General anesthesia
Definition
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General anesthesia is medicine that puts you into a deep sleep so you do not feel pain during surgery. When you receive this medicine, you will not be aware of what is happening around you.
Description
You will receive general anesthesia in a hospital or outpatient office. Most times, a doctor called an anesthesiologist will put you to sleep. Sometimes, a certified registered nurse anesthetist will take care of you.
The doctor will give you medication into your vein. You may be asked to inhale (breathe in) a special gas through a mask. Once you are asleep, the doctor may insert a tube into your trachea (windpipe) to help you breathe and protect your lungs.
You will be watched very closely while you are asleep. Your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing will be monitored. The doctor or nurse taking care of you can change how deeply asleep you are during the surgery.
You will not move, feel any pain, or have any memories of the procedure because of this medicine.
Risks
General anesthesia is usually safe for healthy people. People with heart, lung, or kidney problems, smokers, people who abuse alcohol or medications, and those with allergies or a family history of being allergic to medicine may have a higher risk of having problems with general anesthesia.
Ask your doctor about these complications:
- Mental confusion (temporary)
- Lung infection
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Harm to your vocal cords
- Waking during anesthesia (rare)
- Death (rare)
Reviewed By: Billy K Huh, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, Division of Pain Management, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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