Question about anesthesia,,,,?

Question

do anesthetics have any affect on your nevres?? and why can't you breathe on your own when you're given general anesthesia?? I heard there's a way it's done for you but how??? And how does the anesthesiologist keep track of your homeostasis???

Answer 1

Anesthetics block certain nerve function. You can't breathe on your own because anesthetics block respiratory function and you are given a paralytic to stop your breathing and you are connected to a respirator - a machine that operates your lungs through air pressure.

The anesthesiologist has machines that monitor the condition of your blood, notably the amount of oxygen in it.

This is all of course, assuming general anesthesia. There is also local and spinal blocks, which just block sensation in certain areas.

Answer 2

Of course anesthetics affect your nerves.  That's how they work.  Local anesthetics block nerve function at the nerve itself.  Some of the drugs used in general anesthesia affect nerves as well.

Sometimes we have patients breathe spontaneously during general anesthesia, sometimes not.  It depends on the case and the patient.  General anesthesia depresses respiration, but many times, we have patients do their own breathing.  Some procedures require that patients be paralyzed for the surgeon to be able to do the surgery.  In those cases, we give drugs that block the signal between nerves and muscles.

When we take over breathing, we usually put a tube into the trachea and put the patient on a ventilator.

We keep track of homeostasis by monitoring a number of things, and adjusting our anesthetic to keep everything in balance.  Every patient has EKG, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation measured.  Those under general anesthesia have respiratory parameters and end tidal gases measured as well.  Sick patients, or those undergoing very extensive procedures may have arterial lines or central lines placed to get a better idea of hemodynamics during the case.  We also watch temperature and urine output in most cases.

Answer 3

Yes anesthesia affects your nerves, it contains chemicals that send signals to your brain making you unconscious.  You cannot breathe on your own, so they insert a tube into your lungs and use a ventilator to put air into you lungs and suck the carbon dioxide out.  The anesthesiologist monitors you heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse to determine if you are waking up and if you need more or less of the anesthesia.  It is mostly safe, as I have "gone under" several times for operations.  If you are worried or need other answers, look up an anesthesiologist on line and ask them.  I am sure they would be happy to help.