What is anesthesia?
Anesthesia is the use of anesthetics, which are medications that prevent a person from feeling pain during operations or other medical procedures.
Anesthetics work by blocking pain or sensation in the body or putting the brain to sleep. These medications can be given intravenously through an IV, inhaled, injected, taken orally, or applied topically.
Types of anesthesia and how they work
There are four main types of anesthesia, and each works differently by temporarily blocking pain signals between your body and your brain. They include:
- General anesthesia – makes you completely unconscious (you are put in a complete medically induced sleep). The anesthetics given affect the whole body and stop pain and awareness. They also prevent movement and memory formation during surgery. General anesthesia is typically administered by IV or inhaled as a gas and is used during major operations such as heart surgery or abdominal surgery. Breathing support and monitoring of vital functions are required during surgery.
- Regional anesthesia – works by numbing a large area of the body, such as the arm, shoulder, or the lower half of the body. You may remain awake or receive mild sedation during a procedure in which regional anesthesia is given. Regional anesthesia is administered by injecting medication near a cluster of nerves. This temporarily prevents pain signals from that region of the body from reaching the brain. Regional anesthesia is used for childbirth (an epidural) or targeted orthopedic surgeries on the hand or feet.
- Local anesthesia numbs a small, specific part of the body. These medications work by preventing local nerves from sending pain signals to the brain. You are awake and alert during procedures in which local anesthesia is given. Local anesthetics can be administered by injections or applied topically as sprays, gels, or ointments. They are commonly used during dental procedures, skin biopsies, minor plastic surgery, or stitching a wound on your skin.
- Sedation – helps you to relax or makes you feel sleepy without necessarily causing complete unconsciousness. Sedatives are often given to reduce anxiety or decrease awareness. You can usually breathe on your own and may or may not remember the procedure. Sedatives can be administered by IV, injection, or pills or liquids taken by mouth, and are used during dental procedures, colonoscopies, or minor surgeries. A trained healthcare provider will monitor your vitals while you are sedated.
Types of anesthesiology professionals
Modern anesthesia is considered very safe when it is administered by trained professionals. Medical professionals involved in this process include anesthesiologists, who are medical doctors specializing in anesthesia, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), who are nurses with advanced training in anesthesia, and Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs), who assist anesthesiologists. These skilled individuals work together to ensure your safety during the procedure.
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