General anesthesia has long been perceived as the same for all patients. However, new studies show that men and women can respond differently to it-and this feature is still not taken into account in medical practice.
According to Live Science, Dr. Elisha Peterson of George Washington's university explains that now doses of anesthesia are not sexually adjusted. Historically, clinical studies have been conducted mainly on white men, so women are not enough data.
Currently, doctors rely on brain activity monitoring during surgery to quickly change the dosage and reduce the risks, including awareness during anesthesia - when the patient partially comes to mind, although he does not feel pain.
Previously conducted studies indicate interesting trends. Yes, British Journal of AnaShesia found that women wake up faster after using propofol than men. And the review of more than 30 studies of 2023 indicated that the probability of awareness during anesthesia in women is 38% higher.
At the same time, there were no serious gender differences in the study of Thailand 2002 - cases of awareness were explained mainly by insufficient depth of anesthesia.
The biological mechanisms of the difference are just beginning to open. Scientists associate them with the action of hormones - estrogen and testosterone - to the centers of the brain, in particular the hypothalamus, as well as with the features of dopamine systems that control awakening.
However, despite the increasing amount of evidence, change the approaches to the dosage of anesthetics, depending on the gender is not recommended. As Dr. Peterson explains, it can lead to dangerous complications such as a sharp drop in pressure.
Currently, the use of brain activity monitors and taking into account individual factors, such as alcohol consumption, is now a safer approach, which can affect anesthesia sensitivity.
Although science is just beginning to reveal the deep differences between sexes to anesthesia, it is obvious that in the future medical protocols may change - and patients will get an even more individual approach to treatment.
