All about Anaesthesia

Most people experience an anaesthetic at some time in their lives and some undergo anaesthesia many times. It is normal for people to be uneasy about having an anaesthetic. Modern anaesthesia is very safe and modern surgery would not be possible without developments in anaesthesia.

This website explains what anaesthesia is, how anaesthetics are given, and how anaesthetists care for you. You can also learn how anaesthetics affect you and how you can affect your anaesthetic.

How to Use this Website

You can read the stories of typical patients as they make their way to and from the Operating Room.

Or, you can select any of the topics in the top Menu.

A Note on Pronunciation

In all of these words, the ‘th’ is pronounced as in ‘think’, not as in ‘these’.

∙ anaesthesia is pronounced ‘an-ess-THEEZ-ya’.

∙ anaesthetic is pronounced ‘an-ess-THETT-ik’.

∙ anaesthetist is pronounced ‘an-ESS-the tist’ or ‘an-EES-the-tist’.

∙ anaesthesiologist and anesthesiologist are both pronounced ‘AN-ess-THEEZ-ee-OL-o-jist’.