Consequences of Excessive Anesthesia Dosage

Introduction

Anesthesia is required in every surgery. The fundamental purpose of anesthesia is to provide a lack of sensation over the targeted area during a surgical procedure. The doctors deliver the anesthesia to make a temporary loss of sensation. This topic explains what anesthesia means, its different types and methods with side effects, and what happens if too much anesthesia is delivered.

What Does Anesthesia Mean?

Anesthesia is a medicine to control the pain sensation during any surgical procedure. They block the nerve signals going to the brain. They act to cause loss of movement and sensation which can regain soon. It causes a temporary effect. There are different types of anesthesia present namely local, general, and regional anesthesia. These anesthetic medicines are delivered in various methods to patients who require them. Among these anesthetics, some drugs render the patient unconscious while others keep them awake during surgery, and some are gels or lotions that reduce localized pain.

Why Do Doctors Use Anesthesia?

Anesthesia is mainly used by doctors to control the pain in the area required for surgery by any means of injection, sprays, or gels so that surgery can continue further without causing pain to the patient. A doctor must provide an anesthetic while doing any surgery.

What Are the Indications of Anesthesia?

Indications of anesthesia are:

• In heavy surgeries like heart and brain.

• Major surgeries like cesarean sections, hip or knee replacements, or repairs.

• In minor procedures like radiographic or biopsies.

• In dermatology treatments.

• In dental procedures.

What Are the Different Anesthesia Used by the Doctors?

There are three different types of anesthesia that a doctor uses in surgery. They are:

• General Anesthesia - General anesthesia is the anesthesia causing a complete loss of consciousness and pain. When the patient is unconscious, a surgical procedure is performed on him. It is used in heavy surgeries like the head or heart.

• Regional Anesthesia - Regional anesthesia is the anesthesia that leads the patient conscious with loss of sensation in the larger body part that requires surgery, like lower limbs. They are used in major surgeries like cesarean sections to numb the legs, knee, or hip surgeries for repair or replacement.

• Local Anesthesia - Local anesthesia is anesthesia used to numb a small area of the body. It is mainly used in minor surgeries like dental procedures, biopsies, or eye surgeries. It is frequently used since it is safer than the other. After applying it, the patient stays awake, and only the area where the gel was placed becomes numb.

What Are the Different Methods to Deliver Anesthesia?

Different anesthesia uses different methods to deliver anesthesia. They are:

• Gas Masks - The method uses masks to inhale the volatile gases for the anesthetic effects. It is used for general anesthesia.

• Injection - Injection delivered into the veins is a common method used to deliver anesthesias. General, regional, and local can all be given by injection.

• Topical Application - Local anesthesia can be applied by sprays or lotions over the targeted small area. It penetrates the patient's skin to numb the nerves sending pain messages.

How Can Anesthesia Be Performed?

Anesthesia is performed by doctors mainly, anesthesiologists, a doctor who specializes in anesthesia. An anesthesiologist is required primarily in major surgeries like cesarean section or brain or heart. In addition, general and regional anesthesia needs an anesthesiologist to examine the patient's activity. But other doctors can also perform local anesthesia for minor dental or nerve block procedures. In addition, some topical or local anesthetic present in gels or lotions can be administered directly by the patient as they are easy to apply.

What Are the Side Effects of Using Anesthesia?

Side effects of using anesthesia are:

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Sore throat.

• Muscle aches.

• Itchiness.

• Shivering.

• Headaches.

• Difficulty in urination.

• Bleeding under the skin.

What Happens if the Patient Takes Too Much Anesthesia?

When the patient takes too much anesthesia, the toxicity of anesthesia occurs. Different anesthesia reacts a bit differently. Anesthesia with toxic effects is given below:

• General Anesthesia and Sedation - General anesthesia and sedation have similar toxic effects. General anesthesia works on the nervous system and leads the patient to sleep with loss of consciousness, memory, nerve reflexes, and muscle relaxation. Along with it, general anesthesia is sometimes delivered by inhaling volatile gasses. The overdose of anesthesia can cause effects such as:

• Prolonged unconsciousness.

• Confusion.

• Hallucinations.

• Seizures.

• Sore throat.

• Mental or physical impairments.

• Impaired nerve response.

• Dementia (memory disorder).

• Low body temperature.

• Respiratory distress.

• Brain injury.

• Death.

• Regional Anesthesia - Regional anesthesia is delivered by injections and does not cause unconsciousness during the surgical procedure. However, its prolonged effects can cause effects such as:

• Seizures.

• Respiratory arrest.

• Low blood pressure.

• Cardiac arrest.

• Death.

• Chills.

• Local Anesthesia - Local anesthesia can also cause toxic effects if more local anesthetics are used. The toxic effect of local anesthesia are:

• Metallic taste in the mouth.

• Dizziness.

• Ringing or buzzing noise in ears.

• Blurred vision.

• Muscle twitches.

• Restlessness.

• Seizures.

• Distorted smell perception.

Who Are at High Risk of Anesthesia Side Effects?

Anesthesia is risky to use in some patients as these patients can easily get affected. They are:

• Patients with a history of malignant hyperthermia (increased body temperature).

• Old age patients.

• Heart disease patients.

• Diabetic patients.

• Lung diseases.

• Patients with neurological disorders.

• The patient is a smoker.

• Patients with anesthetic allergy.

Is It Necessary to Have Anesthesia?

Yes, it is necessary before the surgical procedure. Anesthesia controls the pain that occurs during and after the surgical procedure. It depresses the nervous system's functioning and blocks the nerve signals traveling to the brain.

What Happens if Anesthesia Is Taken Too Little?

If anesthesia is delivered less to the patient, the patient may not get his nervous system depression, and the nerve signals will not be affected hence will cause pain while the surgery to the patient. So, it is essential to use an appropriate dose to block the nerve signals and not cause toxicity in the patient.

Conclusion

Anesthesia is essential during surgical procedures as it blocks the pain nerve signals from the targeted surgical site to the brain. There are four types of anesthesia namely general anesthesia, sedation, local, and regional anesthesia. In addition, there are different modes of anesthesia through which patients can get anesthesia: inhaling, injection, or topical usage. The use of anesthesia causes side effects, and the overuse of anesthesia can cause toxicity; both are mentioned in the article. So, having an appropriate amount of anesthesia for surgery is crucial.