A Doctor in the house?

Question

Hey Docs, I wanna know how anesthesia works? Does it make one sleep deeper than we normally do? It seems like a different type of sleep, one minute you're there, the next you're in recovery. Or does it just seem that way because waking up in a different place is disorienting? And because we are asleep for a shorter time. But how can you do something to a body under anesthesia, that would kill it while awake?

Answer 1

There are a variety of anaesthetic agents. Some paralyze the muscles, so you can relax the abdominal wall. Some shut down the brain -- the brain can go longer without oxygen with some agents. Some produce sleep. Some reduce pain. Combinations of agents are commonly used.

Answer 2

<>The idea behind general anasthesia is to produce a deep, controllable, totally relaxing state of unconsciousness so that the patient feels nothing and reacts to nothing during surgery. Other anasthesia types are local, where drugs are used to numb a particular small spot that is being worked on, and neural (spinal and epidural) anasthesia where the body is numbed but awake during surgery. This is useful where a major operation is taking place, but the patient needs to be awake to give input and/or feedback to the surgeon.

Answer 3

Anesthesia basically messes with the chemicals in the brain to produce a short temporary coma like state where there is no pain or concious thought.

Answer 4

Good grief, that is so simple, they put you to sleep, What, You want to be awake?? I don't!