What is anaesthesia?
Anaesthesia: A Crucial Component of Modern Medicine
The primary purposes of anaesthesia are threefold: pain relief, paralysis of muscles, and induction of a state of oblivion or unconsciousness. By achieving these objectives, anaesthesia enables medical professionals to perform intricate surgeries, invasive procedures, and diagnostic tests, which would otherwise be excruciatingly painful or impossible to endure. There are several types of anaesthesia available, and the choice depends on the specific medical procedure, the patient's medical condition, and their preferences:
General anaesthesia is the most commonly known and utilised form. It involves the administration of drugs that induce a reversible state of unconsciousness. During general anaesthesia, patients lose consciousness, perception of pain, and reflex response. This enables surgeons to perform complex surgeries with utmost precision and without causing discomfort to patients.
Sedation also known as monitored anaesthesia care, conscious sedation, or twilight sedation, typically is used for minor surgeries or for shorter, less complex procedures, when an injection of local anaesthesia alone is not sufficient but deeper general anesthesia is not necessary.
Regional anaesthesia, on the other hand, focuses on numbing a specific region or part of the body. This selective approach provides pain relief and temporary loss of sensation in a targeted area. Techniques such as spinal or epidural anaesthesia are commonly used during childbirth, orthopedic surgeries, and pain management for certain chronic conditions.
Local anaesthesia is utilized to desensitize a small or localized area of the body, typically used for minor procedures or in combination with other forms of anaesthesia. It involves the injection or topical application of anaesthetic drugs in the vicinity of the surgical site, providing pain relief without compromising the patient's consciousness.
The administration of anaesthesia is a complex process that requires significant expertise and a thorough understanding of a patient's medical history. The responsibilities of an anaesthetist extend beyond the induction of anaesthesia. They closely monitor vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels, to ensure patients remain stable throughout the procedure. They are also trained to manage any potential complications or adverse reactions that may arise during the administration of anaesthesia.
A specialist Anaesthetist is a doctor that has obtained a basic medical degree of at least five years and has undergone a further five years or more of specialist training.
Dr Gloria Seah is a Fellow of the Australian College of Anaesthetists (FANZCA). Click here to discover the difference being cared for a Specialist Anaesthetist, FANZCA when your surgical procedure requires you to be under an anaesthetic.