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Anesthesia
If you are having surgery, your doctor will give you a drug called an anesthetic. Anesthetics reduce or prevent pain. There are four main types.
- Local: numbs one small area of the body. You stay awake and alert.
- Conscious or intravenous (IV) sedation: uses a mild sedative to relax you and pain medicine to relieve pain. You stay awake but may not remember the procedure afterwards.
- Regional anesthesia: blocks pain in an area of the body, such an arm or leg. Epidural anesthesia, which is sometimes used during childbirth, is a type of regional anesthesia.
- General anesthesia: affects your whole body. You go to sleep and feel nothing. You have no memory of the procedure afterwards.
The type of anesthesia your doctor chooses depends on many factors. These include the procedure you are having and your current health.
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Start Here
- Anesthesia Basics(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
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General Anesthesia
(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
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Overviews
- Anesthesia Experience(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
- General Anesthesia(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Types of Anesthesia(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
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Latest News
- General Anesthesia Not Linked to Raised Risk for Dementia(05/01/2013, HealthDay)
- Dental Anesthesia May Interrupt Wisdom Teeth Growth(04/05/2013, HealthDay)
- More Health Care Professionals Abusing Anesthesia Drug(03/26/2013, HealthDay)
- More News on Anesthesia
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Alternative Therapy
- Herbal Products and Your Anesthestic(American Association of Nurse Anesthetists) - PDF
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Specific Conditions
- Anesthesia for Ambulatory Surgery(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
- Anesthesia for Same-Day or Outpatient Surgery(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
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Epidural Anesthesia(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
- Hand Surgery: Anesthesia(American Society for Surgery of the Hand)
- JAMA Patient Page: General Anesthesia(American Medical Association) - PDF
- JAMA Patient Page: Local Anesthesia(American Medical Association) - PDF
- JAMA Patient Page: Regional Anesthesia(American Medical Association) - PDF
- Medically Induced Coma vs. Sedation(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
- Office-Based Anesthesia and Surgery(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
- Sedation Analgesia(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
- Surgery While the Patient is Awake(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
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Related Issues
- After Anesthesia: The Patient's Active Role Assists in Recovery(American Association of Nurse Anesthetists) - PDF
- Anesthesia & Down Syndrome(National Down Syndrome Society)
- Anesthesia & Me Checklist(American Society of Anesthesiologists) - PDF
- Before Anesthesia: The Patient's Active Role Makes a Difference(American Association of Nurse Anesthetists) - PDF
- Obesity and Anesthesia(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
- Preanesthesia Questionnaire(American Association of Nurse Anesthetists)
- Propofol As Anesthesia(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
- Q&A: Anesthesia Awareness During Surgery(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
- Role of the Anesthesiologist(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
- Spinal Headaches(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Tutorials
- Epidural Anesthesia(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
- General Anesthesia(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
- Return to top
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Videos
- Herbal Supplements and Anesthesia(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
- Pediatric Anesthesia(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
- Stop Smoking for Surgery(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Anesthesia(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Anesthesia
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Research
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Anesthesia(National Institute of General Medical Sciences)
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Anesthesia
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Organizations
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Children
- Anesthesia: What to Expect (For Parents)(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
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Pediatric Anesthesia
(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
- Pediatric Obesity and Anesthesia FAQs(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
- Preparing Your Child for Anesthesia(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
- What Is a Pediatric Anesthesiologist?(American Academy of Pediatrics)
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Teenagers
- Anesthesia -- What to Expect (For Teens)(Nemours Foundation)
- Anesthesia Basics(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
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Seniors
- Geriatric Anesthesia Q&A(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
- Tips for Seniors and Caregivers Prior to Surgery(American Society of Anesthesiologists)
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Patient Handouts
- Conscious sedation for surgical procedures
- Also available in Spanish
- Epidural block
- Also available in Spanish
- General anesthesia
- Also available in Spanish
- Spinal and epidural anesthesia
- Also available in Spanish
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You may also be interested in these related encyclopedia pages:
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Anesthesia - Multiple Languages
