When discussing details about your health with your doctor or anesthesiologist before surgery or other medical procedures, there is no such thing as TMI (too much information). According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), you may not think that taking ginkgo Biloba for memory or utilizing medical marijuana for pain is impactful. However, you should inform your anesthesiologist of such things for your safety during surgery.
Your physician anesthesiologist isn’t interested in criticizing you; instead, they want to give you the safest, most efficient anesthetic and pain management, which means you must be honest about your medical history. That said, here are some things you must inform your anesthesiologist before surgery.
Medication
Several medications may have an impact on pain relief or anesthesia. According to research, certain antidepressants can reduce the effects of various opioids. The physician anesthesiologist may decide on an alternative method of pain management if you take certain medications. When you visit a hospital and surgery center, talk to your doctor or anesthesiologist about all of your drugs so they can decide the best course of action.
Supplements
Similar to other medicines, some supplements may interfere with anesthesia. For instance, many individuals take ginseng to strengthen their immune systems and Ginkgo Biloba to help their memory, but both can raise the risk of bleeding. Tell your doctor or anesthesiologist which supplements you take and how much of them. It is best to bring your supplements to your presurgical appointment with your doctor anesthesiologist.
Snoring
Anesthesia is riskier if your sleep apnea—a condition in which breathing is disrupted while you sleep—is the root cause of your snoring. This is because it slows breathing and makes you more susceptible to adverse effects. Consequently, you may find it more challenging to regain consciousness following surgery if you have sleep apnea. If this is the case, the anesthesiologist doctor may modify the sedative, prolong your recovery period, and provide non-opioid pain relievers.
Smoking
Smoking harms your heart and lungs and might cause breathing issues during or after surgery. Additionally, it raises your risk of getting pneumonia, requiring a ventilator to help you breathe after surgery, having a heart attack during or after surgery, and lowering blood flow, which slows recovery and raises the possibility of infection.
For these reasons, your doctor or anesthesiologist would probably request that you give up smoking at least a week or longer before the treatment.
Have you had a stroke or experienced heat stroke?
Inform your doctor and anesthesiologist if you or a family member has ever experienced a stroke or a heat stroke (a reaction to extreme heat when the body cannot control its temperature). Both can raise your risk of developing malignant hyperthermia, a severe anesthetic reaction that can be fatal and results in muscle rigidity and an unexpectedly high fever.
Have experienced anesthesia-related side effects.
If you’ve previously undergone a procedure and experienced an adverse anesthetic reaction, it’s crucial to disclose this. To correct your anesthetic and stop it from happening again, your medical anesthesiologist will enquire in-depth questions regarding what transpired.
