What is Anesthesia? What are the Types of Anesthesia?

As a result of advances in the medical world, there have been great developments in the field of anesthesia. Anesthesia applications, which are applied at many points from major heart surgeries to various operations and aim to make the person experience a more comfortable process, mean the elimination of all sensations in a painless way. The method to be applied in anesthesia, which has many types, is determined according to the health condition of the person and the length of the procedure to be performed.

What is Anesthesia?

Anesthesia, which means loss of sensation, is the use of anesthetic drugs to prevent feeling pain during surgical operations such as tests or surgeries. In anesthesia, sensory signals from the nerves to the center of the brain are temporarily blocked by drugs.

The aim of anesthesia applications performed by an anesthesiologist is to numb the patient in certain areas during the operation, prevent him from feeling pain, cause him to fall asleep and ensure a more comfortable operation. There are many types of anesthesia, including general and local anesthesia. While local and regional anesthesia numbs certain parts of the body, in general anesthesia the patient is temporarily rendered unconscious.

Why is Anesthesia Performed?

Anesthesia is a medical practice performed to ensure that the patient undergoes surgery more comfortably and painlessly. Anesthesia drugs block sensory signals to the brain, thus causing loss of sensation. The resulting loss of sensation is also effective in preventing aches, pains and various negativities that may occur during surgery. In addition, anesthesia is of great importance for doctors to work comfortably.

What are the Types of Anesthesia?

From open heart surgeries to births; From various dental operations to different surgical procedures, 3 types of anesthesia are applied to ensure a more comfortable and healthy operating process. These methods are called general, local and regional anesthesia.

What is General Anesthesia?

General anesthesia is the process of anesthetizing the whole body in a controlled manner. With this process, there is a loss of sensation throughout the body. It is generally preferred in serious operations such as brain surgeries, heart surgeries and organ transplants.

What is Local Anesthesia?

Local anesthesia is defined as the process of numbing certain parts of the body. It is used in relatively simpler processes such as tooth extractions and skin operations. In this anesthesia application, the person is awake and follows the procedure carefully. The local anesthesia procedure usually numbs the patient within a few minutes.

What is Regional Anesthesia?

Regional anesthesia procedure; It is a type of anesthesia applied to the arms, legs or areas of the body below the waist. Although it is possible to be awake during the procedure, a sedating medication may also be given by the doctor. Regional anesthesia is generally preferred for childbirth or minor operations.

Among the types of regional anesthesia, the most commonly used anesthesia methods are epidural and spinal anesthesia.

What is Epidural Anesthesia?

Epidural anesthesia is a type of anesthesia that is generally used during birth and is performed to prevent the pregnant mother from feeling the pain she will experience. Epidural anesthesia, one of the most common types of pain relief, is performed through anesthetic drugs injected into the spinal cord and applied through the lumbar vertebrae in the lumbar region of the spine.

What is Spinal Anesthesia?

Spinal anesthesia, used especially in cesarean births, is performed by injecting medication below the waist area. Ensuring that expectant mothers do not feel pain and suffering is considered the highest priority. Apart from birth, it is also a preferred method for operations performed on the waist and below the waist area. 

sedation

Sedation is generally applied to relax and relax the patient. Sedation performed in simpler operations compared to general anesthesia and local anesthesia causes drowsiness during the operation, but the patient is in a position to communicate when necessary. In particular, it does not cause loss of consciousness as in general anesthesia. Usually intravenous sedation and painkillers are administered.

How is Anesthesia Performed?

Performing different types of anesthesia also involves some steps. First, a drug is administered intravenously and the patient loses consciousness. Then, an oxygen tube is placed in the patient's mouth. The gases in this tube ensure that the anesthesia process is applied and the patient remains anesthetized. In addition to how anesthesia is administered, the ways in which anesthesia is given are as follows:

• As spray, ointment or drops
• By injection into the vein
• Patient inhaling gas

Who Performs Anesthesia?

Anesthesia applications are performed by anesthesiologists. Anesthesiologists who apply local anesthesia for easier and regional procedures prefer general anesthesia for more serious operations. In addition to the anesthesiologist, specialist doctors, anesthesiologist assistants and nurses may also be present during the operation.

What Should Be Done Before Receiving Anesthesia?

Depending on the severity of the operation, there are some rules that must be followed before the anesthesia procedure. These can be listed as follows:

• You should be fasting before anesthesia.
• For heart and lung health, smoking should be stopped even the day before.
• If there is any herbal supplement taken, it should be discontinued before anesthesia.
• Nail polish should be removed and any make-up applied should be cleaned.
• If the anesthesiologist deems it appropriate, routine medications, if any, should be taken with a small amount of water.

What are Anesthesia Complications?

Complications, most of which are rare, may occur during and after anesthesia. These can be summarized as follows:

Anesthesia awareness

Some people experience anesthesia awareness, often for unknown reasons. Patients who are aware of their surroundings during anesthesia may not be able to move or communicate.

permanent nerve damage

Nerve damage, which is also related to the surgery itself, can sometimes occur due to the effect of anesthesia. The patient may not be able to move certain parts of his body. This condition usually passes within a few days or weeks.

lung collapse

Although rare, lung collapse may occur as a result of general anesthesia or the use of a breathing tube, but this problem is considered unlikely. Lung collapse, also known as atelectasis , is a condition in which all or part of the lung collapses and closes.

allergic reaction

Some patients may show an allergic reaction ( anaphylaxis ) to anesthetic drugs . However, this condition is rare and can be cured.

cardiac arrest

In rare cases, cardiac arrest may occur in the patient during some anesthesia procedures.

Delirium

Delirium may occur after surgery, especially in elderly patients. This may cause confusion and memory problems in the patient. Patients experiencing delirium may experience long-term memory and learning problems.

Who is at Risk for Anesthesia Complications?

Some people are more at risk for complications that may occur during or after anesthesia. These risk groups are as follows:

• elderly persons
• diabetic patients
• kidney patients
• People with anesthesia allergy in the family
• Heart and high blood pressure patients
• People with asthma
• Obesity
• Those with sleep apnea
• Smokers
• Alcohol and drug users

What are the Side Effects of Anesthesia?

Anesthesia procedures, such as general anesthesia, local anesthesia and epidural anesthesia, which are applied in various ways and are intended to make the patient have a more comfortable operation, have some possible side effects, most of which are temporary.

We have summarized these side effects for you:

• Headache
• Tiredness
• Muscle and back pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sore throat
• difficulty urinating
• heart palpitations
• dizziness
• Sore throat
• Hypotension
• mild hoarseness
• blurred vision

It is possible to experience symptoms other than these side effects due to the effect of anesthesia. Depending on the severity of the operation and the severity of side effects, the specialist physician may recommend various additional medications.

SOURCE:

https://www.memorial.com.tr/saglik-rehberi/anestezi-nedir

https://www.acibadem.com.tr/ilgi-alani/anestezi/

https://www.florence.com.tr/anestezi-turleri