There is nothing more depressing than dealing with chronic pain and having no support group. Emotional support from loved ones and friends goes a long way to relieve stress from people suffering from chronic pains. Pain can result from many causes like injuries during sporting activities, diseases like cancer, and pain after a surgical procedure. The management of pain depends on whether the pain is acute or chronic. To manage pain during a surgical procedure, anesthesia is mainly to numb the area of the body or make the patient unconscious. Hyattsville anesthesiology specializes in physical medicine, family medicines, rehabilitation, and pain medicines. In this article, we dig deeper to know more about anesthesia.
Table of Contents
The work of anesthesia and the types
Anesthesia blocks the sensory nerves from relaying that there is pain in the brain. Local anesthesia usage is when only a small area needs to be numbed, like during extraction of a tooth, cataract surgery, or skin biopsy. The patient is administered anesthesia for a more complex procedure that ultimately makes the whole body unconscious. The anesthesiologist manages pain before, during, and after the medical system. Regional anesthesia, which involves making a large part of the body unconscious and leaving the other conscious, may be done. An excellent example of regional anesthesia is childbirth through cesarean section, where only the lower part of the body gets numbed. Anesthesia may be delivered through an injection, inhaled gas, or applied as a spray.
The procedures before anesthesia administration
The anesthesiologist conducts several tests like blood pressure, checking on pulse and heart rate, and monitoring the blood oxygen level, among others, to help determine the patient’s overall health. Allergic reactions to different medicines are identified and managed. The physician also discusses post-surgical pain management with the patient.
Dos after getting anesthesia
One needs to have enough time to recover and regain strength fully. Rest is essential as it helps the body recover very fast. The patient should take the prescribed medicines and supplements even after discharge from the hospital. Driving and operating machines isn’t recommended as the patient may still be feeling dizzy. Alcohol consumption should abstain for the period stated by the physician.
Risks and side effects associated with anesthesia
Anesthesia has temporary side effects that go away on their own with time. The minor ones include; headache, fatigue, back pain, sore throat, itching, nausea and vomiting, chills, and feeling of pain and redness at the injection site. The primary reported complications are being unable to move or communicate, collapsing of the lungs, damaged nerves, fever and muscle contraction, and older people may experience long-term memory loss. These risks are infrequent and thus should not make one fear getting anesthesia.
Risk factors for receiving anesthesia
Certain factors predispose one to complications after receiving anesthesia like old age, smoking, being overweight, heart diseases, lung diseases, and being from a family with a history of malignant hyperthermia.
Different procedures manage most pains, and the earlier the diagnosis is made, the better. Over the many years, there has been great expertise in and technological advancements in pain management. Look no further than the choice pain & rehabilitation center for specialized and personalized care. Call to book an appointment with them.
