EXPERT
Austin Stephenson
Anesthesiologist
Dr. Austin Stephenson is an anesthesiologist practicing in Knoxville, TN. Dr. Stephenson ensures the safety of patients who are about to undergo surgery. Anestesiologists specialize in general anesthesia, which will (put the patient to sleep), sedation, which will calm the patient or make him or her unaware of the situation, and regional anesthesia, which just numbs a specific part of the body. As an anesthesiologist, Dr. Stephenson also might help manage pain after an operation.
15 years
Experience
Austin Stephenson
- Knoxville, TN
- Sewanee
- Accepting new patients
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Does alcohol affect local anesthetic?
Chronic alcohol use that has affected the liver and its ability to metabolize medications can cause delayed metabolism of local anesthetics causing a prolonged effect. Acute alcohol READ MORE
Chronic alcohol use that has affected the liver and its ability to metabolize medications can cause delayed metabolism of local anesthetics causing a prolonged effect. Acute alcohol intoxication if severe enough to affect the liver can cause a similar effect.
Is topical anesthetic effective?
Yes topical anesthesia is effective. Depends on for what purpose as to how effective, but generally speaking yes it works well.
What type of sedation is used for an MRI?
If sedation is needed for an MRI, by mouth long-acting anxiolytics are the best choice for sedation. You don’t want to be over sedated and have emergency airway complications arise. READ MORE
If sedation is needed for an MRI, by mouth long-acting anxiolytics are the best choice for sedation. You don’t want to be over sedated and have emergency airway complications arise.
Can I be put to sleep while pregnant?
While general anesthesia should be avoided for elective surgeries during pregnancy, for urgent or emergent cases, yes you can be put to sleep for surgery, preferably in the second READ MORE
While general anesthesia should be avoided for elective surgeries during pregnancy, for urgent or emergent cases, yes you can be put to sleep for surgery, preferably in the second trimester. The first trimester is when organs are developing and the third trimester carries a higher risk of preterm labor.
How long does it take to fall asleep with anesthesia?
From the time the anesthetic is administered through the IV it takes about 30 seconds to be completely asleep.
How soon can you walk after dental anesthesia?
It’s variable from person to person how long it will take to regain your ability to walk without staggering, but for the most part you should be able to walk in about an hour after READ MORE
It’s variable from person to person how long it will take to regain your ability to walk without staggering, but for the most part you should be able to walk in about an hour after the procedure is over.
How do you anesthetize a finger?
A finger can be anesthesetized by performing a digital block where local anesthetic is injected on both sides of the base of the finger.
What is a ring block in anesthesia?
A ring block describes the block used to numb up a digit for surgery. Local anesthetic is injected in a circular fashion around the digit to numb the nerve supplying that digit. READ MORE
A ring block describes the block used to numb up a digit for surgery. Local anesthetic is injected in a circular fashion around the digit to numb the nerve supplying that digit.
Is there an alternative to anesthesia?
This really depends on the type of surgery you are having. If the surgery can be done under a regional anesthesia, like a peripheral nerve block where an extremity can be numbed, READ MORE
This really depends on the type of surgery you are having. If the surgery can be done under a regional anesthesia, like a peripheral nerve block where an extremity can be numbed, then minimal if any anesthesia can be administered and you can safely undergo surgery. Some surgeries like abdominal surgery, heart, lung, etc., require anesthesia.
Are opioids used for anesthesia?
Opioids are usually a part of a balanced anesthetic, which includes using medicines from different classes that work on different receptors to achieve anesthesia and pain relief. READ MORE
Opioids are usually a part of a balanced anesthetic, which includes using medicines from different classes that work on different receptors to achieve anesthesia and pain relief. They don’t have to be used but it becomes more difficult without their use to provide a complete anesthetic.
Are there narcotics in anesthesia?
While a balanced anesthetic includes the use of opioids, the actually drugs or gas used to induce or maintain anesthesia do not contain narcotics.
Does dental anesthesia sedate you completely?
Most often patients don’t remember anything from anesthesia used for dental procedures, and some people may remember a detail about conversation that took place during the procedure. READ MORE
Most often patients don’t remember anything from anesthesia used for dental procedures, and some people may remember a detail about conversation that took place during the procedure. This is by no means a general anesthetic like one would have for a bigger surgery. Yes you are completely sedated to answer your question, but it is not necessary to be as deep as for other more invasive procedures.
Does anesthesia have side effects?
For a healthy 18 year old it is safe to say that a safe anesthetic can be expected with minimal side effects. The odds of any long lasting effects from anesthesia are exceedingly READ MORE
For a healthy 18 year old it is safe to say that a safe anesthetic can be expected with minimal side effects. The odds of any long lasting effects from anesthesia are exceedingly rare.
What happens if you're allergic to anesthesia?
Typically one is not allergic to anesthesia. You might be allergic to one or a few of the many drugs given during the course of an anesthetic, but there are so many options for READ MORE
Typically one is not allergic to anesthesia. You might be allergic to one or a few of the many drugs given during the course of an anesthetic, but there are so many options for anesthesia that most likely a safe and effective anesthetic can be administered if the patient is allergic to some drug given during a previous anesthetic.
Is spinal anesthesia better than general?
There is no evidence that one is safer than the other for the average healthy patient. Some certain health conditions can make one more preferable over the other but generally READ MORE
There is no evidence that one is safer than the other for the average healthy patient. Some certain health conditions can make one more preferable over the other but generally speaking outcomes are the same. With spinal anesthesia less anesthetic can be given so the recovery time is less. This is the benefit that leads most people to choose spinal anesthesia if it’s an option for the patient.
How do you give topical anesthesia?
Topical anesthesia refers to local anesthesia applied to the skin. This can come in the form of a cream or sometimes a spray.
How do you know if you are allergic to local anesthesia?
You would know you were allergic to local anesthetics if after receiving them you have symptoms of an allergic reaction such as facial swelling, difficulty breathing, wheezing, READ MORE
You would know you were allergic to local anesthetics if after receiving them you have symptoms of an allergic reaction such as facial swelling, difficulty breathing, wheezing, widespread rash all over your body, etc.
What happens when you go under dental anesthesia?
Inhaled nitrous oxide and intravenous sedation such as versed and fentanyl can be used alone or in combination to achieve a level of anesthesia sufficient to perform dental surgery. READ MORE
Inhaled nitrous oxide and intravenous sedation such as versed and fentanyl can be used alone or in combination to achieve a level of anesthesia sufficient to perform dental surgery.
Is regional anesthesia safe?
Regional anesthesia is very safe. The main risks are bleeding, infection, and damage to nearby structures. Bleeding and damage to nearby structures are essentially negligible with READ MORE
Regional anesthesia is very safe. The main risks are bleeding, infection, and damage to nearby structures. Bleeding and damage to nearby structures are essentially negligible with the use of ultrasound guidance for nerve blocks. Sterile technique minimizes the risk of infection.
What kind of anesthesia is used for shoulder arthroscopy?
You will typically receive a general anesthetic with a breathing tube and get an interscalene block before surgery.
