a patient to undergo treatment.
Anesthesiologists use a variety of methods to create the level of unconsciousness required for painless surgery. Some methods use a cocktail of drugs and gases to ensure the patient is fully affected. Dental surgeons who perform sleep dentistry often require patients to take a muscle relaxant pill before entering the office, then apply additional gas or oral medications to complement the anesthetic effect.
There are often several behavioral requirements before general anesthesia can be applied. Because the process can relax the stomach and allow digested food to percolate into the lungs, doctors usually insist that the patient not eat for several hours before the procedure. In outpatient procedures, doctors also insist that the patient have a friend or relative to drive them to and from the appointment, as well as monitor the patient after the surgery is complete. It is important to follow the instructions regarding both pre-operative and post-operative behavior in order to minimize the risk of complications.
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