“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
Sedation refers to the use of drugs or other techniques to induce a state of calmness or relaxation in a person. Sedation can be used in a variety of settings, including medical procedures, dental procedures, and diagnostic tests.
There are different levels of sedation, ranging from mild sedation, in which a person is awake but relaxed, to deep sedation, in which a person is almost asleep and may not respond to stimulation. General anesthesia is a form of deep sedation in which a person is completely unconscious.
Sedation can be achieved through different methods, including oral medications, intravenous (IV) medications, inhaled medications, or a combination of these methods. The type and dose of sedative used will depend on the person's age, weight, medical history, and the procedure being performed.
Sedation is generally considered safe when administered by trained healthcare professionals in an appropriate setting, but it does carry some risks. These risks include respiratory depression, allergic reactions, and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. For this reason, careful monitoring of the person's vital signs and breathing is necessary during sedation.