The different types of anesthesia are broadly described as:
Local anesthesia (agents, either topical or injectable, given to temporarily block paฤฑn in a specific part of the bรธdy) in which the medication only removes sensation from one part of your bรธdy, but you are not unconscious.
Regional anesthesia (injected agents, to numb a portion of the bรธdy)
General anesthesia (an agent, given either by mask or an IV line, to induce unconsciousness) General anesthesia is highly effective in keeping you unaware of your surgical procedure.
Monitored anesthesia care (also known as "twilight sleep")
It can be given intravenously (IV, by injection into the vein). The medication works quickly and typically puts you to sleep in under a minute. Medicines administered via the bloodstream begin to take effect quickly, often within minutes. Most people feel very relaxed at the start of IV sedation as the medicines begin to take effect. Many people remember the feeling of relaxation and waking up after the procedure is over but nothing in between.
There are different levels of IV sedation, and you may or may not be awake during the procedure. Your anesthesia team will adjust your sedation level throughout the procedure.
One other type of anesthesia apart from general is called MAC (monitored anesthesia care), where you are kept sleepy and given paฤฑn medication but still breathe independently.
Anesthesia can provide sedation ranging from slight (relaxed and mildly sleepy) to deep sleep.