How Many Different Types of Anesthesia Are There?

Anesthesia is used to reduce pain or help you fall asleep while you’re undergoing surgery or other more invasive medical procedures that might otherwise cause pain or discomfort.

Read on to learn more about the four main types of anesthesia and what risks to consider for each type of anesthesia.

What are the types of anesthesia?

There are four main kinds of anesthetics that a doctor or surgeon might use:

• local anesthesia
• general anesthesia
• regional anesthesia
• intravenous (IV) or monitored sedation

Local anesthesia

Local anesthesia is performed by applying a substance to a specific area of your body to minimize your nerve sensation in that area while keeping you awake.

Local anesthesia helps reduce the feelings of pressure or pain that can happen when a medical professional is performing a procedure on that area.

Local anesthesia can be applied topically to your body. It can also be injected into the skin to numb an area when tissues or nearby organs are involved.

Regional anesthesia

Regional anesthesia is done by injecting a nerve with a substance that stops that nerve from allowing pain signals to be sent from that specific area to the brain.

Some common types of regional anesthesia include the following:

• Nerve blocks target a specific nerve and stop pain in the area for which the nerve produces sensation.
• Spinal blocks involve injection of an anesthetic between your vertebrae directly into your spinal cord to reduce pain and sensation below your neck while also allowing you to stay awake.
• Epidurals involve injecting an anesthetic into your spinal cord to reduce pain and sensations in the lower half of your body.

General anesthesia

General anesthesia is performed by giving you an anesthetic through an intravenous (IV) line, face mask, or breathing tube to reduce the activity of your central nervous system and brain.

This type of anesthesia makes you fall unconscious so that you don’t feel any pain or remember the procedure or surgery you’re undergoing.

General anesthesia is usually given to you by a trained anesthesiologist. It’s associated with more risks and side effects, so it’s only given during major surgeries or procedures.

IV/monitored sedation

Intravenous (IV) sedation — sometimes called monitored anesthesia care (MAC), conscious sedation, or twilight sleep — keeps you calm, relaxed, and sleepy during a procedure. You’re not fully unconscious when you receive IV sedation, but your pain and awareness are reduced.

Some common procedures where you may receive IV sedation include:

• endoscopy
• long, involved dental work
• bronchoscopy
• surgery on your eyes
• surgery on your nose or throat
• minor heart surgeries
• brain surgery

IV sedation works similarly to general anesthesia, but it has fewer risks and doesn’t require as long a recovery. This can allow you to go home sooner after a surgery or procedure.

What are the risks of having anesthesia?

Less invasive types of anesthesia, such as local anesthesia, have very few risks. The effects of local anesthesia wear off quickly after a procedure.

General anesthesia has the most risks of all the types of anesthesia. Risks of anesthesia include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• dry mouth
• sore throat from a breathing tube
• body aches
• itchiness
• chills
• shivering
• confusion
• trouble focusing
• trouble urinating
• dizziness
• long-term memory problems or memory loss

Very rare side effects of anesthesia of all types can include:

• stroke
• heart attack
• life threatening allergic reactions

Frequently asked questions about the types of anesthesia

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the types of anesthesia.

What is the most common anesthesia?

General anesthesia is the most common anesthesia used for major surgeries or procedures. Propofol (Diprivan) is the most common agent used to put you to sleep during a major procedure.

Local anesthesia is very common in dental work and minor outpatient procedures.

What type of anesthesia is used for general surgery?

General anesthesia is often used for general surgery. Your surgeon might use an IV sedative for surgeries or procedures that aren’t as long or invasive, such as endoscopies .

Who administers anesthesia?

Trained anesthesiologists usually administer general anesthesia or IV sedation before and during procedures.

Trained medical professionals of all sorts can be trained to use regional anesthesia or local anesthesia, including nurses or dental hygienists.

How do you prepare for anesthesia?

There’s no prep for local anesthesia. In some cases, a medical professional may use alcohol or another sterilization method to clean the area before delivering the anesthesia.

General anesthesia requires more preparation, including:

• meeting with your doctor or surgeon beforehand to learn what to expect
• not eating or drinking alcohol 6 to 8 hours before receiving anesthesia
• stopping smoking (if you smoke)
• making sure you’re in good overall health
• letting your medical team know if you’re taking birth control, are pregnant, or breastfeeding

How long does anesthesia last?

General anesthesia lasts for a few hours until the surgery or procedure is done. It wears off a few minutes after an anesthesiologist stops administering it, but it may take you 1 to 2 hours to feel fully awake after general anesthesia begins to wear off.

Other types of anesthesia also typically wear off after a few hours. Regional anesthesia can last for several days, depending on the type that’s given, because it’s used to relieve chronic pain.

Takeaway

Different types of anesthesia have different purposes.

Your overall health might help your medical team decide which type is best for you, depending on what procedure you’re having.

Speak with a medical professional before you receive anesthesia to help you understand what to expect before, during, and after a procedure.