Procaine facts for kids
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Procaine is a special kind of analgesic drug. It helps to stop pain, like when you get a shot or need dental work. It was one of the first man-made medicines that could be injected to numb a part of the body.
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What is Procaine?
Procaine is a type of medicine called a local anesthetic. This means it numbs a small area of your body so you don't feel pain there. It does not make you fall asleep like general anesthesia. Doctors and dentists use it to make procedures more comfortable.
How Procaine Works
Procaine works by blocking nerve signals in the area where it's injected. Nerves send pain messages to your brain. When procaine blocks these signals, your brain doesn't get the pain message, so you don't feel anything.
The History of Procaine
Procaine was first created in 1905. A German scientist named Alfred Einhorn (1857-1917) invented it. He gave it the name Novacaine. This name comes from the Latin word novus, which means "new." The "caine" part is a common ending for medicines that numb pain.
Procaine was very important because it was the first pain-killer that could be given as a shot. Before procaine, doctors had fewer options to numb pain during minor surgeries or dental work.
Why Procaine is Not Used as Much Today
Even though procaine was a big step forward, it's not used as often now. This is because newer and safer pain-killing drugs have been developed. These newer medicines often work better and last longer.
However, procaine does have one special benefit. It can help to reduce bleeding in the area where it's used. This is something other pain-killers don't always do.
Images for kids
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How procaine is made in a lab.
See also
In Spanish: Procaína para niños
