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What is Minimal Sedation / Anxiolysis?
Minimal or light sedation is the administration of small amounts
of medication in order to deal with anxiety or agitation.
The defining characteristic of minimal sedation is that the
patient still appears relatively awake and is able to
communicate clearly at all times.
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Effects of Minimal Sedation /
Anxiolysis
This kind of sedation can make a procedure that is
otherwise difficult a little bit easier, and it is usually
not sufficient for a significant procedure or painful
intervention to occur.
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Candidates for Minimal Sedation /
Anxiolysis
Minimal sedation is for patients who need a little
medication to be able to deal with their anxiety or
agitation.
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Your
Consultation
Considerations before and during sedation include patient
assessment, fasting and monitoring.
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The Minimal Sedation / Anxiolysis
Procedure
Minimal sedation is the administration of oral medications
for the reduction of anxiety. During
minimal sedation, you will be awake but relaxed. You will
have slightly slowed movements, have normal respirations,
normal eye movement and also intact protective reflexes.
This is not anesthesia, and you will not need assisted
breathing in this type of sedation.
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Recovery
After the procedure, you will be monitored until you show
signs of being adequately recovered before you are allowed
to leave. You will be given discharge instructions before
leaving the center.
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Risks
The common side effects during sedation are airway
obstruction,
apnoea and
hypotension and it requires the presence of
health professionals who are suitably trained to
detect and manage these problems.
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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q:
What is sedation?
A:
Sedation is described as a depressed level of consciousness, which
may vary from light to deep. At light levels or conscious
sedation, the patient retains the ability present before
sedation to independently maintain an airway and respond
appropriately to verbal command. It is possible that the
patient may have amnesia, and protective reflexes are normal
or minimally altered.
Q:
What are the different levels of sedation?
A:
Sedation scales are used in situations in conjunction with
medical history to assess the degree of
sedation
in patients to avoid
under-sedation (where the patient would experience pain or
distress) and over-sedation (where the risk of side effects
such as suppression of breathing might be fatal). Typically,
the levels are agitation, calm, responsive to voice only, to
shaking only, to pain only and no response.
Q: What is anxiolysis?
A:
Minimal sedation is equivalent to anxiolysis, that is, a
drug-induced relief of apprehension with minimal effect on
sensorium.
Q:
What is the patient’s state during minimal sedation?
A:
During minimal sedation, the patient responds normally to verbal
commands. It is possible that the cognitive function may be
impaired, but the ventilatory and cardiovascular functions
are unaffected.
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