Anaesthetics - What is it?

Local, regional, general and sedation?

Essentially an anaesthetic is anything that reduces sensation. Local anaesthetics can reduce sensation (and pain) in a small area for 2-4 hrs. Regional anaesthetics reduce sensation in a larger area (by blocking nerves with drugs) and usually last 4 -24hrs. General anaesthesia reduces sensation in the brain resulting in unconsciousness. Sedation is more of a spectrum of reduced brain sensation falling just short of unconsciousness. However many people cannot remember anything whilst sedated. although this depends upon the depth of sedation and the drugs used.