The Basics
Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate � �
What is anesthesia? " � Anesthesia is a term that doctors use for different types of medicine they give people before surgery or another procedure. These medicines work by making sure that you do not: � �
- Feel pain
- Move during the surgery or procedure
- Remember the surgery or procedure
What are the different types of anesthesia? " � There are 3 main types of anesthesia: � �
- Local " � This type of anesthesia uses medicine to numb a small part of your body so you dont feel pain. It can be given as a cream, gel, or spray on the skin. It can also be given by an injection (shot) into the skin. You might be awake when you get local anesthesia. Doctors give local anesthesia before minor surgery, such as a skin or breast biopsy. A biopsy is when a doctor takes a tiny sample of tissue using a needle. You might also have local anesthesia sprayed into your mouth before a doctor or nurse puts a tube down your throat.
- Regional " � This type of anesthesia blocks pain in a large area of your body, such as an arm, leg, or the lower half of your body. One type is called a "spinal block. " � The doctor puts a small needle in your lower back. The needle goes into the fluid around your spinal cord, which is the bundle of nerves that runs down your back. He or she then injects medicines that block pain and relax your muscles so you do not move. It can be used for surgery done on your legs or inside your belly. Another type is an "epidural. " � The doctor uses a needle to put a small tube (called a "catheter " �) into your lower back, near the nerves around the spinal cord. Some women get epidurals during childbirth. Other people get them to control pain after surgery. If you get regional anesthesia, you might be awake. Or you might get a medicine to make you relax and feel sleepy, called a "sedative. " � Sedatives can be taken as pills or through a small tube put into a vein, called an "IV. " �
- General " � This type of anesthesia makes you unconscious so you can't feel, see, or hear anything during surgery. Some of the medicines are given through an IV. Others are gases that you breathe through a mask that is placed over your mouth and nose. You might also get a breathing tube, which is a tube that goes down the throat and into the lungs. The other end is attached to a machine that helps with breathing. A special doctor called an "anesthesiologist " � gives general anesthesia.
What does an anesthesiologist do? " � An anesthesiologist will meet with you before your surgery and ask you many questions, including: � �
- Do you have any health problems?
- Do you have any dental problems, such as loose teeth or false teeth?
- What medicines do you take, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements?
- Do you smoke, drink alcohol, or use any illegal drugs?
- Do you have any allergies to foods or medicines?
- Have you or any of your relatives ever had a reaction to anesthesia medicines?
The type of anesthesia you get depends on: � �
- Your answers to the questions above
- The type of surgery or procedure you are having
In some cases, your surgeon might want to use a certain type of anesthesia. And in some cases, you might have a choice between different types of anesthesia. � �
Your anesthesiologist will also tell you how your anesthesia will be given and answer any questions you have. He or she will carefully check your breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate during the procedure to make sure you stay pain free. If you have general anesthesia, your anesthesiologist also makes sure you stay unconscious. � �
Can I wake up during general anesthesia? " � It is rare to wake up during general anesthesia. Your anesthesiologist checks on your reactions during the surgery and adjusts the medicines to keep you from waking up. � �
But it is impossible to guess exactly how every different person will react to anesthesia medicines. Some people are more likely to wake up during general anesthesia. They include: � �
- Children
- People who drink large amounts of alcohol
- People who take medicines to treat anxiety, called "benzodiazepines " � or certain medicines to treat pain, called "opioids " �
- People who get certain types of surgeries
Are there any side effects from anesthesia? " � Each type of anesthesia has side effects. If you have a spinal block or epidural, you might feel numb for a short time after the surgery or procedure. You also might have trouble urinating. In rare cases, people bleed or get an infection where the needle went into their body. These problems usually go away within a few days. � �
When you wake up from general anesthesia, you will likely feel a little groggy or confused. Other side effects can include: � �
- Feeling sick to your stomach (nausea) and throwing up (vomiting) " � Your doctor can give you medicines for this problem.
- A sore throat " � This can happen if you had a breathing tube. It usually gets better soon.
In rare cases, people have trouble breathing during surgery and general anesthesia. If this happens, you might need a procedure called a "tracheostomy. " � For this procedure, the surgeon cuts a hole in your neck and inserts a tube into your throat to help you breathe. � �
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. � �
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. � �
Topic 16246 Version 1.0 � �
Release: 22.8 - C22.206 � �
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