Anesthetic facts for kids

A child being prepared for anesthesia.

An anesthetic (say "an-es-THET-ik") is a special medicine. It helps stop pain. This medicine can make a part of your body numb. Or, it can make you go completely to sleep. Doctors use anesthetics during surgery or other medical procedures. This way, patients do not feel pain or discomfort.

The use of an anesthetic is called anesthesia (say "an-es-THEE-zhuh"). The word "anesthesia" comes from ancient Greek words. It means "without feeling" or "unable to feel."

What is Anesthesia?

Anesthesia is a way to keep you from feeling pain. It also helps you stay calm during medical procedures. This is very important for operations. Without anesthesia, surgery would be very painful. It would also be hard for doctors to do their work.

How Anesthesia Works

Anesthetics work by blocking nerve signals. These signals normally tell your brain about pain. When the signals are blocked, your brain does not get the pain message. This means you do not feel anything.

There are different ways to give anesthetics:

• Rubbed on the skin: Some anesthetics come as a cream or spray. They numb a small area of skin.
• Injection: A doctor can give you a shot. This numbs a larger area, like an arm or a tooth.
• Gas to breathe: You might breathe a special gas through a mask. This makes you go to sleep for a longer time.

Types of Anesthesia

Doctors choose the type of anesthesia based on the procedure. They also consider your age and health.

Local Anesthesia

Local anesthesia numbs only a small part of your body. You stay awake during the procedure. For example, a dentist might use local anesthesia. This numbs your mouth for a tooth filling. You can still talk and feel pressure, but no pain.

Regional Anesthesia

Regional anesthesia numbs a larger area. This could be an arm, a leg, or the lower half of your body. You might be awake or given medicine to relax. An example is an epidural. This numbs the lower body for childbirth or leg surgery.

General Anesthesia

General anesthesia makes you go completely to sleep. You will not remember anything about the procedure. This type is used for major surgeries. A special doctor called an Anesthesiologist watches you closely. They make sure you are safe and comfortable.

History of Anesthesia

For a long time, people tried to find ways to stop pain during surgery. They used things like alcohol or special plants. But these were not very effective.

The modern anesthetic was developed over time. A very important person in this history was Joseph Lister. He helped make surgery safer. Today, anesthesia is much more advanced. It is very safe when given by trained medical professionals.

The Triad of Anesthesia

Modern anesthesia is quite complex. It often uses a mix of medicines to do three main things. These three tasks are sometimes called the "triad of anesthesia":

• Pain relief: This is the main goal. Anesthetics stop you from feeling pain.
• Sleep or relaxation: For many procedures, you need to be asleep or very relaxed. This helps you stay still and calm.
• Muscle relaxation: Sometimes, doctors need your muscles to be very relaxed. This helps them perform the surgery more easily.

A team of medical experts works together. They make sure you get the right mix of these effects.

Related pages

• Anesthesiologist
• Sedative

See also

In Spanish: Anestésico para niños