Do YOU have a fear of Anesthesia or Surgery?
Do YOU have a fear of anesthesia or surgery? So many people have an intense fear of anesthesia and surgery that they postpone needed surgery, that could greatly improve their quality of life, because they are afraid that they will be in a worse condition, or not wake up at all! Why do people experience fear this intense? There can be lots of reasons, as I’ll explain in this post…
Perhaps you come from a family of people who do not like going to the doctor because “the doctor always finds something wrong.” Perhaps you know someone who has had a bad experience with surgery or anesthesia. Perhaps YOU have had a bad experience with surgery or anesthesia.
The fact is, mistakes do happen, but in today’s medical world, surgery and anesthesia have never been more safe. Fear and anxiety are rampant! Everyone who is about to have surgery, has an extensive history taken by the doctors and nurses, about how you and other family members have responded to anesthesia in the past. Thanks to the internet, there is LOTS of excellent, reputable information on the internet.
Still, fear and anxiety are not always rational. If you have had an unexpected reaction in the past, or a close friend or family member has, you are probably going to be really scared and concerned. I don’t want to diminish that or say that it’s silly or unwarranted.
Research has shown that when slow, steady, soothing music is played for a patient that has a racing pulse and rapid, shallow breathing, the music can actually slow the patient’s heart and breathing down, and keep them steady! When this happens, the “relaxation response” kicks in. This is called “rhythmic entrainment.” The more relaxed your body and muscles are, the easier it is for the doctors and nurses to do what they need to do to help you.
If your muscles are tense and stiff, it’s going to take more medication to relax you, and more medication to wake up from and recover from. Yes, you also have to recover from the medication!!