Benefits of Laughing Gas

You may be familiar with laughing gas because it was once commonly used by dentists as well as in labor and delivery suites. What you may not know is that laughing gas is still commonly used in a variety of medical settings because of its ability to safely and effectively relieve pain and anxiety. At The Vein Institute of Hunterdon (TVI), laughing gas is used in a number of procedures. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of using laughing gas.

What Is Laughing Gas?

Laughing gas is the colloquial term for a gas known as nitrous oxide. This gas, which is a combination of nitrogen and oxygen molecules, has been used for many years by medical professionals to help reduce anxiety and control pain during uncomfortable procedures. It is administered as a gas that is inhaled. Patients can breathe the gas through a mask during a procedure and have control over how much pain relief they’re receiving.

What Are the Benefits?

Laughing gas has a number of benefits, including the following:

• It provides effective pain relief without the use of opioid narcotic agents.
• The gas is odorless, easy to use, and it doesn’t require you to get an IV placed.
• It takes effect rapidly, and its effects also extinguish rapidly—which means that after a procedure, you’re able to safely drive yourself home.
• Laughing gas is very safe, and our Nitrouseal system helps avoid overdosing, with extra safety features used at the end of each procedure.

Is Laughing Gas Safe?

The research is clear: Laughing gas has a very high safety profile, including in children. Even at concentrations greater than those used with the Nitrouseal system, researchers have found that laughing gas does not negatively affect a person’s level of sedation. This means that there is very little concern about a patient developing a heart or lung problem while using laughing gas compared to other procedural pain control methods.

What Procedures Is Laughing Gas Used for at TVI?

At TVI, laughing gas is used during the following medical procedures:

• Laser ablations
• Ambulatory phlebectomies
• Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy

Our expert providers are skilled at performing procedures that can help change a patient’s quality of life, and laughing gas is an important tool in our arsenal.

If you’re in need of treatment for varicose veins, schedule an appointment with The Vein Institute of Hunterdon today. During your visit, you can inquire about laughing gas as an option to reduce pain and anxiety or contact our office today for more information!