Anesthesia is a Greek word that Wikipedia describes as a state of controlled, temporary loss of sensation or awareness that is induced for medical purposes. It may include some or all of analgesia (relief from or prevention of pain), paralysis (muscle relaxation), amnesia (loss of memory), and unconsciousness. It enables a patient to go through a painless medical surgery.
There are three main categories of anesthesia:
General anesthesia
This involves the admission of drugs through either a mask or IV and renders temporary unconsciousness which paralyzes muscles. For obvious reasons of not being able to breath as a result of a failed diaphragm brought about by the paralyzed muscles a patient requires ventilators for easy breathing.
This also happens to be the strongest anesthesia and is mostly used for excruciating surgeries or in cases where the patient corporation is not guaranteed.
Regional Anesthesia
This involves the injection of a numbing medication into the patients’ system, can either be administered using a catheter line or needle. Regional anesthesia operates on the nerves therefore, only applies numbness within the area being operated. This helps keep the patient conscious throughout the surgery process.
Epidurals or Spinal block as its commonly known is an example of regional anesthesia. In spinal block the injection is administered to the spine at the back of the patient using a fine needle. It is used to either help block sensation in your legs and arms or used during childbirth. The other example of a regional anesthesia is a Peripheral nerve block which is mainly administered during hand or leg surgeries.
Local Anesthesia
This is used on minor procedures, can either be applied on the skin, sprayed or injected in the very area awaiting operation. It can at times be applied severally before complete numbness but nonetheless still very effective.
Like any other surgery, it is not safe either and comes with its own share of risks and side effects. However, research has it that the level of risk increases, depending on the type of anesthesia administered. Asides Nausea and vomiting which happen to be the main side effects of anesthesia there is more to this such as:
- Difficulty in passing of urine
- Nerve sensitivity damage
- Allergic reaction of the induced medication
- Soreness in the injected area
- Unnecessary bleeding within the spine area
- Rapid low blood pressure
- Severe headache
Most of these side effects are rare hence not all are expected to happen to every patients but it’s advisable to discuss this with your doctor in prior for early preparations. Depending on which anesthesia is administered in you, a patient can equally suffer minor or major risks like:
- Developing postoperative cognitive dysfunction, which is mainly a decline in cognitive function.
- Suffering malignant hyperthermia where Hyperthermia answers to high blood temperature. This basically increases the rise of your body temperature with severe contractions.
- Developing breathing issues as a result of closed up throat.
For women who have gone through Cesarean Delivery (CS), anesthesia is not a new term as they have had it administered to them and are in cognizant of its pros and cons. In its element, you would ask what the relation between it and postpartum depression is.
Postpartum depression is a mental derail experienced by mothers post-delivery. It’s brought about by a jumble of emotions, from fear and excitement to anxiety and joy.
According to research done by Colombia University, women who go through general anesthesia during child birth have high chances of suffering postpartum depression. It further states that general anesthesia is associated with 54% increased odds of postpartum depression and has a 91% risk of suicidal attempt.
Unknown to many, general anesthesia delays the interaction of skin to skin initiation between a mother and child. This causes acute pain during breastfeeding hence dissatisfaction and irritation on the mother. As much as general anesthesia hastens emergency deliveries it also has known evidence of serious aftermath consequences.
In response, postpartum depression is not necessarily caused by anesthesia but that doesn’t wipe out the major role it plays. Mothers are therefore advised to discuss their anesthesia options with their doctors before delivery date.