General Anesthesia: New Evidence and New Challenges

Anesthesia is a state that is characterized by a temporary loss of sensation and awareness. It facilitates the execution of painful medical procedures that can cause severe distress and pain to the patient. Anesthesia is classified into three categories, namely, general anesthesia, sedation and local anesthesia. General anesthesia involves putting the patient into a medically induced coma. It can be administered either intravenously or can be inhaled by the patient. The types and degree of anesthesia vary depending upon the medical procedure to be performed. These drugs have a variety of effects on the body such as loss of consciousness, loss of reflexes on the autonomic nervous system, and amnesia. This book aims to shed light on some of the unexplored aspects of general anesthesia and the challenges in its administration. From theories to research to practical applications, studies related to all contemporary topics of relevance to this type of anesthesia have been included herein. This book is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this area of medicine as well as for experts.