Anesthesiology is the practice of blocking pain, discomfort or distress during surgery or an obstetric or diagnostic procedure. An anesthesiologist is specially trained to plan, monitor and administer pain relief before and during an operation, and assess the patient’s condition and recovery afterwards. This specialist consults with patients for pain management, such as cancer patients, and those with critical illnesses or severe injuries.

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are Anesthesia awareness and Malignant hyperthermia (MH).

Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including Relaxation, Homeostasis, and Analgesia.

To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including Halothane Caffeine Contracture Test.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Washington, D.C. has 274 practicing anesthesiologist in Washington.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Washington, D.C. has a population of 550,521. Of this population, 110,240 are under the age of 18 and 66,591 are at or above the age of 65.