Anaesthesia means “loss of sensation”. Medicines that cause anaesthesia are called anaesthetics.

Anaesthetics are used during painful examinations and surgical procedures. They prevent the nerve signals that keep us awake and conscious or that transmit pain from reaching our brain. They switch off sensation in certain areas of the body and induce sleep.

Many medical procedures are performed under anaesthesia. Local anaesthesia and general anaesthesia are two commonly used types of anaesthesia. General anaesthesia induces an artificial sleep. In this state of induced sleep, procedures can be performed without you feeling anything.

Once the anaesthetic has worn off, the nerve signals can reach your brain again and consciousness and sensation return.