Overview
Anesthesiologists (pronounced ăn’ĕs-thē’zē-ŏl’ō-jĭsts) are medical doctors who specialize in anesthesiology. Anesthesiology (pronounced ăn’ĕs-thē’zē-ŏl’ō-jē) is the study and use of medicines or combinations of medicines to produce a partial or complete loss of sensation and/or consciousness in patients. Anesthesiologists administer medications (called anesthetics, anesthetic agents, or anesthesia) to reduce pain caused by a medical condition or injury, or to manage and control pain during and after a medical procedure, such as surgery.
There are several different types of anesthesia. The three main types are local anesthesia (reduces sensation in a small, specific area), regional anesthesia (reduces sensation in a larger region of the body, e.g., spinal, epidural), and general anesthesia (renders the patient unconscious). Anesthesia may be administered topically (as a spray, cream, or lotion), orally (by mouth), through an injection (e.g., into the skin, muscle, or spinal fluid), through a vein (intravenous, IV), as a suppository (inserted in the rectum, urethra, or vagina), or may be inhaled (breathed in). Anesthesiologists are highly skilled in all aspects of anesthesia.
Anesthesiologists have comprehensive knowledge in several different areas of medicine. Prior to administering anesthesia, the anesthesiologist must learn as much as possible about the patient’s personal history, family history, and medical condition (e.g., illness or injury). Anesth...
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