Conscious sedation is a type of sedation in which the individual is able to respond to verbal instructions, but feels little or no pain and has an altered level of consciousness. It is used for medical procedures that require patient response, for minor procedures that do not require the use of general anesthesia, and for procedures involving patients who are unable to cooperate with care providers. Like any form of anesthesia and sedation, there are some risks to this form, but it is significantly less dangerous than general anesthesia.
Some common procedures in which conscious sedation can be used include biopsies and minor surgeries, along with dental procedures. This form of dentistry is offered to young children who may have trouble following instructions from the dentist and staff, and to adults who experience significant anxiety about dental appointments. Some offices actively advertise sedation as an option to attract patients who dread dental visits.
Patients are carefully screened before being selected as candidates for conscious sedation, and the health care professional also discusses the risks, benefits, and alternatives with the patient. Once the decision to use it is made, the patient is given sedatives that relax them, along with pain relievers designed to take the pain out of the procedure. During the period of conscious sedation, an anesthesiologist or certified nurse anesthesiologist monitors the patient at all times, noting heart rate, breathing, and dissolved oxygen levels in the blood, so that adverse reactions can be quickly identified and addressed.
In some cases, patients are also given medications that are supposed to help them forget about the procedure. Medical procedures can be traumatic, and these medications are designed to reduce bad memories that can cause nightmares, panic attacks, and other unpleasant symptoms. After the procedure is complete, the patient is recovered and monitored until fully alert. It typically takes about 48 hours to fully recover from this form of sedation, during which the patient is not required to drive, make critical decisions, or engage in tasks that require a high level of concentration or fine motor skills.
There are some side effects associated with conscious sedation. Patients may feel nauseated, sometimes vomiting when they wake up, and headaches and a feeling of being hung up are common. It is important that patients drink plenty of fluids during recovery and report any persistent side effects to a medical professional.
In the medical community, there is some debate about conscious sedation. There is concern that this technique is sometimes used in cases where it is inappropriate, and medications must be used very carefully to ensure the patient is sedated but not unconscious. Organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics have specific guidelines that they recommend to their members, based on study data and reports from medical experts to establish the safest techniques.