About Anesthetics
Anesthetics are used in hospitals and operating rooms to numb the patient in preparation for surgery. Depending on the severity of the surgery, the doctor may call for general anesthesia--which puts the patent straight to sleep--or a more localized anesthetic, which will keep the patient awake, but unable to feel the effects of the surgery.
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General Anesthesia
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Anesthetics are such a powerful, tricky area of chemistry that they require a specialist to handle the administration. This is especially true of general anesthetics, which induce the patient into unconsciousness. When administered properly, the patient will not wake from this deep sleep, even when painful stimulation is induced (as would be the case in any surgery). General anesthetics are usually inhaled or applied intravenously.
Analgesia
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Deep sedation, sometimes known as analgesia, is a cousin to general anesthetics. This process includes putting the patient in a drug-induced states of depressed consciousness, much like general anesthesia. However, the state is not so deep that the patient cannot respond following painful stimulation.
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Moderate Sedation
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Moderate anesthetics are often used in such forms as "sedation dentistry." The drugs are light enough to put the patient in a deeper state of relaxation and depressed consciousness, but the patient will remain awake. That is, they are able to respond to verbal commands.
Minimal Sedation
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Anesthetics, which allow the patient the ability to respond normally with minimal impairment of their concentration and coordination, are considered mild sedation anesthetics. This state is sometimes called anxiolysis.
Types
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Anesthetics for surgery typically come in two types: General and Local. General anesthetics are administered through a gas and are usually identified by their names ending in "ane." Enflurane and halothane are two of the most popular types. Local anesthetic is more of a numbing agent and is usually administered through an injection. These medicines usually end in the suffix "aine." Procaine and lidocaine are two such examples.
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