Anesthesia - What You Need To Know

What is anesthesia? 
It's a painless state brought about by various drugs (anesthetics).  It's used during many medical procedures, such as surgery and childbirth.

There are 3 main types of anesthesia:

• General -- affects the entire body
• Regional -- affects a section of the body, such as an arm
• Local -- affects only the area involved in the procedure.

Anesthesia specialists administer anesthetics. 
They include anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).  In some cases, surgeons or other trained medical personnel may also administer anesthetics.

Like any medical procedure, anesthesia may involve some risk.  But, it's safer than ever before!
This information is not a substitute for an informed discussion between a patient and his or her health care provider, anesthesioloigst or certified registered nurse anesthetist of the procedures or medications described.

Getting ready for anesthesia involves:
Special tests.  Your health-care provider may order lab tests, X-rays or other tests.

A pre-op interview.
Before your surgery, you'll meet with your anesthesia specialist to discuss anesthesia.  Be prepared to talk about:

• Your recent health history (colds, flu, etc.)
• Chronic medical conditions (heart disease, diabetes, etc.)
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications you may be taking
• Allergies to medicines, latex, etc.
• Past experiences with anesthesia (and the experiences of blood relatives)
• Your use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs (What you say in a medical interview is confidential -- be honest about your habits.)

Be sure to discuss all of your concerns and risks.  It may help to make a list of your questions, medicines, etc.

Regional And Local Anesthesia
This type of anesthesia numbs only part of the body.  They may be used for simpler procedures and they involve few risks.  Here's what usually happens:

• You may be given medications to help you relax or sleep.
• The anesthetic may be injected or applied as an ointment, cream, drops of spray.
• You'll feel numb in the affected area as the anesthetic stops nerves from sending signals to the brain.

Four Types Of Regional Anesthesia Can Be Used:

• Intravenous Regional Anesthesia.  This is also called a Bier Block.  A tourniquet is wrapped around a limb to briefly stop blood flow.  An anesthetic is injected.  After surgery, the tourniquet is removed -- and blood flow and feeling return.
• Nerve Block.  The anesthetic is injected in a cluster of nerves, numbing an entire limb.
• Epidural.  The anesthetic is injected into the space just outside the covering of the spinal cord.  This blocks nerve signals from the lower half of the body.  But, you may still be able to move.  An epidural is often used during childbirth.
• Spinal.  The anesthetic is injected into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord.  (The needle does not touch the cord.)  This may be used to numb one side of the body or the entire lower half.

General Anesthesia
This type of anesthesia is used for many types of surgery.  Here's what usually happens:

• You may be given medications to help you relax or sleep.
• Anesthetics will be administered by the anesthesia specialist, using one or both of these methods.
  
  *  Intravenous -- Anesthetic drugs are injected through a thin tube placed in a vein 
     in your arm or hand
  *  Inhalation -- You breathe an anesthetic gas through a face mask.  Once you're unconscious, the face mask may be replaced by an endotracheal tube.  The tube is gently inserted through your mouth into the windpipe.
  
• As anesthetics travel to your brain, you'll start to feel numb.  Sounds may seem louder.  You may feel dizzy and drowsy, but you'll lose consciousness quickly.
• Your body functions will slow down, including your breathing.  The anesthesia specialist:
  
  *  Will monitor your heartbeat and other vital signs
  *  May use a ventilator to help you breathe