When facing an operation or surgery, the biggest fear that many people have is "losing consciousness." When you hear the word "anesthesia," some people get a little shudder. But anesthesia is actually an extremely important and safe discovery in medical science. It is this anesthesia that helps you to perform the surgery safely without feeling any pain. So today, let's talk about this in a simple way that will eliminate all your questions and fears.
Simply put, what is anesthesia?
Anesthesia refers to the types of drugs that are given to prevent you from feeling pain during surgery or other medical procedures. We call these drugs anesthetics.
Imagine that when you feel pain somewhere in your body, the nerves in that area send a signal to your brain saying, "This hurts." What anesthetics do is temporarily stop that signal from going to your brain. It's like 'switching off' that 'connection' for a while. That's why you don't feel the pain.
Some anesthesia methods numb only a small part of your body. Others put you completely to sleep. It depends on the type of surgery you are having.
What are the main types of anesthesia?
Doctors use different types of anesthesia depending on the surgery you're having. Let's take a look at the main types.
| Type of anesthesia | What does it do and when to use it? |
|---|---|
| Local Anesthesia | This numbs only a very small area of the body. You are fully awake. For example, this method is used for things like removing a small skin tumor, extracting a tooth, and cataract surgery. |
| Sedation | This will put you into a light sleep. But you won't lose consciousness completely. You can be woken up and talked to if necessary. Most of the time, you won't remember it after the surgery. This method is used when wisdom teeth are removed and during some colonoscopy procedures. |
| Regional Anesthesia | This numbs a large area of the body, for example an arm, a leg, or the entire lower chest. Examples of this include an epidural to reduce pain during childbirth and an arm block to numb only the arm for arm surgery. |
| General Anesthesia | This puts you into a completely unconscious, deep sleep. You won't feel any pain or anything. This method is used for large, complex surgeries on the head, chest, or abdomen. |
Who provides anesthesia?
If you are going to have something simple that numbs a small area, the doctor who is performing the surgery will usually give you the local anesthetic.
But for large, complex surgeries, there is a doctor who is specially trained for this. We call him a Physician Anesthesiologist . He is the one who controls your pain before, during, and after surgery, prescribes the anesthesia you need, and is completely responsible for your safety. This anesthesia team may include other people.
- Doctors in training.
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
The most important thing is that this team is very vigilant about your safety throughout.
How should you prepare before anesthesia?
Your cooperation is essential to ensure the anesthesia is administered safely. It is very important that you follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
- Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking: Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies (Ayurvedic, Sinhala medicine) you are taking. Some medications can interact with anesthesia.
- Fasting: Unless otherwise instructed, do not eat or drink for 8 hours before going to the hospital. This is very important.
- Smoking: If possible, quit smoking two weeks before surgery. If not, at least one day before surgery. It's very good for your heart and lungs.
- Herbal medicines: As directed by your doctor, stop taking these a week or two before surgery.
- Other medications: Medications like Viagra® should be stopped 24 hours before surgery. Your doctor may tell you to take some blood pressure medications with a sip of water. Follow his instructions exactly.
What should you do after anesthesia?
If you only received local anesthesia, you can resume your normal activities unless the doctor says no.
But if you were given general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, or sedation, it will take a while to recover.
- Definitely go home in a car with someone else . Don't go alone.
- Rest well for the rest of the day.
- Do not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours.
- Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours.
- Only take medications approved by your doctor.
- Don't make any important or legal decisions for 24 hours.
Don't worry - these are just normal side effects!
Most side effects are temporary and go away within 24 hours, sometimes sooner.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle pain or back pain
- Feeling cold and shivering (Hypothermia)
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Itching
- Difficulty urinating
- Soreness, redness, or bruising at the injection site
- Sore throat (if a breathing tube is inserted)
Rare but important risks to be aware of
Anesthesia is a very safe procedure these days. However, like any medical procedure, there are some very small risks. These are very rare, but it's good to be aware of them.
- Anesthetic Awareness: Very rarely, about one in 1,000 people, people under general anesthesia may become somewhat aware of their surroundings. However, they are unable to speak or move their bodies at that time.
- Collapsed Lung - Atelectasis: A very rare condition that can occur during surgeries performed under general anesthesia.
- Malignant Hyperthermia: This is a very rare genetic condition. People with this condition may have a severe reaction (fever, muscle stiffness) to some anesthetic drugs. If anyone in your family has a history of this, be sure to tell your anesthesiologist.
- Nerve damage: Very rarely, nerves can be damaged, causing temporary or permanent numbness and pain.
- Postoperative Delirium: This condition is more common in older people. It occurs for about a week after surgery.
If you have these symptoms, see a doctor immediately!
If you have any of the following symptoms after receiving anesthesia, call your doctor immediately. If you have difficulty breathing , go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive itching, rash, or swelling
- Numbness or tingling anywhere in the body
- Stumbling while speaking
- Difficulty swallowing (Dysphagia)
Take-Home Message
- Anesthesia is a very safe and painless procedure that is essential in today's world. So don't be unnecessarily afraid of it.
- Tell your doctor the truth about your health condition and the medications you take, without hiding anything . It is very important for your safety.
- Follow your doctor's instructions carefully before and after surgery, especially regarding fasting and avoiding driving.
- If you have any questions or concerns about anesthesia, don't be afraid to ask your anesthesiologist or surgeon. It is your right to have all your doubts cleared.
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