With all of the anesthetics and devices available in the market today, anesthesiologists must make informed decisions about choosing the best treatment for each patient. Pain and stress affect the body, both physically and psychologically. Therefore, the role of the anesthesiologist is crucial in providing comfort, while managing a patient’s vital signs. As physicians, they have to take into account the patient’s medical history and manage medical complications. The type of anesthesia they administer depends on the patient’s condition and the procedure that is being carried out. The different types of anesthesia include:

General anesthesia is administered intravenously or through inhalation. This method of anesthesia produces total unconsciousness affecting the entire body. Drugs used for general anesthesia act as hypnotics, painkillers, and muscle relaxants. General anesthesia blocks a patient’s memory during surgery, producing what is also known as amnesia. Patients under general anesthesia are unconscious, hence their brains do not perceive any pain signals.

Regional anesthesia is administered close to the nerves to interrupt the transmission of nerve impulses that affect touch, pain, and motor functions in a large area to be treated. The anesthetic blocks pain signals from reaching the brain. This method of anesthesia does not produce unconsciousness. However, intravenous (IV) sedation may be used to help the patient relax by making them feel sleepy. Examples of regional anesthesia include spinal, epidural, and caudal anesthesia.

Local anesthesia is administered through sprays, ointments, or injections. It numbs a small part of the body by temporarily blocking the transmission of nerve impulses and motor function in a specific area. The patient, however, remains fully alert. Local anesthesia is usually administered for minor procedures, such as dental work, skin biopsies, or stitching a wound.