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...
Kidney stones - hydronephrosis - anesthesia
The answer to this question depends on several factors, including what methods the surgeon will use to remove or dissolve the stones, whether the surgeon will agree to a spinal READ MORE
The answer to this question depends on several factors, including what methods the surgeon will use to remove or dissolve the stones, whether the surgeon will agree to a spinal anesthetic with sedation to do the procedure, and whether the anesthesiologist can administer a spinal anesthetic that will last for the entire procedure whose duration may be unpredictable. I suggest a conference between the three of you to discuss whether your desired anesthetic can or cannot be administered and the rationale involved (which may involve individual choices by the surgeon and anesthesiologist, as well as yourself.)
How long will sedation last after a colonoscopy?
Only a few minutes after sedation is turned off, patients awaken and become fully alert after 30 minutes or so.
What sedation is used for a lung biopsy?
Most lung tissue biopsies are done endobronchially under general endotracheal anesthesia. Needle biopsies of lung tissue are done under fluoroscopic guidance and may be performed READ MORE
Most lung tissue biopsies are done endobronchially under general endotracheal anesthesia. Needle biopsies of lung tissue are done under fluoroscopic guidance and may be performed with IV sedation and local anesthesia, or deep sedation administered by an anesthesiologist.
What kind of anesthesia is done for kidney stone removal?
General anesthesia
What type of sedation is used for lung biopsy?
You may be given a small sedative such as midazolam or fentanyl in small doses to help you tolerate the procedure, which may also involve injection of a local anesthetic. Dr. Wittels READ MORE
You may be given a small sedative such as midazolam or fentanyl in small doses to help you tolerate the procedure, which may also involve injection of a local anesthetic. Dr. Wittels
Is colonoscopy done under local anesthesia?
You can receive either no medications or small doses of analgesics or to receive monitored anesthesia care that will allow you to have some sleepy medicines during the procedure. READ MORE
You can receive either no medications or small doses of analgesics or to receive monitored anesthesia care that will allow you to have some sleepy medicines during the procedure.
General anesthesia
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common medical problem among patients for whom anesthesiologists provide care. Death among patients with OSA rarely occurs during intraoperative READ MORE
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common medical problem among patients for whom anesthesiologists provide care. Death among patients with OSA rarely occurs during intraoperative care, but that risk increases in the postoperative period if there is excessive administration of opioid medications without intensive and continuous respiratory monitoring. Appropriate pain therapies focused on regional anesthesia and intensive monitoring postoperatively can mitigate these risks.
What kind of sedation is used for thyroid surgery?
Thyroid surgery requires general anesthesia.
Does anesthesia paralyze your lungs?
The induction agents used in general anesthesia suppress voluntary,respirations (an action on the brain); inhalational agents that maintain general anesthesia maintain unconsciousness READ MORE
The induction agents used in general anesthesia suppress voluntary,respirations (an action on the brain); inhalational agents that maintain general anesthesia maintain unconsciousness (through an action on the brain), but they also inhibit the normal clearance of secretions from the inner linings of the lung, bronchi, and alveoli by the cilia that line the tracheobronchial tree. This has an effect on smokers and people with asthma that can lead to the accumulation of secretions in the airway upon awakening from general anesthesia that exacerbates postoperative coughing.
Is local anesthesia safe for diabetic patients?
Yes, local anesthetics are safe for diabetic patients.
Do they put you to sleep to check your colon?
Colonoscopy can be done with light sedation (if you are a stoic person), or deep sedation (monitored anesthesia care) where you are given drugs that allow you to take a nap and READ MORE
Colonoscopy can be done with light sedation (if you are a stoic person), or
deep sedation (monitored anesthesia care) where you are given drugs that
allow you to take a nap and not be aware of the procedure.
deep sedation (monitored anesthesia care) where you are given drugs that
allow you to take a nap and not be aware of the procedure.
What are some side effects of local anesthetics?
The initial injection of local anesthetics may be somewhat painful, depending on the speed of injection (faster injection is more painful) and specific local anesthetic used (bupivacaine READ MORE
The initial injection of local anesthetics may be somewhat painful, depending on the speed of injection (faster injection is more painful) and specific local anesthetic used (bupivacaine is more painful than lidocaine). Local anesthetics do not work instantly, so it is important to
wait after local anesthetic injection before doing any skin incision. Excessive amounts of local anesthetic, if given intravenously, can produce ringing in the ears, perioral numbness, or even seizures. Finally, all local anesthetic-induced numbness eventually wears off, so it is important to have pain medication prescribed to take as the numbing recedes.
wait after local anesthetic injection before doing any skin incision. Excessive amounts of local anesthetic, if given intravenously, can produce ringing in the ears, perioral numbness, or even seizures. Finally, all local anesthetic-induced numbness eventually wears off, so it is important to have pain medication prescribed to take as the numbing recedes.
How do we overcome fatigue from general anesthesia?
Awakening from general anesthesia occurs in a matter of minutes. Although there are many causes of fatigue, including sleep deprivation, studies have shown that general anesthesia READ MORE
Awakening from general anesthesia occurs in a matter of minutes. Although there are many causes of fatigue, including sleep deprivation, studies have shown that general anesthesia does not cause fatigue and does not compensate for lost hours of sleep.
How do they numb the prostate for biopsy?
There is no numbing medicine for prostate biopsy; you will probably receive
deep sedation for this procedure, so nothing will bother you.
deep sedation for this procedure, so nothing will bother you.
Is general anesthesia safe for the lungs?
If you don't smoke, then your lungs do well with general anesthesia; however, if you do smoke or if you have asthma, then you will find that you may accumulate secretions in your READ MORE
If you don't smoke, then your lungs do well with general anesthesia; however, if you do smoke or if you have asthma, then you will find that you may accumulate secretions in your lungs during general anesthesia and these secretions will promote more vigorous and prolonged coughing episodes postoperatively.
How long is anesthesia for colon surgery?
General anesthesia should always provide unconsciousness for the entire length of any surgery, including colon surgery. If you are concerned about the length of surgery, you should READ MORE
General anesthesia should always provide unconsciousness for the entire
length of any surgery, including colon surgery. If you are concerned about
the length of surgery, you should ask your surgeon about what you to expect.
length of any surgery, including colon surgery. If you are concerned about
the length of surgery, you should ask your surgeon about what you to expect.
What type of anesthesia is done for lung biopsy?
Peripheral lung biopsies can be done with local anesthesia supplemented with monitored anesthesia care with deep sedation, while peribronchial lung biopsies are usually done with READ MORE
Peripheral lung biopsies can be done with local anesthesia supplemented
with monitored anesthesia care with deep sedation, while peribronchial lung
biopsies are usually done with general endotracheal anesthesia.
with monitored anesthesia care with deep sedation, while peribronchial lung
biopsies are usually done with general endotracheal anesthesia.
What kind of anesthesia is used for removing fluid from the lungs?
If you have a pleural effusion that needs to be drained, a local anesthetic to the skin in your chest nearest to the effusion will be administered before a needle is inserted to READ MORE
If you have a pleural effusion that needs to be drained, a local anesthetic to the skin in your chest nearest to the effusion will be administered before a needle is inserted to drain the fluid.
