If you or someone you know has ever had to undergo an operation, you may have felt a little scared and curious about "losing consciousness." "What will happen after I lose consciousness?", "Will I regain consciousness?", "What will happen if I regain consciousness during the operation?" Many questions like these come to mind. An anesthesiologist is the specialist who takes away all those fears and worries, protects you throughout your surgery, and is like the guardian of your life. Let's talk about these doctors today.
Who is this anesthesiologist?
Simply put, an anesthesiologist is a doctor who is specially trained to administer pain-relieving drugs (anesthesia) during surgery or other medical procedures. But their job doesn't end there. They also have a primary responsibility to monitor your body's functions and ensure your safety during and after surgery, until the effects of the anesthetic wear off.
Also, some anesthesiologists have received special training in managing chronic pain.
The important thing is that an anesthesiologist is not a nurse anesthetist or an anesthesiology assistant. An anesthesiologist is a doctor who has graduated from medical school and completed several years of specialized training.
What exactly does an anesthesiologist do?
Their role can be divided into several parts.
1. Preparing yourself before surgery
Once the decision has been made for you to have surgery, your surgeon will refer you to an anesthesiologist. There, he or she will review your complete health history .
- Other medical conditions you have (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma).
- The medications you take.
- Your allergies.
- Have you had surgery before and how did you respond to the anesthesia?
After considering all of this, he will decide which anesthesia method is the safest and most suitable for your body. He will explain it to you and answer any questions you may have.
2. Monitoring you during surgery
From the beginning of the operation to the end, while the surgeon in the operating room focuses on your operation, the anesthesiologist has your full attention. Like a pilot controlling an airplane, he continuously monitors every vital function of your body.
- Heart rate: Checks whether your heart is working properly.
- Breathing: Checks whether your lungs are getting the necessary amount of oxygen and whether your breathing is normal.
- Blood pressure: Blood pressure is regularly measured to see if it is increasing or decreasing.
- Body temperature: Controls body temperature.
- Bodily fluids: Saline is given to replace blood and other fluids lost during surgery.
If there is a slight change in any of these things, he can immediately control the situation by administering the necessary medication. He is also responsible for controlling the level of anesthesia needed to keep you pain-free throughout the surgery.
3. Ensuring your comfort after surgery
Their job doesn't end after the operation. After you are taken to the post-operative ward, you will be cared for until the effects of the anesthesia wear off and you regain consciousness. The anesthesiologist will also prescribe painkillers to control any pain you may experience after the operation.
What are the types of anesthesia? (Types of Anesthesia)
The anesthesiologist uses different types of anesthesia depending on the nature of your surgery and your health condition. Let's take a look at the main types.
| Type of anesthesia | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| General Anesthesia | This puts you completely asleep. You won't remember anything about the surgery. This method is used for major surgeries like heart surgery and brain surgery. |
| IV Sedation | This puts you into a light sleep and makes you feel relaxed. Sometimes you can even talk to the doctor. It is used for minor medical procedures like endoscopy. |
| Regional Anesthesia | This does not cause unconsciousness. It numbs a large part of the body, for example, below the waist . You are conscious. This method is most commonly used during a cesarean section (C-section) to deliver a baby. |
| Local Anesthesia | This involves injecting a very small area of skin to numb it . For example, it is used for something small like removing a mole from the skin. |
A special section called Pain Management
Some anesthesiologists specialize in another area in addition to surgery: Pain Management .
These specialists do,
- Acute pain: Controls severe pain that occurs after surgery or an accident.
- Chronic pain: Helps manage pain that lasts for months or years due to conditions such as arthritis, cancer, and back pain.
To do this, they prescribe medications, recommend physical therapy, and perform special treatments such as nerve blocks.
The journey to becoming an anesthesiologist
This is a very long and dedicated journey.
1. First, you need to complete a 4-year degree.
2. After that, you need to study for 5 years in medical school and get an MBBS degree.
3. Then you need to complete a one-year internship.
4. After that, you need to undergo 3-4 years of specialist residency training in anesthesia.
5. Some go even further and study other sub-specialties (fellowships) such as cardiac anesthesia and obstetric anesthesia.
Only after such extensive training does one become qualified to serve as an anesthesiologist.
Take-Home Message
- An anesthesiologist is not just someone who puts you out of consciousness. He or she is a highly trained specialist who protects your life during surgery.
- The anesthesiologist is responsible for your safety and comfort before, during, and after surgery.
- Before you have surgery, meet with the anesthesiologist and give them a complete history of your health. Don't be afraid to ask any questions you have.
- Some anesthesiologists also work as pain management specialists, managing long-term pain.
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