General anesthesia

← Back to Library

Top of the page

General anesthesia

Anesthesia is a way to control pain using anesthetic medicine. General anesthesia, which can be injected into a vein or inhaled, affects the entire body and makes the person unconscious.

A person under general anesthesia is completely unaware of what is going on and does not feel pain during the surgery or procedure. Anesthesia interrupts the pain signals between a person's nerve endings and the brain. The health professional administering the anesthesia monitors the person's condition throughout the procedure.

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Explore the Full Health and Wellness Library

Looking for easy to understand information you can trust? The health and wellness content is created and reviewed by clinicians to ensure accuracy. We suggest you use this resource as research for conversations with your doctor or those you care about.

Explore the Library

Community and Health Events

We regularly host free events to help you stay informed, connected, and inspired. We offer local in-person gatherings and virtual sessions you can attend from the comfort of home. View our calendar for all upcoming events.

Explore all Events