What is anesthesia?Anesthesia is the use of medications and close monitoring to provide comfort and maintain vital life functions during surgery or other medical procedures. Medication use and close monitoring assist in controlling breathing, blood pressure, h

Planning for anesthesia:What do I need to know about anesthesia?Who will be caring for me when I receive anesthesia?What factors affect the choice of anesthesia?Types of anesthesia:What are the major types of anesthesia?What kinds of medications are used for a

Being well - prepared for anesthesia may help you remain calm and relaxed. If you take the time to learn about your procedure and the anesthesia, you will be better able to understand the information and instructions you are given. Knowing what to expect can h

Anesthesia involves the use of medications to block pain sensations (analgesia) during surgery and other medical procedures. Anesthesia also reduces many of your bodys normal stress reactions to surgery. The type of anesthesia used for your surgery depends on:

You usually will be given anesthesia by an anesthesia specialist. Final preparations before your surgery may include:Attaching monitoring instruments to check your breathing, oxygen level, heart rate, blood pressure, and other body functions.Positioning your b

Although all types of anesthesia involve some risk, major side effects and complications from anesthesia are uncommon. Your specific risks depend on your health, the type of anesthesia used, and your response to anesthesia.Personal risk factorsYour age may be

Recovery from anesthesia occurs as the effects of the anesthetic medications wear off and your body functions begin to return. Immediately after surgery, you will be taken to a post - anesthesia care unit (PACU), often called the recovery room, where nurses wi

OrganizationsAmerican Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)520 N. Northwest HighwayPark Ridge, IL 60068 - 2573Phone: (847) 825 - 5586Fax: (847) 825 - 1692E - mail: mail@asahq.orgWeb Address: http://www.asahq.org/ The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is

CitationsAmerican Society of Anesthesiologists (2004). Patient education. Available online: http://www.asahq.org/patientEducation.htm.Other Works ConsultedMiller RD, et al. (2005). Anesthesia, 6th ed. San Francisco: Churchill Livingstone. ...

AuthorRalph PooreEditorSusan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBAAssociate EditorTracy LandauerAssociate EditorPat TrumanPrimary Medical ReviewerAdam Husney, MD - Family MedicineSpecialist Medical ReviewerJohn M. Freedman, MD - AnesthesiologyLast UpdatedMarch 21, 2006 .