Question 1

how was general anaesthetic found?

Accepted Answer

GA: Nitrous Oxide was discovered by  Joseph Priestly in 1772. But, it was Humphry Davy who discovered that inhaling it inhibited pain. There were nitrous 'parties' and 'exhibitions' where people would inhale it and do stupid and sometimes painful things. In 1840, a dentist (Horace Wells) used it to deaden pain while pulling molars. The combination of the nitrous gas and opium made a reasonable GA.

Question 2

how can a general anaesthetic work?

Accepted Answer

Induces unconcious: General an esthetics all induce an unconcious state in which the patient cannot feel stimuli.  The exact mechanism is unknown and may vary between a esthetics.

Question 3

can you tell me about general anaesthetic?

Accepted Answer

Definition: General anesthesia involves causing a loss of consciousness through the use of a combination of medications. Some of these medications are given through an IV and some are gases. In most cases, a breathing tube will be used (or other special breathing device). 
If you have more specific questions, please  submit another question.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Insiders-Guide-to-General-Anesthesia

Question 4

what effects can a general anaesthetic have.

Accepted Answer

Nausea: Vomiting, prolonged sedation, aspiration of vomitus and other side effects. All are often treated prophylactically for patients with risk factors. There are others but are very rare.

Question 5

what does a general anaesthetic actually feel like?

Accepted Answer

Nothing: After induction of anesthesia higher brain function "turns off" and consciousness is lost. Upon emergence of anesthesia the brain function returns and you wake up. You have no recall of time while under anesthesia or events that happened.

Question 6

how long does it take to clear general anaesthetic?

Accepted Answer

short time: General anesthetics are cleared by the time a patient is released from the recovery room. Sedation may persist due to other pain, anti-nausea or sedative medications administered.

Question 7

getting so terrified about general anaesthetic procedure on monday! don't think i'll wake up. needs to be done though. help?

Accepted Answer

Anethesia: This is a common fear.  We now have monitors and much safer drugs for general anesthesia.  Relate your fears to your anesthesiologist.  They usually do a nice job of helping set your mind at ease.  They may also be able to offer you a pre op sedative to relieve some of your anxiety.

Question 8

what to if i am scared of having a general anaesthetic. any coping mechanisms?

Accepted Answer

Preparing for ops: General anesthesia is amazingly safe - safer than walking on the street!  modern drugs and extensive continuous monitoring of the patient make surgery a safe, even pleasant experience.  Please talk to your friendly anesthesiologist before scheduling a case with your surgeon;  you will be pleasantly surprised and well informed!

Question 9

how likely is survival of a 70 year old man going in for a general anaesthetic..?

Accepted Answer

Anesthesia: The survivability of any patient at any age is predicated on the procedure and the patient's physiology. Not on general anesthesia alone.

Question 10

why are you not supposed to eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to having a general anaesthetic?

Accepted Answer

Aspiration: With general anesthesia, the patient is rendered unconscious.  This causes you to lose your cough and gag reflexes so if there's any food in your stomach, it may make its way into your lungs and cause a very serious pneumonia.  Having an empty stomach decreases the risk of this serious adverse event.

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Doctor answers about:

General anaesthetic recovery

A member asked:

How was general anaesthetic found?

A member asked:

How can a general anaesthetic work?

A member asked:

Can you tell me about general anaesthetic?

A member asked:

What effects can a general anaesthetic have.

A member asked:

What does a general anaesthetic actually feel like?

A member asked:

How long does it take to clear general anaesthetic?

A member asked:

Getting so terrified about general anaesthetic procedure on monday! don't think i'll wake up. needs to be done though. help?

A member asked:

What to if i am scared of having a general anaesthetic. any coping mechanisms?

A member asked:

How likely is survival of a 70 year old man going in for a general anaesthetic..?

A member asked:

Why are you not supposed to eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to having a general anaesthetic?

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