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A 28-year-old member asked:
Why doesn't local anesthesia spread to the whole body?
3 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Scott Mackinnonanswered
Anesthesiology 35 years experience
"Local" is why: "local" anesthesia does just that-a small dose of a numbing agent is injected near a nerve, that, when in a certain concentration, blocks impulses through that nerve. The result is numbness and weakness in the distribution of that nerve. This resolves as the local anesthetic is 'washed out" by blood and the localized concentration now will decrease-allowing the nerve to work again.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. David Edsallanswered
Anesthesiology 49 years experience
It does: All drugs sread out inside the body. Imagine a pinch of slat on ur finger. It will taste salty. Nwo spread over all ur body . No more salty taste. Increase the pinch a lot and it will be salty. To nmb a nurve just put a pinch near it. When it spreads out no more numb. Increase the dose 100x and the body is numb all over but first you get heart changes and seizures.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Placement: Local anesthetics are placed directly around nerves, or in limited areas of the body. Once placed there is no mechanism to transport the medications. To make it around the body a drug needs to be placed in the bloodstream.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 1, 2018
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