anesthesiology - MD (Anesthesia)

The branch of medicine that is focused on the relief of pain in the perioperative period (i.e. before, during or after a surgical procedure) is known as anesthesiology. The medicaments administered are termed anesthesia and the doctor who is trained in this specialty is referred to as an anesthesiologist.

Monitor and control the patient's vital life functions, including heart rate and rhythm, breathing, blood pressure, body temperature and body fluid balance. Control the patient's pain and level of consciousness to make conditions ideal for a safe and successful surgery.

There are three types of anesthesia: general, regional, and local. Sometimes, a patient gets more than one type of anesthesia. The type(s) of anesthesia used depends on the surgery or procedure being done and the age and medical conditions of the patient.

Overdose: This stage occurs when too much anesthetic agent is given relative to the amount of surgical stimulation, which results in worsening of an already severe brain or medullary depression. This stage begins with respiratory cessation and ends with potential death.

An anesthesiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in administering anesthesia, the medical treatment that keeps you from feeling pain during procedures or surgery. Anesthesiologists take care of you before, during and after your surgery.

What does an anesthesiologist do?

Similar to your primary care doctor, your physician anesthesiologist manages all aspects of your medical care (blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and heart conditions), while administering an anesthetic that makes you or part of your body unaware of pain from the procedure being performed.

Anesthesiologists help to ensure your safety when you’re undergoing surgery or an invasive procedure, making sure your body parts are well padded and protected from injury while you’re unaware of your surroundings.

Anesthesiologists have important responsibilities before, during and after a surgery or procedure.

• Before surgery: 

Your anesthesiologist is responsible for assessing your health and test results, your fitness for the planned surgery and determining the safest anesthesia plan for you.

• During surgery: 

Your anesthesiologist monitors your vital signs during surgery, manages your medical conditions, and administers fluids, blood products and medications to support your bodily functions, such as the function of your heart, lungs and kidneys. They may work alone or with an anesthesia care team that may consist of nurse anesthetists or physician anesthesiologists in training.

• After surgery:

 Your anesthesiologist is responsible for your wellbeing after surgery while you’re recovering from the effects of anesthesia. They’re typically the healthcare provider who decides when you have recovered from the effects of anesthesia and are ready to go home or go to another room in the hospital.

Anesthesiologists also have an important role in taking care of people who are having minor surgery or who may not need to be unconscious with a general anesthesia, such as people in labor ready to deliver a baby.

They care for people after major surgery in the intensive care unit. They also help people who have serious pain from an injury or chronic pain, such as ongoing back pain, within a pain management team in the hospital or in an office setting.

Most surgeries and procedures generally require some type of anesthesia and the expertise of an anesthesiologist. The following are the types of anesthesia used by an anesthesiologist:

• General anesthesia.
• Sedation.
• Regional anesthesia.

If you need a local anesthetic for a minor procedure, the healthcare provider performing the procedure will often give it to you.

Common surgeries that require general anesthesia (being unconscious) include:

• Head or back surgery.
• Heart surgery.
• Lung surgery.
• Surgical procedures in your abdomen.

Common procedures that typically require regional anesthesia with a spinal, epidural or regional anesthesia block  include:

• Hip or knee surgery.
• Hand or foot surgery.

Common procedures that typically require IV (intravenous) sedation (medication to make you feel relaxed with varying levels of consciousness) include the following, which may or may not involve a local anesthetic (numbing of the area):

• Bronchoscopy.
• Colonoscopy.
• Cystoscopy.
• Dental surgery.
• Minor bone fracture repair.
• Minor skin surgery.
• Plastic or reconstructive surgery.
• Upper endoscopy.

Anesthesiologists also perform epidurals to manage the pain of childbirth for vaginal delivery and provide anesthesia for a cesarean birth (C-section).

What are some subspecialties of anesthesiology?

Some subspecialties of anesthesiology include:

1. Pain management.
2. Cardiac anesthesia.
3. Pediatric anesthesia.
4. Neuro-anesthesia.
5. Obstetric anesthesia.
6. Critical (intensive) care.
7. Regional anesthesia / acute pain management.
8. Hospice and palliative care.