Anesthesia (or anaesthesia) generally refers to the use of an anesthetic drug to reduce or prevent pain during surgery or other medical procedures. In patient surgical procedures are not the only time anesthesia is administered. Dental visits, cosmetic surgery procedures, and a host of other out-patient scenarios are all common places for anesthesia to be used.

Often, anesthesiologists are not present during these applications; indeed, many other doctors, dentists, surgeons, nurses or other health care providers administer sedatives and anesthetics. It is important that these medical providers have effective training and appropriate certifications to avoid complications from anesthetic use from arising.

Depending upon a person's current health and the medical procedure taking place, an anesthesiologist, doctor, or other medical professional may decide to use a local, regional or general anesthetic or sedation.

Local Anesthetic

The use of local anesthesia numbs only a small part of your body, for instance the cite where stitches will be placed or a cavity filled, while you remain otherwise awake and alert. The anesthetic drug is generally applied (as a spray, cream, or other solution) or injected directly where the pain is focused; the drug inhibits the transmissions of pain signals. The effect generally lasts for less than an hour or for a few hours at a time and dissipates as the anesthetic is carried away by the bodies' natural functions. However, a catheter placed at the desired location can provide a continuous administration of anesthetic for days or weeks and may be utilized for purposes of pain management.

Regional Anesthetic

One of the most common regional anesthetics is perhaps the epidural, administered during childbirth to block labor pains in the lower half of the mother's body. Regional anesthetics are injected near a single nerve or cluster of nerves to block pain to a specific region of the body. A foot, hand, leg, arm, or even one side of the neck may be prevented from feeling pain with the use of a regional anesthetic.

General Anesthetic

Often referred to as "going under," a general anesthetic induces a loss of consciousness. You won't remember the surgery, or perhaps the time right after it if a general anesthetic was used. A general anesthetic affects all areas of your body including your brain, heart, and lungs, and can suppress the body's natural reflexes, such as coughing or even breathing. A breathing tube or oxygen mask may be required by the use of certain general anesthetics.

Sedation

Sedation doesn't "knock you out" like general anesthesia, but you may have no recollection of the procedure afterwards. Sometimes producing what's called a "twilight sleep," a mild sedative may be used in conjunction with a local or regional anesthetic when general anesthesia is not warranted, or a patient's health could not safely tolerate a general anesthetic.