Who Gives Anaesthesia? 

Experts in a special medical branch handle it. The type you get depends on what kind of surgery you're having and how healthy you are overall.

If your procedure is simple and needs only a small area to be numbed, the doctor doing it will give you a local anaesthetic. 

But for more serious or major procedures, an anesthesiologist takes charge. An anaesthesiologist is a doctor trained in managing perioperative care, pain control and critical care and takes charge of anaesthesia care. These specialists:

• Evaluate your health to decide if you're ready for surgery creating an anaesthetic plan that suits you
• Deliver the right kind of anaesthesia and ensure it works
• Keep a close watch on your vital signs and bodily functions during the surgery
• Handle any unexpected complications or side effects that might come up
• Supervise your recovery to ensure you wake and receive proper pain management after the surgery

How Should I Get Ready for Anaesthesia?

To get ready, give your doctor an up-to-date list of all your medications, vitamins or supplements. Some medicines can mix with anaesthesia or make complications more likely. You should also:

• Don’t eat or drink anything eight hours before going to the hospital unless told otherwise.
• Stop smoking even just for a day before the procedure. It can help your heart and lungs. To get the most benefit, quit smoking two weeks before your scheduled visit.
• Stop taking herbal supplements one to two weeks ahead of your procedure. Some of them can cause problems with anaesthesia or raise your bleeding risk.
• Do not use erectile dysfunction pills at least 24 hours before your surgery.
• Take medicines like those for high blood pressure or diabetes if your doctor says so, and use just a small sip of water to swallow them.

What Does Anaesthesia Involve?

An experienced anaesthesiologist ensures your comfort throughout the surgery. They handle important tasks like:

• Giving medicine to manage problems such as nausea, allergic reactions or vomiting that could occur during or after anaesthesia is given.
• Monitoring important things like how your heart is beating, your blood pressure, your oxygen levels, how you're breathing and your body temperature.
• They keep an eye on vital functions like heart rate, blood pressure, how much oxygen you have, how you're breathing, and your body temperature.
• They change anaesthetic levels depending on how your body responds and what the operation requires.
• They deal with issues like breathing problems, unusual heart rhythms, allergic responses or sudden bleeding.
• They work with the surgical team to plan timing and keep every part of the procedure running well.
• They monitor you as you wake up from anaesthesia. They also make sure your recovery feels smooth and without pain.
• They also create plans to control pain after surgery using medications, nerve blocks or other treatments if needed.
• Anaesthesiologists work in the background during surgery. They keep you safe, stable, and free from pain throughout the process.

What Side Effects Can Anaesthesia Cause?

Most people recover from anaesthesia without issues. Still, like any other medical procedure, it can come with side effects. These effects are minor and disappear after a few hours or by the next day.

Common Temporary Side Effects:

• Feeling sleepy or exhausted
• An upset stomach or throwing up
• A slight headache
• Soreness in muscles or back
• Skin feeling itchy or having a small rash
• A scratchy throat (if a breathing tube was used)
• Pain or swelling may occur where the shot was given. Bruising is also possible.
• You might have temporary trouble urinating.

Uncommon Risks:

• Confusion After Surgery (Delirium):

Older people might feel confused or out of sorts briefly after surgery. This often gets better in a few days.

• Strange Nerve Feelings:

Sometimes a nerve becomes irritated during regional anaesthesia. This might cause tingling or numbness in certain spots. These sensations typically go away in a few days. But in some cases, it might stick around for weeks.

Uncommon but Serious Problems:

• Waking Up During Anaesthesia:

In some uncommon cases, one out of 1,000 patients might become aware of their surroundings even though they are under general anaesthesia. Anaesthesiologists take careful steps during anaesthesia induction to prevent this from happening.

• Collapsed Lung (Atelectasis):

Inserting a breathing tube during surgery can cause the lung to collapse.

• Malignant Hyperthermia:

This is a rare genetic condition. It can trigger a severe response to certain anaesthetic medicines, causing a very high fever and stiff muscles. Always tell your doctor if you or someone in your family has faced anaesthesia-related issues before.

Tips to Stay Safe:

To ensure your anaesthesiologist makes the safest decisions, share clear details about your medical history, any medications you take, allergies, and past experiences with anaesthesia.

Who Faces Higher Risks with Anaesthesia?

Anaesthesia tends to be safe, but some individuals with certain health conditions or unique risks could experience more complications.

People at increased risk may include those who:

• Getting older – Recovery from surgery can take longer for older people, and they might feel confused afterwards.
• Having diabetes or kidney issues – These health problems might change how your body reacts to medications.
• Heart issues, high blood pressure, or a previous stroke – These conditions could affect how your blood flows and how your body handles anaesthesia.
• Lung problems such as asthma, bronchitis, or COPD - Lung issues can make it hard to breathe during anaesthesia
•  induction.
• Obesity (with a BMI over 30) - Obesity can create breathing challenges and make anaesthesia dosing harder to determine.
• Sleep apnoea - This condition involves snoring or pauses in breathing during sleep, needs careful monitoring when under anaesthesia.
• Neurological problems like seizures or epilepsy – Surgery needs extra care in these cases.
• Smoking – It raises the chances of heart and breathing issues with anaesthesia.
• If anyone in your family had trouble with anaesthesia - something uncommon like malignant hyperthermia – You should tell your doctor about it.