Preview the brochure, "Feeling Tired? But You’re Not Sure Why?”
For more information
on sleep apnea, see www.sleepapnea.org.
Sleep Apnea, Anesthesia & You…
If you have any questions about your anesthesia care,
ask your anesthesiologist.
Anesthesiologists are the patient’s advocate
during any surgical procedure – they are watching
for any changes in blood pressure, oxygen levels,
breathing rate and heart rate, and they are taking
every precaution to avoid any complication. This is
why the anesthesiologist wants to know as much as
possible about the patient’s health before the
surgery begins. If you have sleep apnea – or
even suspect that you do – discuss this with
your anesthesiologist during a preoperative interview
by telephone or in person a few days before the surgery.
The preoperative interview is also a good time for
you to get answers to all of your questions. Patients
and their families are best prepared for surgery and
anesthesia if they know what to expect. If you or
a member of your family has sleep apnea or other breathing
problems, you may want to ask your anesthesiologist
some of the following questions:
1. Do you use different anesthesia or different
procedures for a patient with sleep apnea?
2. Will the surgery take longer because of the
sleep apnea?
3. Are special measures taken to protect the patient’s
airway (and ability to breathe comfortably)?
4. Have you had experience anesthetizing sleep
apnea patients?
5. What in your anesthesiology training prepares
you to deal with sleep apnea and other breathing problems?
6. If I think I might have sleep apnea, is it
necessary to participate in a sleep study before I
undergo anesthesia? (And if I’ve already undergone
the study, should I submit the results of my sleep
study to the anesthesiologist?)
7. Who will perform or supervise the anesthesia
care throughout the procedure – a doctor (anesthesiologist)
or a nurse (anesthetist)?
The answers to these, and any other questions you
may have, will set your mind at ease before the day
of surgery. It’s been shown that patients who
are well-informed and calm before surgery have fewer
complications, better outcomes and a more comfortable
experience. Don’t forget: Ask your anesthesiologist!
|