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Classification of anesthetic drugs: Do you know what aminoamides and aminoesters are?
In the medical community, the use of anesthetic drugs has taught us that physical pain can be controlled independently without rendering the patient unconscious. This type of anesthetic, called local anesthetics (LA), effectively eliminates all sensation, including pain, in a specific part of the body, as opposed to general anesthetics, which eliminate sensation throughout the body and cause unconsciousness. Local anesthetics are often used during surgery to reduce pain or discomfort and, when used on specific nerve pathways, can also induce paralysis. This is because local anesthetics act precisely on pain-sensing nerves, reducing the patient's pain.
There are two types of anesthetic drugs: aminoamide type and aminoester type.
Local anesthetics can be divided into two categories based on their chemical structures: amino amides (such as lidocaine) and amino esters (such as procaine). This classification reflects their chemical composition, with aminoamide anesthetics less likely to cause allergic reactions and therefore more commonly used clinically.
Local anesthetic drugs play an important role in surgeries, diagnostic tests, and the treatment of chronic pain.
Local anesthetics are used for more than just surgery. They can also be used for diagnostic testing (such as bone marrow aspiration), treatment of chronic pain, and even pain relief when inserting intravenous devices. The most common local anesthesia methods include topical anesthesia, infiltration anesthesia, epidural anesthesia, etc. These technologies make medical procedures more humane.
Classification and application of local anesthetics
Based on the duration of action and potency, local anesthetics can be divided into short-acting, medium-acting and long-acting. Short-acting drugs, such as benzocaine, are suitable for brief surgeries; while commonly used long-acting drugs, such as bupivacaine, can provide longer-term pain relief and are especially suitable for the recovery period after surgery.
Different types of local anesthetics are suitable for different medical procedures and patient needs.
Side effects and risks
Although local anesthetics are effective in reducing pain, they are not completely harmless. Side effects may include local edema, tissue bleeding, and drug allergy, which may affect the patient's recovery. Particularly when using aminoester anesthetics, the risk of allergic reactions is low but caution is warranted.
Potential risks and side effects should always be considered when using local anesthetics.
Mechanism of action of anesthetic drugs
Local anesthetics prevent the transmission of signals by stabilizing nerve cell membranes so that they are less likely to depolarize when stimulated. This process is mainly achieved by inhibiting the entry of sodium ions into nerve cells. When the entry of sodium is interrupted, the pain signal cannot be generated, effectively reducing the pain sensation.
The use of local anesthetics allows anesthesiologists to perform precise treatments on specific nerves.
Conclusion
Overall, the development of local anesthetics has brought significant progress to modern medicine, allowing pain during medical procedures to be effectively controlled, and all of this relies on its different classifications and applications. With the continuous development of technology, the use of local anesthetics will become safer and more precise. However, the risks and side effects that come with it cannot be completely ignored. Such considerations make people think more deeply: How should we balance the benefits of anesthetic drugs with the potential harm in the pursuit of reducing pain?
