Anesthesiologists are medical professionals that focus on anesthesia care, pain management, and critical care medicine. An anesthesiologist Delray Beach evaluates and monitors you before, during, and after surgery. They perform similar duties to your primary care doctor by managing all your medical care aspects, like blood pressure, asthma, and heart problems, while administering anesthesia. Below are the various roles and responsibilities of anesthesiologists.
What role does an anesthesiologist play during surgery?
Before surgery
Several days before your surgery, you will have an appointment with your anesthesiologist to ensure you are fit for the operation. The anesthesiologist will ask about your health, examine you and review previous tests. Ensure you tell the provider about medical conditions you may be having, like heart disease, diabetes, or asthma.
Additionally, tell your anesthesiologist about medications or herbal supplements you might be taking. If you have had problems with anesthesia, notify your anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist will tell you the type of anesthesia you will have during your surgery and any possible risks. Make sure you ask questions you may have about your surgery during this appointment.
During surgery
Before surgery, your anesthesiologist administers anesthesia and closely monitors your vital body functions during the operation. The provider manages any medical issues that may arise during surgery and other chronic problems you have, like asthma or high blood pressure. Your anesthesiologist can offer any of the following types of anesthesia during surgery, depending on your condition or the affected body part.
General anesthesia: Your anesthesiologist can administer general anesthesia through a mask or IV to make you unconscious. This anesthesia is mostly used for major operations like open-heart surgery.
Regional anesthesia: This form of anesthesia is given through an injection or a catheter. It numbs a large part of your body, such as from your waist down. Regional anesthesia keeps you awake during surgery, but you cannot feel the numbed area.
Local anesthetic: Local anesthesia numbs a small region of your body. You will be awake during the operation but not feel pain around the treated area. Specialists often use local anesthetic when performing procedures like stitching a deep cut.
After surgery
After surgery, your anesthesiologist monitors you during recovery to ensure you have the right breathing rate, circulation, and oxygen level. The provider can answer questions or attend to any problem that may arise during recovery. Anesthesiologists typically decide when patients have recovered from anesthesia effects and are ready to go home or move to regular medical facility rooms.
What is the role of an anesthesiologist when you have chronic pain?
Anesthesiologists can also specialize in pain management. Your doctor can refer you to an anesthesiologist if you have chronic pain from conditions like fibromyalgia or pain that do not go away, such as back pain and migraine headaches. Anesthesiologists have special training in managing chronic pain.
Anesthesiologists focus on anesthesia care, pain management, and critical care medicine. The professionals care for you before, during, and after surgery and can help manage your chronic pain. Schedule an appointment at Florida Pain Management Institute to manage your chronic pain with trained and experienced anesthesiologists.
