Anaesthesia is a process whereby sensation is removed from the body.

In medical terms, anaesthesia is normally administered so that patients can undergo potentially painful procedures, such as an operation or during childbirth, without experiencing any pain.

Types of anaesthesia:

• Local – an agent, such as a cream, is applied to an area of the body

• Regional – specific nerves are blocked to an area

• General – total loss of consciousness

How is an anaesthetic administered?

Anaesthetic comes in various forms:

• Gel form – a local area of skin is numbed

• Injection – a local nerve is numbed

• Intravenous injection – anaesthesia is administered through a vein into the body

• Gas – a patient inhales a gas to put them to sleep

For general anaesthetic, either an intravenous injection or a gas will be used to administer the anaesthesia depending on the length and type of procedure.

Dr Daman Mulhi, Anaesthetic Consultant, NHS
Specialist in anaesthesia, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and public health awareness