About Us
APSA (Anaesthesia Patient Safety Association) is committed to advancing patient safety standards in anaesthesia practice across India.
Know more
Patient Education: Understanding Anesthesia
It is natural to feel anxious when you or your loved one needs surgery. Not knowing what will happen with anaesthesia is a big part of this worry. This guide provides valuable information to help you understand anesthesia better.
What is meant by Anesthesia?
Anesthesia refers to a specialized medical treatment that makes surgery or medical procedures more comfortable and safe. It mainly works by preventing pain, and in some cases, it makes you sleep during the operation. An anaesthesiologist is a doctor with expertise in anesthesia and critical care, carefully choosing the right type of anesthesia for you.
Types of Anesthesia
General
Keeps you fully asleep and unaware during surgery. Machines help you breathe while being closely monitored.
Regional
Numbs only a part of your body. You may stay awake but won’t feel pain (e.g. spinal or epidural).
Local
Numbs a small area of the body (e.g. stitching a cut or removing a tooth).
Sedation
Medicines make you relaxed and drowsy. You’re not fully asleep and may not remember much of the procedure.
Role of Anaesthesiologists in Keeping You Safe
- ✔ Checking your health before surgery begins
- ✔ Selecting the safest type of anesthesia for you
- ✔ Monitoring breathing, heart rate, oxygen, and blood pressure during the procedure
- ✔ Managing pain and recovery after surgery
Anaesthesiologists are considered your safety partners as long as you are in the operating room.
Popular Myths about Anesthesia
Empowering patients with knowledge for a safer healthcare journey.