One of the most important jobs of an anaesthetist is maintaining the patient’s airway. As we lose consciousness, the tongue falls back and the airway becomes obstructed. In addition, anaesthetic drugs such as narcotics can suppress breathing. In some anaesthetics we deliberately stop the breathing so that we can relax the muscles to allow… Read more »
Author: Aubrey Bristow
Dr Aubrey Bristow is a consultant anaesthetist in central London. These articles are his personal views and reflect individual issues of interest to patients. They are not a comprehensive review of the subject nor a substitute for a consultation with your anaesthetist.
Sedation versus General Anaesthesia
Advances in anaesthetic drugs mean many procedures can now be undertaken under sedation. Many patients find this decision quite difficult and I thought that a blog explaining the difference would be helpful. General anaesthesia provides loss of consciousness or awareness together with pain relief. If you have a general anaesthetic you will be… Read more »
Hotels
Anaesthetic private practice is not limited to the operating theatre. It is important that anaesthetists as well as surgeons guide their patients through their medical treatment at a time when they are often anxious. One difficulty patients face is where to stay immediately before their admission or after discharge from hospital if they do not… Read more »