Anaesthesia
Anaesthesia
Anaesthesia (pronounced: /ˌænɪsˈθiːziə/), also spelled anesthesia, is a state of controlled, temporary loss of sensation or awareness that is induced for medical purposes. It may include analgesia (relief from or prevention of pain), paralysis (muscle relaxation), amnesia (loss of memory), or unconsciousness. A patient under the effects of anaesthetic drugs is referred to as being anesthetized.
Etymology
The term "anaesthesia" is derived from the Greek words "an-" (without) and "aesthesis" (sensation). It was first used by the Greek physician Dioscorides in the 1st century AD to describe the narcotic effect of the plant mandragora.
Types of Anaesthesia
There are several types of anaesthesia, and a patient may be anesthetized locally or globally:
- Local anaesthesia: Numbs a small, specific area of the body (such as a tooth, area of the skin). The patient stays conscious but free from pain.
- Regional anaesthesia: Blocks pain in an area of the body, such an arm or leg. A common type of regional anaesthesia is epidural anaesthesia.
- General anaesthesia: Affects the whole body. The patient is unconscious and has no awareness or other sensations. There are several types of general anaesthesia, including intravenous anaesthesia and inhalation anaesthesia.
Related Terms
- Analgesia: Relief from or prevention of pain.
- Paralysis: Loss of muscle function in part of your body.
- Amnesia: Loss of memories, such as facts, information and experiences.
- Unconsciousness: State of being unaware and unable to respond to any stimuli, including pain.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Anaesthesia
- Wikipedia's article - Anaesthesia
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