Ramifications and prevention of preoperative anxiety

Abstract

<p>Anxiety is an unpleasant sense associated with fear, unease and nervousness. Researchers report a significant correlation between a patient&rsquo;s level of preoperative anxiety, anesthetic consumption and postoperative pain. Pain in the postoperative period leads to increased narcotic consumption and its subsequent side effects.&nbsp;Other postoperative consequences of preoperative anxiety include nausea, vomiting, cardiovascular disturbances such as tachycardia and hypertension, and increased the risk of infection. It is also reported that the recovery period and length of hospital stay are extended in patients with increased levels of preoperative anxiety.</p> <p>Practitioners engage in pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures for the treatment of preoperative anxiety.Premedication with midazolam is the most widely used for the treatment of anxiety before general anesthesia, but can lead to undesirable side effects, including oversedation, hypotension, and respiratory depression.&nbsp;These severe negative consequences have encouraged practitioners to look to other options for the treatment of anxiety. There are a wide variety of alternative treatments for preoperative anxiety including cognitive behavioral therapy, music therapy, audiovisual programs, meditation, virtual reality, acupuncture, aromatherapy and melatonin.&nbsp;</p>