US Medical Term · procedures
Anesthesia
Anestesia
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Anesthesia |
| Spanish (Español) | Anestesia |
| Chinese (中文) | 麻醉 |
| Korean (한국어) | 마취 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Gây mê/gây tê |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Anesthesia |
| Portuguese (Português) | Anestesia |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การวางยาสลบ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 麻酔 |
What it means
Anesthesia refers to medication used to prevent patients from feeling pain during surgery or other medical procedures. An anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) administers and monitors anesthesia throughout the procedure. Types include general anesthesia (complete unconsciousness), regional anesthesia (numbing a large area of the body), and local anesthesia (numbing a small area). Sedation may also be used to help patients relax or sleep lightly during procedures. The type of anesthesia used depends on the procedure, the patient's health, and their preferences. Before surgery, the anesthesia team will review your medical history, medications, and allergies. You will be given instructions about fasting before the procedure to reduce aspiration risk.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I am nervous about anesthesia — can you tell me what to expect before and during surgery?
Estoy nervioso por la anestesia — ¿puede decirme qué esperar antes y durante la cirugía?
I have a family history of a reaction to anesthesia called malignant hyperthermia — should I be concerned?
Tengo antecedentes familiares de una reacción a la anestesia llamada hipertermia maligna — ¿debo preocuparme?
What medications do I need to stop taking before receiving anesthesia?
¿Qué medicamentos debo dejar de tomar antes de recibir anestesia?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026