Anesthesia (American English) or anaesthesia (British English) is a state of controlled, temporary loss of sensation or awareness that is induced for medical or veterinary purposes.

Different types of anesthesia work in different ways. Some anesthetic medications numb certain parts of your body. Other anesthetics numb your brain so you can sleep through more invasive surgical …

Sep 5, 2025 · Local anesthesia numbs a small part of the body and keeps you awake and alert during procedures. Regional anesthesia numbs a large part of the body and is often used for childbirth. …

May 20, 2025 · Anesthesia is a medical intervention that prevents patients from feeling pain during procedures like surgery, certain screening and diagnostic tests, tissue sample removal (e.g., skin …

Jun 17, 2025 · Anesthesia allows surgical and other interventional procedures to be performed without pain by rapidly and safely producing analgesia, absence of anxiety (or absence of awareness with …

Sep 30, 2025 · Medicine may be given by injection, inhalation, topical lotion, spray, eye drops, or a skin patch. Anesthesia can cause a loss of feeling, awareness, or both. Sedation may be used with …

Jan 17, 2025 · General anesthesia usually uses a combination of medicines given through a vein and inhaled gases. You'll feel as though you're asleep. But general anesthesia does more than put you to …