Dr. Hough - What is Anesthesiology?
James B. Hough, MD, is a well-versed pain management specialist who diagnoses and treats patients at Mid-Missouri Anesthesia Consultants in Jefferson City, MO. Furthermore, he has staff memberships at several local hospitals, including SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Jefferson City. A pain management specialist, he has dedicated... more
Anesthesiology is the branch of medicine dedicated to the total perioperative care of patients before, during, and after surgery. There are three types of anesthesia: local, general, and regional. Local anesthesia is used to numb the nerves in specific parts of the body. This prevents pain and discomfort during surgical procedures. Local anesthesia only lasts a short period of time, so its main use is for minor outpatient procedures.
General anesthesia is used for major operations, such as heart surgeries, and knee and hip replacements. This medication is administered by a physician anesthesiologist through a mask or an IV placed in the vein, and the patient is unconscious during the procedure. Regional anesthesia is used for surgery that numbs a large portion of the body, such as from the waist down. This type of anesthesia includes epidurals and spinal blocks, used for childbirth and C-sections.
