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Anesthesia or '''anaesthesia''' (see Spelling Differences ; from Greek ''αν-'' ''an-'' “without” + ''αἲσθησις'' ''aisthesis'' “sensation”) has traditionally meant the condition of having the feeling of Pain and other Sensation s blocked. This allows patients to undergo Surgery and other procedures without the distress and pain they would otherwise experience. The word was coined by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. in 1846 . Another definition is a "reversible lack of awareness", whether this is a total lack of awareness (e.g. a general anaesthestic) or a lack of awareness of a part of a the body such as a spinal anaesthetic or another nerve block would cause.

Today, the term general anesthesia in its most general form can include:
  • sensation of pain;

  • Hypnosis: producing Unconsciousness ;

  • formation;

  • Relaxation : preventing unwanted movement or muscle tone;

  • Obtundation of reflexes, preventing exaggerated autonomic reflexes.


Patients undergoing surgery usually undergo preoperative evaluation by an anesthesiologist. It includes gathering history of previous anesthetics, and any other medical problems by the anesthesiologist MD, physical examination, ordering required blood work and consultations prior to surgery.

There are several forms of anesthesia. The following forms refer to states achieved by anesthetics working on the brain:
  Contribution Continuum Of Depth Of Sedation Definition Of General Anesthesia And Levels Of Sedation/Analgesia
  Title American Society of Anesthesiologists
  Publisher ASA
  Date 2004-10-27
  Year 2004