Sedation involves using medications to provide a state of relaxation, drowsiness, light sleep or deeper sleep in certain situations. Deeper sedation may not be appropriate in patients with conditions such as obstructive sleep apnoea or severe emphysema. Sometimes called twilight sleep, sedation is used in procedures such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, skin lesion removal operations, or cataract surgery.
Drugs which relax and sedate you will be administered via a needle that is inserted into a vein in your arm or hand. Oxygen will be given via a mask. You will be drowsy throughout the procedure and may not remember much afterward.
On discharge from hospital it is important that you take the following precautions:
- You have a responsible adult to accompany you home who can stay overnight.
- Transport home must be suitable (ie. not by bus/train or driving self).
- You have ready access to a telephone and do not live more than 1 hour from medical care.
- Do not drink alcohol or operate any sort of machinery (including cars) until the following day.
- You may experience mild nausea and headache.