How do surgeons put you to sleep?

When it comes to surgery, one of the most important considerations is anesthesia. After all, nobody wants to feel every incision and stitch as their surgeon pokes around inside them. But how do surgeons actually put you to sleep? In this article we’ll explore the various methods used by anesthesiologists, from IV drugs to gas-induced unconsciousness. So sit back, relax, and let’s dive in!

Meet Your Anesthesiologist

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how they knock you out before a procedure, let’s talk about who exactly will be handling that responsibility. Enter: your friendly neighborhood anesthesiologist.

An anesthesiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in administering anesthesia for surgical procedures or pain management purposes. They’re responsible for selecting the appropriate type and dosage of anesthesia based on your unique physiology and medical history. Think of them like chemists with MDs — but instead of filling test tubes with colorful liquids, they’re using drugs to make sure you don’t feel a thing.

Step One: Pre-Op Assessment

Before any surgery can take place, you’ll meet with your anesthesiologist for what’s called a pre-operative assessment. During this meeting, they’ll review your medical history (including allergies or past reactions to anesthesia), conduct physical exams such as taking vital signs (think pulse rate, blood pressure, etc.), order any necessary blood work or tests such as EKGs, verify fasting times (more on that later!), assess lung function via spirometry testing, determine potential risk factors associated with certain types of anesthesia/breathing assistance devices depending on age/gender/weight/smoking habits/disease processes/history/etc., counsel patients regarding risks/benefits/side-effects/complications/regional analgesia options/sedation plans/location/procedure techniques/pre-op medications/IVs/maintenance anesthetic goals.

Naturally, it’s important that your pre-op assessment is thorough and accurate so that the anesthesia you receive is tailored to your specific needs. After all, you don’t want a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to unconsciousness!

Step Two: Fasting

This may come as a bit of a surprise, but fasting is actually very important ahead of surgery. This has nothing to do with fitting into those stylish hospital gowns — instead, it’s because of what happens if you don’t fast before going under anesthesia.

When we eat or drink (especially large meals), our stomachs create digestive juices in order to break down food. However, being under anesthesia stifles many normal bodily functions — including gag reflexes and coughing mechanisms. If these reflexes are suppressed and you’ve recently had food or drinks (read: acidic stomach contents!), then regurgitation can occur which can lead to aspiration pneumonia, which no one wants—including then-irritated clinicians!

To prevent this from happening during surgery, patients are often instructed not eat or drink anything for at least 12 hours prior. In some cases where liquids might be retained closer until procedure time—as in medications taken with just sips of water—the anesthesiologist will take extra precautions by using special anti-acidic agents IV’ed directly into the bloodstream ahead of surgery . It may feel like torture wanting your morning coffee without creamer –but trust us—skipping breakfast on surgical day could mean avoiding complications like prolongationofthehospital stay !

Step Three: Inducing Anesthesia

Once everything has been checked off the prep list -including nervous feelings-, also known as “induction,” occurs . Depending on various factors such as physical condition age , history etc., different drugs achieve induction eventually placing patients intounconsciousness. Here are some of the most commonly used types:

IV anesthesia

  • This refers to drugs that enter your bloodstream via an IV catheter.
  • In general, they work pretty quickly — think within seconds to minutes—bringing about unconsciousness.

Commonly Used Drugs:
Ultrashort-acting like propofol which provide immediate but transient loss of consciousness.
Benzodiazepines such as midazolam , also reverse anxiety and amnesia
Etomidate is another option for those with history severe refractory epilepsy who might not tolerate other agents

Inhalation anesthesia

This method involves breathing in gases that suppress brain function (making us “knocked out”) –just like how you’re supposed to take five deep breaths by inhaling sevoflurane gas through a cute face mask!. It can take longer than IV methods to induce unconsciousness, so this approach tendsto be preferred for long surgeries or when access control overdoses necessary.

Commonly Used Gases:
Nitrous oxide, A.K.A “laughing_gas”/ Recreational drug/30 percent oxygen makes sure patients remain alive while feeling the effects of induced euphoria
Sevoflurane
A.K.A qsmartsophisticated agent” among prone staff members has minimal pungency meaning little chance at nose irritation which tends it more popularchoice for pediatrics ,
Desflurane: provides faster induction with less hepatic microsomal metabolism necessary so we’d see quicker recovery afterward

Regardless of whether IV or inhalation anesthesia is being used, once you’re officially knocked out, there’s no turning back -so don’t try reenacting scenes from Hollywood films!!-. Now comes the hard part: staying under during surgery without experiencing pain!.

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