EXPERT
Dr. Bernard Wittels, M.D., PH.D.
Anesthesiologist
Dr. Bernard Wittels is an anesthesiologist practicing in Evanston, IL. Dr. Wittels 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. Wittels also might help manage pain after an operation.
38 years
Experience
Dr. Bernard Wittels, M.D., PH.D.
- Evanston, IL
- University Of Chicago Div Of Bio Sci Pritzker School Of Medicine
- Accepting new patients
The Silent Killer
She moves in a stealthy manner, makes no sounds, emits no scent, you insist that you don’t know her and you have no reason to be suspicious of anything. Who is this sly culprit?...
Pain-Free Labor and Delivery
Many pregnant women near their delivery date have preconceived notions about the management of their labor and delivery. Some plan a “natural” delivery, some want only intravenous...
How long does it take to feel normal after general anesthesia?
After general anesthesia, you awaken and breathe spontaneously, but may feel a little groggy or disoriented for a few minutes, then you become more alert and oriented over the READ MORE
After general anesthesia, you awaken and breathe spontaneously, but may feel a little groggy or disoriented for a few minutes, then you become more alert and oriented over the next 15-30 minutes. You usually stay in the recovery room for about an hour to receive treatment for any pain or nausea until you are fully awake and comfortable enough to take care of yourself.
What are the side effects of a local anesthetic?
Local anesthetics can cause transient pain and burning when first injected, especially if bupivacaine is used or it is injected too rapidly. The duration of numbness from local READ MORE
Local anesthetics can cause transient pain and burning when first injected, especially if bupivacaine is used or it is injected too rapidly. The duration of numbness from local anesthetics varies considerably. Giving too much local anesthetic can cause numbness or tingling in your lips or gums, ringing in your ears, or even a transient seizure, so the dose must be carefully prescribed.
What surgeries use local anesthesia?
Only minor, small operations, such as removal of skin lesions are done with local anesthesia alone.
Where does your mind go when under anesthesia?
While under general anesthesia, patients usually experience pleasant dreams, but sometimes hidden fears and anxieties become unmasked and patients may express those emotions.
What type of anesthesia is used for vascular surgery?
Vascular surgery involves a wide spectrum of surgical procedures from varicose vein stripping (done with local anesthetic and IV sedation) to repair of a ruptured abdominal aortic READ MORE
Vascular surgery involves a wide spectrum of surgical procedures from varicose vein stripping (done with local anesthetic and IV sedation) to repair of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (done under general anesthesia with invasive monitoring, close hemodynamic control, and possible transfusion of blood products). As a 33 year-old female, you are probably having the more minor procedure with either monitored anesthesia care or a basic general anesthetic. In general, if you describe more specifically the surgery you anticipate, then I can describe more specifically the anesthetic care you may receive.
Is anesthesia hard on the heart?
Most 35 year-old patients have no heart disease and all anesthesiologists do their best to minimize their patients' pain and stress, as well as to maintain normal parameters for READ MORE
Most 35 year-old patients have no heart disease and all anesthesiologists do their best to minimize their patients' pain and stress, as well as to maintain normal parameters for blood pressure, pulse, temperature, oxygenation and ventilation, so that there are no stressors on the heart.
How likely is it to die under anesthesia?
Death is exceedingly rare with anesthesia, and when it occurs, it is usually due to a blatant surgical mishap (transecting a major blood vessel), or due to some premorbid condition READ MORE
Death is exceedingly rare with anesthesia, and when it occurs, it is usually due to a blatant surgical mishap (transecting a major blood vessel), or due to some premorbid condition in the patient (severe coronary artery disease, malignant hypertension, etc.). If you are of normal height and weight having a simple outpatient surgery and have no significant medical problems, then the chances of your dying is zero.
Are you conscious under anesthesia?
While under general anesthesia, you are totally unconscious.
Why do you vomit after anesthesia?
Nausea and vomiting are relatively common side effects of inhalational anesthetics and opioids that act on specific brain receptors. Some risk factors predispose to nausea, such READ MORE
Nausea and vomiting are relatively common side effects of inhalational anesthetics and opioids that act on specific brain receptors. Some risk factors predispose to nausea, such as female sex, outpatient surgery, obesity and diabetes, as well as not having an empty stomach or undergoing emergency surgery. Much research has been done on the prevention of nausea and emesis after anesthesia with current recommendations involving the administration of multiple antiemetic agents.
How long does local anesthesia last after vasectomy?
Local anesthetics used during vasectomy may offer pain relief for a maximum of a few hours after surgery.
What type of anesthesia is used for vitrectomy?
Most often, monitored anesthesia care is given for vitrectomy.
What type of anesthesia is used for vasectomy?
Vasectomy can be performed using local anesthesia, monitored anesthesia care, or general anesthesia.
What is the difference between epidural and general anesthesia?
Epidural anesthesia can numb your body from the middle of your chest down to your toes so you can have surgery anywhere in that area without feeling anything but pressure and can READ MORE
Epidural anesthesia can numb your body from the middle of your chest down to your toes so you can have surgery anywhere in that area without feeling anything but pressure and can be awake or asleep for the procedure as well. General anesthesia makes you unconscious for any surgery, but has higher risks for postoperative sore throat, nausea, and vomiting. If you are going to have a cesarean delivery, epidural anesthesia has been found to be 17 times safer than general anesthesia.
Is anesthesia and this medication ok?
Cialis may be associated with lowered blood pressure, especially in the first 2-8 hours after consumption, but there is no evidence of a persistent effect after 24 hours.
What is the safest anesthesia for vascular surgery?
If a 68-year-old patient is scheduled to have vascular surgery, then a preoperative ECG should be obtained, as well as a thorough preoperative history, physical exam, and laboratory READ MORE
If a 68-year-old patient is scheduled to have vascular surgery, then a preoperative ECG should be obtained, as well as a thorough preoperative history, physical exam, and laboratory testing because vascular disease can affect peripheral arteries, coronary arteries and cerebral arteries; thus, patients with peripheral vascular disease often have coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease as well. In most cases, general anesthesia is safest for vascular surgery because it can be lengthy and involve significant blood loss, use of anticoagulants, and need for transfusion of blood products.
What type of anesthesia is used during vascular surgery?
Most often, general anesthesia is used for vascular surgery for three main reasons: 1) vascular surgeries often require administration of anticoagulants that are relatively contraindicated READ MORE
Most often, general anesthesia is used for vascular surgery for three main reasons: 1) vascular surgeries often require administration of anticoagulants that are relatively contraindicated with regional anesthetics, 2) vascular surgery is often lengthy, beyond the time a regional would last, and 3) vascular surgery often involves loss of blood and need for blood transfusion, as well as hypotension that is complicated by regional anesthesia.
Why is spinal anesthesia better than general?
If you are pregnant and expecting to deliver, then regional anesthesia (including spinal and epidural anesthetics) is 17 times safer than general anesthesia for delivery.
