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Surprising local anesthetics: Why do their names end in '-caine'?
In the medical world, there are many categories of anesthetics, among which local anesthetics have attracted much attention due to their unique properties and effectiveness. Not only can these drugs make parts of the body lose feeling, they can also allow procedures such as surgery to be performed without altering consciousness. Curiously, why do almost all of these drug names end with "-caine"? This article will explore this interesting phenomenon as well as the different types and mechanisms of operation of local anesthetics.
The naming of local anesthetics is not only a rule, but also a historical witness, recording the evolution of this type of drugs in medical treatment.
Types of local anesthetics
Local anesthetics are generally divided into two classes: esters and amines. Ester anesthetics, such as procaine and tetracaine, are generally unstable in aqueous solution and are rapidly metabolized by cholinesterase in the body, whereas amine anesthetics, such as lidocaine, Lidocaine and Bupivacaine have longer storage lives and more stable properties. The main mechanism of action of these two classes of anesthetic drugs is to prevent the transmission of nerve impulses by unidirectionally blocking sodium channels in nerve fibers.
Local anesthetics have a common feature at the end of their names, "-caine," which indicates the similarity of the chemical structure of this class of drugs.
How local anesthetics work
All local anesthetics need to have their molecular structure fixed in order to effectively enter neurons. In this process, anesthetics work by reversibly binding to sodium channels inside nerve fibers, preventing sodium from entering the cell, thereby stabilizing the cell membrane and preventing the propagation of the action potential. This action can effectively locally paralyze a specific area without affecting the patient's consciousness.
Application of local anesthetics
Local anesthetics are used in a wide range of applications, from simple dental procedures to more complex surgical procedures. It is worth mentioning that the application of local anesthetics is not limited to injection, but also includes application and surface use, which makes it play an important role in dermatology and emergency medicine.
Local anesthesia plays a role in surgery that can be compared to a "quiet hero", invisible but indispensable.
Safety and side effects of local anesthetics
Although local anesthetics are widely used in medicine, they still have certain safety issues. Although most patients do not experience severe reactions, some people may experience allergic reactions or systemic toxicity after using these drugs. Therefore, anesthesiologists need to fully understand the indications and contraindications when using local anesthetics.Moreover, the choice of local anesthetic also depends on the characteristics of the surgery and the specific condition of the patient. Compared with esters, amine anesthetics are more commonly used in group surgery, epidural anesthesia and nerve blocks. The long-lasting analgesia they bring greatly shortens postoperative recovery.
Timely and effective anesthesia during surgery can improve patient comfort and shorten recovery time, which is the basic responsibility of anesthesiologists.
The future of anesthetics
With the advancement of technology, research on local anesthetics is also constantly developing. The continuous emergence of new drug ingredients and comprehensive application strategies has made anesthesia medicine gradually move in a safer and more effective direction. These changes not only improve the safety of surgery, but also further ensure the patient's postoperative recovery.
Today, the use of local anesthetics has become an indispensable part of the medical system. With the introduction of new technologies, will there be a "new generation" of anesthetic drugs in the future that will further change our anesthesia practice?
