Question 1

What is Anaesthesia?

Accepted Answer

Anaesthesia is a way to make you feel no pain or sensation during a medical procedure. It can numb just a specific part of your body or the whole body. There are different types, like local anaesthesia where the numbing is applied to a specific area, and general anaesthesia where you're put in a deep sleep and feel no pain. Sedation is another option where you're in a relaxed state, aware of your surroundings but not feeling any pain. The goal is to keep you comfortable and pain-free during your procedure.

Question 2

Why do I need to be anaesthetised?

Accepted Answer

Anaesthesia is used during medical procedures to ensure your comfort and safety. Before the invention of anaesthesia, patients had to endure surgeries without any pain relief. Imagine having dental extractions, amputations, or caesarean sections without any numbing medication! Patients would have to rely on strong liquor for some relief and would bite on a piece of wood to cope with the pain. Additionally, there wasn't anyone specifically monitoring their well-being during the procedure, increasing the risk of complications and infections. The mortality rate for surgeries was very high. The development of modern anaesthesia techniques and evidence-based medical practice has revolutionized surgical care. Today, anaesthesiologists play a vital role in ensuring that surgeries are pain-free and as safe as possible. Thanks to anaesthesia, the operating room has become one of the safest places in the world with significantly lower mortality rates during surgery.

Question 3

What is the role of the anaesthetist/ anaesthesiologist?

Accepted Answer

The role of an anaesthetist, also known as an anaesthesiologist, is multifaceted and crucial in medical procedures. They play a vital role in facilitating surgical management, ensuring patient safety, and managing pain before, during, and after surgery. Anaesthetists are responsible for assessing patients pre-operatively, including risk stratification and optimizing the patient's condition for surgery. During the surgical procedure, anaesthetists take over control of vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and level of consciousness, while also monitoring other physiological parameters.

Question 4

Why do I need to have a drip, can't I just get gas?

Accepted Answer

When undergoing general anaesthesia, there are two ways to induce it: intravenously or inhalationally. Inhalational induction is typically reserved for children due to their smaller lungs and quicker absorption rate of the required gas concentrations compared to adults. However, inhalational induction is much slower than intravenous induction and can cause the patient to go through various stages of anaesthesia before becoming unconscious. In contrast, during intravenous induction, the patient goes straight from stage one (asleep) to unconsciousness without experiencing the initial stage of disinhibition and agitation.

Although some patients may prefer inhalational induction to avoid having an intravenous drip, intravenous induction is much safer and preferred for adults. For those with a genuine phobia of needles, there are solutions available to make the process more comfortable. Your doctor may provide an oral pre-med to make you drowsy before the induction and apply local anaesthesia to the drip site to numb the skin before insertion. To decrease the number of attempts required to insert the drip, a vein viewer might be used to identify veins beforehand.

In summary, while some patients may prefer inhalational induction over intravenous induction, the latter is much safer and preferred for adults. For those with a needle phobia, there are many options available to make the process more manageable and comfortable.

Question 5

What types of anaesthesia do anaesthesiologists use?

Accepted Answer

Anaesthesiologists use various types of anaesthesia, including general anaesthesia, regional anaesthesia (such as epidurals or nerve blocks), and local anaesthesia, tailored to the specific needs of each patient and procedure.

Question 6

Are there any medications or supplements that I should avoid before the procedure?

Accepted Answer

There are several medications and supplements that patients may need to avoid before undergoing anaesthesia. This is because certain medications can interact with anaesthesia, potentially leading to complications during the procedure. The list of these medications and supplements includes:
1. Blood thinners such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), and heparin
2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen
3. Vitamin E, garlic, and ginkgo biloba supplements
4. Certain herbal remedies such as St. John's wort and kava

These medications and supplements may lead to increased bleeding or other complications, particularly if given in combination with anaesthesia. It is essential to inform your anaesthesiologist about any prescription or over-the-counter medications, supplements, or herbal remedies you are taking before your procedure.

In general, the best way to ensure that you are adequately prepared for anaesthesia is to follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider. They may have specific guidelines for managing medications before your procedure. Please be sure to discuss any concerns or questions with your anaesthesiologist.

Question 7

What factors can affect the recovery time after anaesthesia?

Accepted Answer

Recovery time can vary depending on factors such as the patient's age, overall health, type of procedure, and the anaesthesia technique used. Dr. Mulai will discuss these factors and provide guidance on how patients can promote a smooth and speedy recovery, which may include following post-operative instructions and engaging in recommended rehabilitative activities.

Question 8

Can I eat or drink anything before undergoing anaesthesia?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, it is necessary to fast for a certain period before anaesthesia to minimize the risk of complications. Dr. Mulai will provide specific fasting instructions tailored to the patient and the procedure being performed. Following these guidelines is essential for patient safety during the procedure.

"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less."

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