Anesthesia & Clinical Research
Open Access

Anesthesia

Anesthesia or anaesthesia (from Greek "without sensation") is a state of controlled, temporary loss of sensation or awareness that is induced for medical purposes. It may include some or all of analgesia (relief from or prevention of pain), paralysis (muscle relaxation), amnesia (loss of memory), and unconsciousness. A patient under the effects of anesthetic drugs is referred to as being anesthetized.

compression anesthesia loss of sensation resulting from pressure on a nerve. crossed anesthesia loss of sensation on one side of the face and loss of pain and temperature sense on the opposite side of the body. dissociated anesthesia (dissociation anesthesia) loss of perception of certain stimuli while that of others remains intact.

General anesthesia works by interrupting nerve signals in your brain and body. It prevents your brain from processing pain and from remembering what happened during your surgery. A specially trained doctor or nurse, called an anesthesiologist, gives you general anesthesia and cares for you before, during, and after your surgery. A nurse anesthetist and other team members may also be involved in your care. Your anesthesia team will check your breathing and other body functions while you're in surgery.