Understanding Anesthesia: What You Need to Know about Sedation and Pain Control (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book)

Most people choose their surgeon with care, but very few think about the anesthesiologist, even though that specialist's skills and approach can significantly influence the success of surgery. Here Dr. Steven L. Orebaugh recommends steps we all can take to secure safe and effective anesthesia. What type of anesthesia is used—and how it is applied—directly affects postoperative comfort as well as mental clarity and rehabilitation. This book describes the various options for anesthesia, how they can be used together for the best possible surgical outcome and optimal pain management, and their associated complications and risks. Dr. Orebaugh focuses especially on the benefits of regional anesthesia. When appropriately applied—whether alone or with other methods—spinal and peripheral nerve blocks often lead to better recovery and reduced pain. With as many as half of all surgical patients experiencing poorly controlled postoperative pain, regional anesthetic nerve blocks can help significantly in managing this pain while reducing the side effects of general anesthetics and pain medications. A better understanding of anesthesia will reassure people contemplating surgery and equip them to take the necessary steps toward healthy recovery. Knowing their options, they can have informed conversations with their doctor and indicate a preference for a specific anesthetic treatment. Written by a compassionate and experienced anesthesiologist and backed by scientifically accurate information and the latest research, this book will help patients do just that. Most People Choose Their Surgeon With Care, But Very Few Think About The Anesthesiologist, Even Though That Physician's Skills And Approach Can Significantly Influence Surgical Outcomes. Here Dr. Steven L. Orebaugh Recommends Steps We All Can Take To Secure Safe And Effective Anesthesia. What Type Of Anesthesia Is Used -- And How It Is Applied -- Directly Affects Postoperative Comfort As Well As Mental Clarity And Rehabilitation. This Book Describes The Various Options For Anesthesia And How They Can Be Used Together For The Best Possible Outcome And Optimal Pain Management. Dr. Orebaugh Offers A Brief History Of The Subject And A Clear And Careful Overview Of The Types Of Anesthesia And Their Associated Complications And Risks.dr. Orebaugh Focuses Especially On The Benefits Of Regional Anesthesia. When Appropriately Applied -- Whether Alone Or With Other Methods -- Spinal And Peripheral Nerve Blocks Often Lead To Better Recovery And Reduced Pain. Studies Show That As Many As Half Of All Surgical Patients Experience Poorly Controlled Postoperative Pain. Regional Anesthetic Nerve Blocks Can Help Significantly In Managing This Pain While Reducing The Side Effects Of General Anesthetics And Pain Medications. A Better Understanding Of Anesthesia Will Reassure People Contemplating Surgery And Equip Them To Take The Necessary Steps Toward Healthy Recovery. Knowing Their Options, They Can Have Informed Conversations With Their Doctor And Indicate A Preference For A Specific Anesthetic Treatment. Written By A Compassionate And Experienced Anesthesiologist And Backed By Scientifically Accurate Information And The Latest Research, This Book Will Help Patients Do Just That-- People Who Are Themselves Scheduled For Surgery Or Whose Family Members Are Scheduled For Surgery Will Be Drawn To This Book, Which Demystifies Anesthesia. The Author Is An Associate Professor Of Anesthesia At The University Of Pittsburgh And Has Written Several Anesthesia Textbooks. He Describes The Various Options For Anesthesia, And Explains The Pros And Cons-- Introduction To Anesthesia And Surgery -- A Brief History Of Anesthesia -- General Anesthesia -- Complications, Risk Assessment, And Safety -- Regional Anesthesia -- Spinal Anesthesia And Epidural Anesthesia -- Peripheral Nerve Blocks -- Complications Of Regional Anesthesia -- Regional Anesthesia For Special Populations -- Pain Therapy. Steven L. Orebaugh. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [135]-148) And Index. "Most people choose their surgeon with care, but very few think about the anesthesiologist, even though that physician's skills and approach can significantly influence surgical outcomes. Here Dr. Steven L. Orebaugh recommends steps we all can take to secure safe and effective anesthesia. What type of anesthesia is used -- and how it is applied -- directly affects postoperative comfort as well as mental clarity and rehabilitation. This book describes the various options for anesthesia and how they can be used together for the best possible outcome and optimal pain management. Dr. Orebaugh offers a brief history of the subject and a clear and careful overview of the types of anesthesia and their associated complications and risks. Dr. Orebaugh focuses especially on the benefits of regional anesthesia. When appropriately applied -- whether alone or with other methods -- spinal and peripheral nerve blocks often lead to better recovery and reduced pain. Studies show that as many as half of all surgical patients experience poorly controlled postoperative pain. Regional anesthetic nerve blocks can help significantly in managing this pain while reducing the side effects of general anesthetics and pain medications. A better understanding of anesthesia will reassure people contemplating surgery and equip them to take the necessary steps toward healthy recovery. Knowing their options, they can have informed conversations with their doctor and indicate a preference for a specific anesthetic treatment. Written by a compassionate and experienced anesthesiologist and backed by scientifically accurate information and the latest research, this book will help patients do just that"-- Provided by publisher "People who are themselves scheduled for surgery or whose family members are scheduled for surgery will be drawn to this book, which demystifies anesthesia. The author is an associate professor of anesthesia at the University of Pittsburgh and has written several anesthesia textbooks. He describes the various options for anesthesia, and explains the pros and cons"-- Provided by publisher An anesthesiologist explains nerve blocks, general anesthesia, and sedation for a safer procedure and faster, more comfortable recovery.