Each year, more than 26 million people in the United States undergo some form of medical treatment requiring anesthesia. In the hands of qualified professionals, anesthesia is a safe and effective means of alleviating pain during nearly every type of medical procedure.
Communication and cooperation between you and your anesthesia provider are essential to the anesthesia process and its safety. Before surgery, a preoperative interview with Anesthesia provides valuable information that helps determine your care.
Depending on the type of procedure and your health, you may be required to have an Anesthesia visit several days before your surgery.
Are there different types of Anesthesia?
There are three basic types of anesthesia: general anesthesia produces a loss of sensation throughout the entire body; regional anesthesia produces a loss of sensation to a specific region of the body; and local anesthesia produces a loss of sensation to a small, specific area of the body.
Some medications you may be given can remain in your body for 24 hours or more after they have been administered, and you won’t be “back to your old self” until the anesthetic has been totally eliminated. Of course, you should never hesitate to ask your anesthesia provider any questions you might have – before or after your anesthesia is administered.
Some of the medications you receive can have an amnesic effect. This means you may not remember speaking to your physician.
What determines which type of anesthesia is best for me?
The anesthesia chosen for you is based on factors such as your physical condition, the nature of the surgery and your reactions to medications. The preoperative interview with your anesthesia provider is key in the selection of the best anesthetic for you. In particular, you must speak freely and frankly and follow instructions closely regarding your intake of medications, food or beverages before your surgery.
Do different types of patients require different types of anesthesia?
Many factors go into determining the best anesthetic and administration technique for each person. Pregnant patients, children, older adults, and patients with hereditary disorders such as diabetes or sickle cell anemia all require special consideration. Even lifestyle choices, such as tobacco and alcohol use, can influence the anesthesia selection process.
Anesthesia for pain management.
The goal of interventional procedures is to provide pain management services for patients who suffer from acute and chronic pain issues. We work to identify the site of pain, decrease inflammation and provide pain relief to help patients improve the quality of their life. Pain that comes from injured or inflamed nerves can often be improved by injecting certain medications to the area of injury. These treatments also allow patients to work effectively with physical therapists and start personal exercise programs to regain strength and function with less pain.
