When conscious, an ambulatory patient is in a state of wakefulness and awareness. But when the mind and body slip into unconsciousness, the individual becomes unconscious, consequently losing all sensational powers, including the sensation of pain. Medically-induced muscle relaxation enables surgeons to perform surgeries at lower risks.

When it comes to anesthetic depth, it’s traditionally categorized into 4 stages according to Dr. Guedel’s graph in 1937. If you are a patient or a curious mind thirsty for medical knowledge, this blog walks you through the stages, shares tips on how to minimize risk factors before an operation, and answers some of the FAQs.

The 4 Safe, Predictable, and Reversible Stages of Anesthesia

Anesthesia is a calibrated formula of substances that temporarily relaxes the body and silences the mind. In the span of what feels like short minutes for you, your body goes through 4 stages while anesthesia medicines do their mission.

Analgesia: The Induction Stage

In the first stage, you are still awake. The anesthesiologist administers anesthetic agents, either through intravenous injection or through inhaled gases. Gradually, the patient falls drowsier, slowing his nervous system down.

The body becomes increasingly relaxed, and pain preceptors are blocked. The induction stage ends within seconds or short minutes when consciousness is lost. In short, Analgesia is a smooth, controlled entry into general sedation without triggering distress or complications.

Delirium: The Excitement Stage

Welcome to the excitement stage where the brain and body activity, despite deep sleep, can be irregular like breathing, muscles may twitch, and reflexes can still occur.
In today’s medicine, anesthesiologists move quickly through this phase using fast-acting anesthesia medicine to minimize its duration and avoid its associated risks. One unnecessary stimulation, such as touching the throat can irritate the airway and provoke dangerous spasms.

Surgical Anesthesia: The Operative Stage

Surgical Anesthesia is the target depth for most operations. The patient breathes slowly and steadily, along with complete muscle relaxation. The airway no longer reacts, allowing safe placement of breathing tubes.
This stage is divided into different levels: starting off at lighter levels where breathing remains spontaneous, followed with deeper levels that require full ventilatory support. The anesthesia consultant carefully balances the mixture of medications to keep the patient at a deep enough level, maintaining vital functions.

Overdose: The Danger Stage

The risk of the final stage is low to nonexistent by continuous monitoring and precise dosing. With well-managed surgical care, general sedation will go as planned. In case of an overdose, breathing stops, muscles are completely flaccid, pupils become fixed and dilated, and blood pressure plummets. Without immediate life support, the consequences are fatal.
Avoiding this stage is a constant priority, and it’s why anesthetic depth is tracked second by second throughout all surgical procedures at AMNM by our expert anesthesiologist.

General Anesthesia FAQs

It’s very common to have some fear of anesthesia before surgery. Undergoing general sedation is generally safe and effective when administered by a trained anesthesiologist, but like all medical procedures, it has risks.

1. How long does it take to wake up from anesthesia?

There is no rule of thumb when it comes to that as it depends on the type and dose of anesthetic medicine, surgery duration, and one’s state of health. Patients usually regain consciousness after 15 minutes from cutting anesthesia input. However, full recovery can take up to a few hours.

2. What happens if I wake up during surgery?

Accidental awareness under general anesthesia (AAGA) is so rare as anesthesiologists utilize advanced monitoring tools and drug combinations to prevent AAGA.
If any suspicion of awareness arises during surgery, it is treated immediately with medication adjustments.

3. What are the side effects of anesthesia?

Common short-term side effects:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sore throat
• Shivering
• Drowsiness and mild confusion

Some of the less common effects may include temporary muscle aches, itching, or dizziness.

5. How to minimize risk factors?

A patient can take few steps to reduce possible risk factors and ensure a smooth recovery:

• Following the physician’s pre-surgery instructions.
• Sharing the full medical history with the anesthesiologist, including allergies, medications, etc.
• Avoiding alcohol or sedatives before surgery.
• Performing medical checks and managing chronic medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or asthma, before the procedure.

At Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine, you will meet your anesthesiologist for a routine consultation, where they will answer all your questions and clarify any concern so you can enter the operation room with peace of mind and tranquility.

With more than 500 million diabetics affected around the world, diabetes is considered one of the most common cases that endocrinologists treat in their clinics. This chronic health condition prevents the body from maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Untreated diabetes can lead to serious complications in the long term like heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, vision loss, etc.

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: What’s the Difference?

Diabetes is often a silent condition, and people can easily miss or misdiagnose its symptoms without regular blood sugar testing and medical checkups. The glucose-irregulator disrupts the natural ability to control carbohydrates circulating around the cardiovascular system.
The first type is a rare, autoimmune disease where one’s immune system mistakenly destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It’s usually spotted in childhood or adolescence years, setting the patient up for lifelong insulin therapy.
Diabetes rates are on the surge among younger generations after being tied with adults above 40 in the past. Today, type 2 diabetes consists of around 90% of diabetic cases. Unlike its fellow, Type 2 often develops due to lifestyle risk factors that turn the body into an insulin-resistant
state or even destroy the pancreas’ ability to produce insulin for maintaining normal blood sugar levels.

Top Causes of Diabetes Based on Endocrinology Perspective

Genetics and Destructive Immune Reactions

Like everything in the human body, genetics play a major role in increasing the likelihood of type 1 and 2 diabetes. In Type 1, passing down certain genes may trigger an immune attack that backfires on the pancreas. In Type 2, some inherited traits influence how efficiently the body processes insulin and glucose in addition to daily risk factors like stress, PTSD, and more. Whether it’s T1D or T2D, both cases result in complete insulin deficiency.

Poor Nutrition and Highly Processed Meals

Relying on nutrition packed with refined carbohydrates, sugary beverages, and processed foods spikes insulin resistance and leads to obesity, which negatively impacts blood sugar regulation and healthy pancreatic function.

Obesity

According to the World Health Organization, obesity is the underlying cause of 44% of diabetes cases worldwide. Described as diabesity, extra weight not only hinders a person’s ability to enjoy an active, healthy life but also increases the risk of T2D. Body fat interferes with insulin’s job by producing inflammatory substances and fatty acids that hinder its effect. This leads to what we call insulin resistance.

Inactive Lifestyle

The lack of exercise along with a couch-potato lifestyle makes you prone to hyperglycemia. In other terms, unstable blood sugar levels drop a body’s insulin sensitivity, accumulating glucose and increasing metabolic disorders, T2D, and stubborn fat loss.

Prevention: Beyond Blood Sugar Testing

The genetic nature of type 1 diabetes makes it unavoidable. However, T2D can be reversed early on and even prevented by adopting healthier lifestyle habits.

Live by a Balanced Nutrition

Steer away from processed goods! Leading a healthy life lies in the subtle choices of everyday, from opting for whole foods, consuming organic vegetables and fruits, and relying on lean proteins and healthy fats. The healthier the diet gets, the less T2D-prone one becomes.
If you are planning on pursuing nutritious eating, you can consult a dietitian who will support you in every step of your journey.

Engage in Activity

Instead of spending the week (10,080 worth of minutes) laying around, dedicating 150 minutes (equal to 2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate activity per week does wonders.

Regular exercises increase “skeletal muscle GLUT4 expression and augment insulin receptor signaling and oxidative capacity, which optimizes insulin action and glucose oxidation and storage,” says the National Institute of Health when discussing the role of sports in fighting diabetes. In short, routine exercises improve insulin sensitivity in individuals with T2D and lower the chances of having it.

Maintain Optimal Weight

A healthy BMI indicator speaks volumes about the body’s status and strength against risk factors, including type 2 diabetes. Whether it’s fat accumulation on the liver and muscles, spread inflammation, impaired insulin secretion, or low sensitivity, all increase the odds of triggering diabetes. That’s why maintaining the perfect weight is crucial to avoid the above complications and disorders.

Stress No More

Did you know that studies have shown a correlation between traumatic events and the subsequent development of diabetes? It can be the sudden death of a beloved one, a nerve-wracking environment, a fried nervous system, etc. That’s why it’s important to intentionally practice mindfulness through yoga or relaxation techniques, as chronic stress can raise blood sugar levels.

It’s true that diabetes might persist for a lifetime, but with the right knowledge, early countermeasures, and endocrinologist follow-ups, T2D can be reversible if the patient is cautious enough. As for type 1 diabetes, daily insulin injections are a must, along with regular blood sugar testing and medical care.
Who said diabetes is a dead end? People can lead long, healthy, and fulfilling lives!

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death globally, and prompt medical attention during a cardiac heart event can be life-saving. One of the most critical elements in managing this condition is understanding the early warning signs. A heart attack usually doesn’t appear out of nowhere. It often presents with symptoms that, when recognized early, can significantly improve outcomes and reduce the risk of long-term complications. Many people miss critical warning signs in the early stages. Learning to spot these symptoms could save a life, including your own.

What Causes a Heart Attack?

A heart attack, medically known as myocardial infarction, occurs when the blood flow to part of the heart muscle is severely reduced or blocked. This heart blockage is often due to a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances together, forming a plaque in the arteries. When the plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form, blocking the flow of blood to the heart muscle.
The longer the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen, the greater the potential damage.

The Most Common Signs of a Heart Attack

1. Chest pain or pressure
   Often described as a squeezing, tightness, or aching in the middle of the chest, this discomfort can come and go. It’s one of the most reported symptoms by those experiencing a heart attack.
   
2. Pain radiating beyond the chest
   Discomfort may spread to the left arm, neck, back, shoulders, or jaw. Some people confuse these symptoms with muscle problems or other unrelated conditions. Any unexplained pain in these areas should be taken seriously.
   
3. Shortness of breath
   This symptom may appear with or without chest pain and can occur during activity or while at rest. It’s especially important not to ignore this symptom, as it’s a strong indicator of potential heart issues.
   
4. Nausea, lightheadedness, or cold sweat
   These symptoms may mimic those of other conditions, but when paired with chest pain or fatigue, they should never be ignored.
   
5. Unusual fatigue
   A sudden drop in energy or chronic tiredness could be the result of decreased blood flow to the heart. If you notice persistent fatigue following minor exertion, speak with a heart specialist.
   
6. Sweating
   Breaking into a cold sweat when still or while lying down can signal a cardiac event in progress.

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Women may experience different or more subtle symptoms compared to men. While chest pain remains the most common symptom, women are more likely to report shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and back or jaw pain. Recognizing these differences helps support timely intervention.

When to Seek Help

Time is critical. If you or someone near you shows potential signs of a heart attack, call emergency services immediately. Avoid driving yourself and aim to remain calm and seated while help arrives.

How AMNM Supports Your Heart Health

At Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine, AMNM, our team of internationally trained physicians is experienced in preventive care, acute cardiac assessment, and heart disease management. With state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, including ECG, echocardiogram, and heart blockage test options, we’re equipped to evaluate and manage your cardiac health with precision and discretion.
Our approach is evidence-based, aligned with U.S. healthcare standards, and grounded in personalized care. Located in Lusail, AMNM offers patients a calm, private environment for both evaluation and treatment.
Recognizing the signs of a heart attack can save a life. Acting on them with trusted care can protect your future.