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What is Anesthesiology?

A Kaminsky
A Kaminsky

Anesthesiology is the study and practice of administering sedation and/or anesthesia to a living creature for the purpose of blocking pain. There are anesthesiologists who practice on animals and those who treat humans. Anesthesiology is, to many people, a rather mysterious and even spooky field of medicine. Who knows what actually happens to a person when they are "put under"? Indeed, it could be said that anesthesiology is the branch of medicine that comes the closest to causing clinical death and resurrection on the operating table.

An anesthesiologist specializes in the field after undergoing the usual medical school education and residency. Most doctors have general training in anesthesiology, but like all medical specialties, additional study and a residency in that field is required for certification. The main goal of anesthesiology is to prevent a patient from feeling pain. Thus, an anesthesiologist may also be involved in a patient's pain management after surgery. He or she will also often recommend the best method of anesthesia, depending on the procedure, since not every method is suited for every procedure on every patient.

A patient being given inhalational anaesthetic.
A patient being given inhalational anaesthetic.

Numerous medications are available for the anesthesiologist to select from, and part of the anesthesiology training is knowing which medication suits which patient for any given procedure. Age, height, weight and general health are all factors. For example, the patient may be an elderly woman with a broken hip. Depending on her general health, and what procedure the surgeon will perform, the anesthesiologist will determine whether she needs general or total anesthesia, or if an epidural can be given to block the pain. Since the elderly often do not tolerate general anesthesia very well, the anesthesiologist may determine that an epidural will block the pain from the surgery, but still maintain the patient's consciousness.

Anesthesiologists may administer drugs to produce a twilight sedation in a patient before stressful or uncomfortable medical procedure, or put them into a deep sleep during major surgery.
Anesthesiologists may administer drugs to produce a twilight sedation in a patient before stressful or uncomfortable medical procedure, or put them into a deep sleep during major surgery.

Anesthesiology is critical in every surgical procedure, but especially in complex surgeries such as open heart. The heart may need to be completely stopped, and this is the anesthesiologist's job. He or she will often have a particular set of nurses and technicians who work with only that doctor during the surgery, and monitor the patient's vital statistics.

An epidural can numb parts of the body from pain, such as during labor or surgery.
An epidural can numb parts of the body from pain, such as during labor or surgery.

A good anesthesiologist will also visit the patient before and after surgery. This helps him or her determine what methods of anesthesia to use, and also allows the doctor to observe how well the patient tolerated the anesthesia. This could be crucial knowledge for further treatment and other surgical procedures. Spooky or not, anesthesiology is a necessary branch of medicine.

Discussion Comments

anon963807

I read you can earn up to $300,000 in Anaesthesiology.

anon230508

I'm 12 years old too and would like to pursue being a anesthesiologist.

anon220297

I'm 17 and I would like to pursue this career. The only problem is: I don't have a clue of what to major in when I get to college. Would it be pre-med, neuroscience or another? I just want to be set on the correct path toward my career goal.

anon185763

I'm 17 years old. I like the medicine field but just don't fancy dealing with blood and corpses. However, i might want to become an anesthesiologist. Can I know what subjects are important for this field. Is it biology, chemistry or physics?

anon176244

I've always wanted to become a doctor but not sure on which kind I want to be. Anesthesiology is influencing me. I think I know what I want to be when I grow up.

anon162370

I am writing a report for my english class on anesthesiology, and this article was very helpful. i want to be an anesthesiologist when i get older.

anon132107

I am only 12 years old and am looking forward to becoming an anesthesiologist.

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    • A patient being given inhalational anaesthetic.
      By: reflektastudios
      A patient being given inhalational anaesthetic.
    • Anesthesiologists may administer drugs to produce a twilight sedation in a patient before stressful or uncomfortable medical procedure, or put them into a deep sleep during major surgery.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Anesthesiologists may administer drugs to produce a twilight sedation in a patient before stressful or uncomfortable medical procedure, or put them into a deep sleep during major surgery.
    • An epidural can numb parts of the body from pain, such as during labor or surgery.
      By: chanawit
      An epidural can numb parts of the body from pain, such as during labor or surgery.
    • Anesthesiology is critical in every surgical procedure.
      By: evok20
      Anesthesiology is critical in every surgical procedure.
    • In some cases, a doctor may administer a small amount of sedative through an intravenous line in addition to anesthesia.
      By: tawesit
      In some cases, a doctor may administer a small amount of sedative through an intravenous line in addition to anesthesia.
    • Anesthesiology training involves learning which medications suit patients for specific procedures.
      By: diego cervo
      Anesthesiology training involves learning which medications suit patients for specific procedures.