Many medical procedures require anesthesia. It is necessary in order to relieve pain, prevent shock. After all, the characteristic reaction of the body (increased heartbeat, high blood pressure, production of stress hormones) can significantly affect the patient's condition. Drug sleep is often used.
Varieties of anesthesia
There are two main methods of anesthesia. Local anesthesia is used to locally reduce pain. In this case, the person remains conscious. This type of anesthesia has the following varieties. Surface method - drugs are applied to the skin (or mucous membranes), where they are absorbed and begin to act. Very often this method is used by dentists. Freezing also falls into this category. Infiltration anesthesia is used for some surgical interventions, injuries. The substance is injected into the tissues. Regional anesthesia hasseveral subspecies: epidural, conduction, spinal. In this case, the drug is injected into an area that is very close to the nerve trunk or plexus. With the help of this method, the transmission of the pain impulse is blocked. If an operation is performed on the extremities, then intravascular anesthesia may be used. The anesthetic is injected into the vessels of the limb. General anesthesia slows down the activity of the central nervous system. Muscles relax, consciousness is disturbed. Can be done either by inhalation or intravenous injection.
What is drug sleep
Sedation is a promising alternative to deep anesthesia. It is very important that a person is conscious, his reflexes are preserved. For immersion in medical sleep, special sedatives are administered intravenously or into the muscle. They contribute to complete relaxation, sedation, and pain relief. This type of anesthesia is recommended for people with a low pain threshold, for nervous disorders, and for children. The procedure is performed by an anesthesiologist, who calculates the required dose of the drug. Also, the specialist helps the patient to get out of this state. It is characteristic that local anesthesia can be additionally used in the complex. The main advantages of falling asleep with the help of medications are as follows. The drugs that are used do not contain narcotic components and are not addictive. The respiratory center is not depressed. A person comes to consciousness quite quickly - in 5-10 minutes. Thus, ifmedical sleep is used, the consequences of a negative nature are practically absent.
Sedation levels
There are several degrees of immersion in sleep with the help of medications. The minimum level is characterized by the fact that the patient is awake, in contact with the doctor. In this case, intellectual abilities, coordination of movements are slightly disturbed. Moderate depth of sedation is a state in which a person responds to words, tactile stimulation. Deep medical sleep is characterized by the absence of contact between the patient and the doctor. Awakening is possible with rather painful stimulation. In some cases, breathing problems may occur, although hemodynamics remain stable.
What drugs are used for sedation
The ideal drug for drug sleep should have a certain set of qualities. First of all, speed. Also, such a substance should have a minimum of side effects, and consciousness should quickly recover after the cessation of its administration. Light sedation is carried out with the help of Midazolam. Deeper sleep occurs after the introduction of "Propofol". Sedation is also performed with the help of a substance such as nitrous oxide. This is a gas that is supplied through a special mask. Under its influence, relaxation of all muscles occurs, the patient calms down. In some cases, barbiturates are used, but they have a bad effect on the heart muscle. Constant monitoring of hemodynamics is required. As a result, their use is limited. Solutionsodium hydroxybutyrate is often recommended for use during childbirth.
Dental applications
One area where medical sleep is widely used is dentistry. Unlike general anesthesia, which may be necessary in certain situations, this type of anesthesia is safer and has several advantages. It is recommended in the presence of allergic reactions to local anesthesia, complex surgical intervention (with an abscess, damage to the jaw, periostitis, etc.). Many people experience a panic fear before visiting the dentist. Medical sleep is the only way to painlessly and less traumatically carry out all the necessary manipulations in the oral cavity. Also, this method of anesthesia is simply necessary for patients with epilepsy, schizophrenia and other disorders of the nervous system. It is also very important that all teeth can be cured in one visit to a specialist. Also, such anesthesia allows the doctor to work calmly (after all, the patient is sleeping). The method is so safe and easy that you can even recommend drug sleep to a child. This is especially true if the baby is hyperactive or simply afraid of doctors and their instruments.
Using medicated sleep during childbirth
It is worth noting that such anesthesia is not prescribed only at the request of the woman in labor. The obstetrician evaluates the situation as a whole and, in case of prolonged labor, may recommend the use of medical sleep. This measure is necessary if a woman experiences very severe pain that deprives her of strength. After all, if the pain exhausts the woman in labor, then the very process of the exit of the child can be disrupted. In this case, the baby will suffer. For a temporary restoration of strength, the patient is immersed in a light sleep. The drugs that are administered also have an anesthetic effect. It is worth noting that the pain does not go away completely. She only slightly dulled, the contractions continue. This manipulation is carried out in two stages. During the first, the body is prepared for the administration of anesthesia (premedication). Pain-relieving and relaxing agents are used. However, they can cross the placenta. As a result, a long sleep of the newborn can be observed. The second stage is the introduction of drugs for medical sleep directly. During childbirth, sodium hydroxybutyrate (its 20% solution) is often used. Such a substance is safe, low-toxic, does not cause breathing problems in a child. Many women in labor report relief during labor with the use of such anesthesia.
Anesthesia in intensive care
In severe traumatic brain injury and other similar conditions, drug sleep in intensive care can also be used. However, in this case it lasts several days (1-3 or more). Its undoubted plus with such an application is a decrease in high intracranial pressure, while the brain is resting. During sedation, specialists develop further treatment tactics. Also, this method is sometimes used if the patient's condition is severe, and specialists do not know how to treat it. However, like any anesthesia, this method hasits shortcomings and contraindications. Reviews say that long-term use of such drugs can have negative effects on the central nervous system.
Possible consequences of anesthesia
The introduction of any drugs into the body can cause allergic reactions. Although drug sleep reviews are positive, dizziness, nausea and vomiting can sometimes be observed. Contraindications to the use of this type of anesthesia can be chronic diseases, especially during their exacerbation. It is worth noting that often in a state of sleep, procedures such as gastroscopy, colonoscopy are also carried out. Many doctors recommend taking a general blood test, doing a cardiogram and fluorography before carrying out manipulations. Thus, they insure themselves against all kinds of risks, make sure that during the procedure there will be no problems with breathing, heart. If drug sleep was used, after surgery and other manipulations, the patient easily comes to his senses. And in order to minimize all the negative consequences, you must first inform the doctor about possible allergies, suspected pregnancy, and taking medications.
