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Home / Can You Control What You Say Under General Anesthesia

Can You Control What You Say Under General Anesthesia

Anesthesia is the administration of medication to allow medical procedures to be done without pain and, in some cases, without the patient being awake during the procedure. It's used in a wide range of procedures, from invasive surgeries like open-heart surgery to minor procedures including tooth extraction.

There are four types of anesthesia:

  • General
  • Regional
  • Local
  • Monitored anesthesia care (MAC)

Several different medical professionals are able to administer these for a variety of purposes.

The type of anesthesia used typically depends on the type of surgery, your state of health, the length of the procedure, and the preferences of your anesthesia provider and surgeon.

General Anesthesia

With general anesthesia, you're typically given a combination of medications through a mask or intravenous (IV) needle. This will render you temporarily unconscious.

General anesthesia also paralyzes your muscles, including those that make it possible to breathe. For this reason, you will require a ventilator to do the work of the diaphragm and other muscles that help make it possible to inhale and exhale.

Your anesthesia provider will continuously monitor your vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing, during your procedure.

When the surgery is done, other medications are used to reverse the effect of the anesthesia. You will also be monitored in this recovery phase.

This is the strongest type of anesthesia and is most commonly used for surgeries that would otherwise be unbearably painful, such as knee replacements and heart surgeries.

It may also be used in certain circumstances where a patient's cooperation during the procedure cannot be guaranteed, such as when a child needs a myringotomy (ear tubes).

Regional Anesthesia

Regional anesthesia is provided by injecting specific sites with a numbing medication. This may be done with a needle or via a flexible catheter line through which anesthetics and other medications can be administered as needed.

With this type of anesthesia, only the body part being operated on is numbed, which means you are awake—that is, sedated, but still conscious—during the procedure. The anesthetic works on the nerves, causing numbness below the injection site. You are monitored throughout your procedure.

Epidurals (spinal blocks), which is administered in your back, are an example of regional anesthesia. Medication is delivered to cerebrospinal fluid through a fine needle to the spinal sac. Epidurals provide continuous pain relief as long as medications are continuously running and there are no side effects.

Spinal blocks have different uses, including to block sensation in your arms and legs during surgeries on your limbs.

They are also commonly given during childbirth (if requested) to restrict pain medication to one area of the body in an effort to prevent the baby from being exposed to potential harmful sedatives.

Another example of regional anesthesia is a peripheral nerve block, which may be given in the shoulder/arm, back, or leg regions.

If you're having hand surgery, your anesthesia provider may use a peripheral nerve block to numb your entire arm and hand, or the numbness may be mostly limited to your hand.

Local Anesthesia

This type of anesthesia is typically used to numb a small site for minor procedures, such as filling a cavity or for a skin biopsy.

During the administration of local anesthesia, a numbing medication is either applied to the skin as a cream or spray, or injected into the area where the procedure will be performed.

If the medication is injected, several small injections are sometimes used. A few minutes after this is complete, the area should be completely numb. If the area still has sensation, additional injections or applications may be given to ensure total numbness.

Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC)

This is a type of sedation commonly referred to as "twilight sleep." It's usually used for outpatient procedures such as a colonoscopy or cataract surgery, and is administered through an IV to make you feel sleepy and relaxed.

While you may be heavily sedated, this type of anesthesia is different from general anesthesia because you are not chemically paralyzed, nor do you require assistance with breathing. Still, your vital signs are closely monitored to make sure you're stable throughout the procedure.

This type of anesthesia wears off in as little as 10 minutes. Depending on the medications used and the doses given, you may or may not remember the procedure.

Risks

Just as no surgery is risk-free, no type of anesthesia is 100% safe either. However, generally speaking, risks increase as the level of anesthesia increases.

The main side effects of MAC are:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Side effects of local anesthesia can include:

  • Soreness where the anesthetic was injected
  • Allergic reaction to the anesthetic

Regional anesthesia risks include:

  • Allergic reaction to the anesthesia used
  • Bleeding around the spinal column
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Drop in blood pressure
  • Infection in your spine
  • Nerve damage
  • Seizures
  • Severe headache

Some of these side effects, such as nerve damage and seizures, are rare, but always talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns.

General anesthesia can also involve minor side effects like nausea, vomiting, confusion, and sore throat, as well as the following rare, but serious risks:

  • Postoperative cognitive dysfunction: Often referred to as "brain fog," this can lead to long-term memory and learning problems.
  • Malignant hyperthermia: This is a serious reaction that can occur during surgery, causing a quick fever, muscle contractions, and even death. If you've ever experienced this condition during surgery or have ever had heatstroke, you're at a higher risk, so it's very important to tell your healthcare provider.
  • Breathing problems during or after surgery: The throat may close up during surgery, which can make it more difficult to regain consciousness and breathe normally after your procedure. This potential is of particular concern if you have obstructive sleep apnea.

Who Provides Anesthesia?

Several types of medical professionals are able to provide anesthesia, including:

  • Physicians (anesthesiologists)
  • Nurse anesthetists
  • Dentists/oral surgeons
  • Anesthesiologist assistants

The level of training varies between different types of providers, with anesthesiologists having the highest level.

Preparing for Anesthesia

Getting anesthesia may or may not be something that's a choice in your case, as some procedures simply cannot be done without it.

Whether you're preparing for a procedure with anesthesia or considering whether you should get it, speak with your healthcare provider to get answers to some key questions, including:

  • Should you eat or drink anything before the procedure?
  • How will you feel coming out of anesthesia?
  • How long might you need to stay at the hospital (if applicable)?
  • Should you plan for someone to take you home afterward?

Also be sure to completely answer any questions your provider has about your general health, allergies, medications, personal and family medical history, previous surgeries and reactions to anesthesia, and so on. That can help ensure certain risks are avoided or, if necessary and possible, another form of anesthesia is considered.

Can You Control What You Say Under General Anesthesia

Source: https://www.verywellhealth.com/anesthesia-and-surgery-3157215