Definition of Anesthesia
By definition Anesthesia is a medical term that refers to the temporary loss of sensation, including pain, which is induced by the administration of certain drugs. It’s commonly used during surgical procedures to ensure that patients do not feel pain. There are different types of anesthesia:
- Local anesthesia: Numbs a specific part of the body like the types of dental anesthesia.
- Regional anesthesia: Blocks pain in a larger area, like below the waist.
- General anesthesia: Makes the patient completely unconscious and insensitive to pain.
The term originates from the Greek words “an-” meaning without, and “aisthēsis” meaning sensation. Anesthesia is administered and monitored by healthcare professionals known as anesthesiologists, or in some cases the dentists during tooth extraction, to ensure safety and effectiveness during medical procedures.
ACALL
Analgesic (no pain)
Complete paralysis or muscle relaxation (no voluntary or
involuntary movement)
Amnesia (no memory)
Loss of consciousness (hypnosis)
Loss of reflex response (no sensations)