Pain relief is a mandatory procedure for any surgical procedure. The science that deals with the reduction of suffering during surgical interventions is called anesthesiology. In addition to surgery, anesthesia is also used in other branches of medicine. For example, in dentistry, during some instrumental examinations (EGD, colonoscopy). Local anesthetics are used to numb the area. Many surgical interventions require not only a local effect, but also the introduction of the patient into drug-induced sleep. In another way, such anesthesia is called anesthesia.
Anesthetic - what is it?
In order to reduce pain as much as possible, anesthetics are used. Depending on the severity of the treatment procedure, it is selected which substance should be used. Currently, preference is given to local anesthetics. The only exceptions are those cases when the surgical intervention is too extensive and takes a lot of time. Anesthesia is also used during operations in children and in people with mental disorders. Regardless of whether it is usedgeneral or local anesthetic, both of these types are anesthetics. The scope of their application is quite extensive. An anesthetic is a substance that helps relieve or completely relieve pain. Mostly it is used for medical purposes. The main directions of its application:
- Surgery - all types of operations on internal organs.
- Dentistry - pain relief in the treatment and extraction of teeth.
- Traumatology - for fractures, dislocations, sprains of limbs.
- Pharmacology - adding painkillers to various preparations (gels for gums during teething, rectal suppositories against hemorrhoids).
- Visual diagnostics - local anesthetics during EGD, broncho- and colonoscopy.
Views
It should be remembered that an anesthetic is a drug necessary for pain relief. Depending on the chemical structure, these drugs are divided into fast- and short-acting, strong and weak, narcotic, etc. The classification is based on the nature of the effect on the human body. Based on this, painkillers are divided into local anesthetics and general - anesthesia. Each of these groups has its own characteristics. Anesthetics are also divided among themselves depending on the method of administration of the drug.
General anesthesia involves systemic anesthesia and the introduction of a person into drug-induced sleep. This type of anesthesia is used for massive and lengthy operations. Methods of administering drugs forgeneral anesthesia - parenteral and inhalation.
Local anesthesia means anesthesia of the part of the body on which the medical manipulation will be carried out. It is used for minor surgeries, dental treatment, and invasive examinations.
Varieties of local anesthetics
Various preparations are used for local anesthesia. According to their chemical structure, they are divided into 2 main groups - substituted amides and esters of aromatic acids. Representatives of these groups are known to almost everyone - this is lidocaine and novocaine. In addition to the chemical composition, local anesthesia is classified according to the method of administration. This separation is necessary in order to determine the depth and duration of the drug's action:
- Superficial anesthesia. This type of anesthesia is the simplest. This method allows you to reduce the sensitivity of the skin and mucous membranes. Mainly used for superficial wounds.
- Infiltration anesthesia. The method consists in the layer-by-layer introduction of an anesthetic. It is used to make a deep incision not only in superficial tissues, but also in deeper ones, such as subcutaneous fat and muscles.
- Conduction anesthesia. In turn, this type of pain relief is divided into epidural and spinal pain relief.
Mechanism of action of anesthetics
Anesthetic is a medicinewhich contributes to the temporary loss of sensitivity of a particular area or the organism as a whole. Each type of pain relief has its own mechanism of action:
- Terminal anesthesia is characterized by loss of sensitivity of superficial nerve endings located on the skin and mucous membranes. Medicines used for this type of pain relief are Benzocaine, Tetracaine (their prices fluctuate depending on the form of release).
- Infiltration anesthesia has a similar mechanism, the difference is that the active substance impregnates the tissues of the body throughout the depth of the incision. To do this, use "Novocain" (30 rubles - 200 ml).
- Conduction anesthesia is to suppress the sensitivity of the entire nerve fiber (below the anesthesia site). For this purpose, "Bupivacaine", "Articaine" (300 rubles - 10 ampoules of 2 ml) are used.
- For general anesthesia, inhalation anesthetics are used, which enter the body through the lungs. They bind to receptors and cause not only pain relief, but also a sedative effect (sleep).
Indications for the use of anesthetics
There are many indications for the use of anesthetics. The most common of these are:
- Operations of any complexity, regardless of location.
- Removal and treatment of teeth.
- Invasive examination methods.
- Some cosmetic procedures (removalpapillomas on the skin and mucous membranes).
Anesthetics are added to various medications (suppositories, ointments, lozenges, wipes). Soak condoms and other contraceptives with painkillers.
When are anesthetics contraindicated?
The main contraindication for the use of any type of painkillers are allergic reactions to the drug. It is especially dangerous to use anesthetics in people with a history of anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema. Relative contraindications are pregnancy and lactation. In this case, the manipulation is proposed to be postponed if it is not considered urgent (vital). For inhalation anesthetics, decompensated chronic diseases are a contraindication. This is especially true of cardiovascular pathologies and chronic renal failure. Children's age is considered a contraindication for local anesthesia during surgical operations. Also, local anesthesia is not recommended for people with mental illness. In these cases, general anesthesia is performed.
Side effects of anesthetics
Side effects of local anesthetics include allergic reactions in the form of anaphylactic shock, edema, urticaria, itching. Carrying out general anesthesia is dangerous by cardiac arrest or respiratory depression (with an overdose of the drug). Also, after inhalation and intravenous anesthesia, the patient may be disturbed by hallucinations,increased motor activity, general weakness. All these phenomena should not exceed 24 hours from the moment of anesthesia.
Why use anesthetic condoms?
Currently, there are many modifications of barrier contraceptives. One of them is condoms with anesthetic. They are used to lengthen sexual contact. The mechanism of action is to reduce the sensitivity of the glans penis. For this purpose, an anesthetic is added to the lubricant of the condom. The price of these contraceptives is slightly higher compared to regular condoms.
