Overview

General anesthesia is a combination of medications that put you in a sleep-like state before a surgery or other medical procedure. Under general anesthesia, you don't feel pain because you're completely unconscious. General anesthesia usually uses a combination of intravenous drugs and inhaled gasses (anesthetics).

General anesthesia is more than just being asleep, though it will likely feel that way to you. But the anesthetized brain doesn't respond to pain signals or reflexes.

An anesthesiologist is a specially trained doctor who specializes in anesthesia. While you're under anesthesia, the anesthesiologist monitors your body's vital functions and manages your breathing.

In many hospitals, an anesthesiologist and a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) work together during your procedure.