There are several types of anesthesia, which are used for different purposes and have different effects on the body.
Local Anesthesia
Unlike other forms of anesthesia, local anesthesia can be performed by any medical professional and does not require specialized training. It’s commonly used for minor procedures, such as to block pain from a tooth during dental work or an area of skin that requires stitches.
Regional Anesthesia
Administered by an anesthetist, regional anesthesia blocks pain in a larger region of the body, such as an arm, leg, or the entire lower half of the body. It targets larger nerves that transmit signals across an entire area of the body.
Hand surgery, for example, requires regional anesthesia, given as a shot of numbing agent near the nerves in the armpit, causing your whole arm to go numb. Epidurals during childbirth are another common example.
Monitored Sedation
- Minimal sedation relaxes you while leaving you awake and able to respond to questions or instructions.
- Moderate sedation will make you sleepy, but you can be awakened easily and interact with your healthcare team, though you may not remember any of it.
- Deep sedation will give you a nice nap (you won’t be completely unconscious but you won’t be able to remember it, either); while you can breathe on your own, you will need close monitoring and may need to be given oxygen because the medications can cause your breathing to become slower or shallower.
General Anesthesia
Used for major, invasive surgeries — such as those that are time-consuming like back surgery or involve internal organs — general anesthesia is likely what you imagine when you hear the word “anesthesia.” It affects your entire body, making you unconscious and preventing you from feeling pain or even moving.
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