General anaesthesia is a medically supervised state of controlled unconsciousness used during major surgical procedures. It helps patients remain comfortably asleep and prevents awareness and pain during surgery. Anaesthesia is administered and carefully monitored by a qualified anaesthesiologist throughout the procedure.
Before surgery, the anaesthesia team reviews your medical history, current medications, allergies, previous anaesthesia experiences, and relevant test results. This assessment helps determine the safest anaesthesia approach based on your procedure and individual health needs.
How General Anaesthesia Works
General anaesthesia may be given through intravenous medicines, inhaled anaesthetic agents, or a combination of both. Once anaesthesia takes effect, the anaesthesia team continuously monitors important parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, breathing, and other vital signs.
Preparation and Recovery
Patients are generally advised to follow specific preoperative instructions, including fasting for a recommended period and informing the medical team about all medications and existing health conditions. After surgery, patients are monitored in a recovery area until they are sufficiently awake and stable.
Some people may temporarily experience drowsiness, nausea, sore throat, dizziness, or mild confusion after general anaesthesia. These effects usually improve as the medicines wear off, although recovery varies between individuals.