Locations
Office
Portland, OR
Insurances accepted
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
About
Bio
I have practiced anesthesiology both in academic and private practice settings for more than 25 years. My clinical interests are in anesthesia for thoracic surgery, esophageal surgery and neurosurgery, although I also enjoy delivering anesthesia for outpatient surgery. My academic interests focus on healthcare economics and provider payment policies. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling with my wife, photography and scuba diving.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Anesthesiology
Doctor Q&A
78 Answers
57 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Not available here: Sodium Pentothal is no longer available in the United States.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Type of anesthetic: The epidural space is an anatomical space just outside the fluid filled sac that contains the spinal cord and brain. Anesthesiologists and pain physic... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Let her surgeon know: From your description, it is impossible to know for sure; however, a rash near the operative site may be a sign of infection and this needs to be eval... Read More
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4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Many possibilities: While it is possible that the low haemoglobin is related to the hysterectomy, most patients recover to relatively normal levels within a few months of... Read More
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4.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Severe sleep apnea: The AHI number means that you had 75 events an hour in which you either stopped breathing or were breathing very shallowly. Over 30 events an hour imp... Read More
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4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Yes: Although sedation is usually given for a screening colonoscopy, it can be done without. I have several colleagues who have had colonoscopies without s... Read More
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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Not directly: Morphine, in and of itself, is not toxic to the heart. In the past, it was a frequent part of anesthesia for heart surgery and is still standard treat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Pregnancy test need: The only way to know for sure whether this is pregancy vs an abnormal cycle or cycles is to get a pregnancy test. A urine test may be adequate but a b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Possible infection: Green discharge from the gums is a possible sign of infection. You may want to get a second opinion. Germs may be resistant to antibiotics, but if you... Read More
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5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
See your doctor: Symptoms you describe may be related to a viral infection. Usually, these begin getting better after about a week. If symptoms persist beyond that tim... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Based on side effect: The steroids in epidural steroids have a number of significant side effects. Steroids can lead to an impairment in the immune system, loss of bone mas... Read More
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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Warrants a check-up: There are a number of things that can cause this. Some of the more serious ones include a deep surgical infection or adhesions. I would suggest seeing... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Several causes: The most common cause of low blood pressure after intubation is related to sedative or anesthesia drugs given. Other causes can include assisted venti... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Many options: Antibiotics are in a number of chemical classes. With a severe reaction to Keflex (also called cefazolin), you should avoid antibiotics in the cephalo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Yes: Unprotected intercourse as you describe has the potential to lead to pregnancy. Pregnancy risk would be less if you were using some form of contracept... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Not necessarily: These are fairly common findings on image studies and do not necessarily mean that surgery is necessary. Whether you proceed to surgery depends on the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Two approaches: There are two approaches to an epidural injection. The midline approach spreads steroids in a space that often spreads to the nerve roots at one or mo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Not unusual: Around 6 to 8 weeks of age, babies tend to become more alert with less sleep during the day and more sleep at night. Regarding bowel movements, diet m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Varies: The dosing depends on how much opiate class drugs one is already taking. For those taking a relatively small amount and without evidence of tolerance,... Read More
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5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
No: No matter the medical condition, no treatments are 100% effective. Taken per directions, Plan B is about 90-95% effective in preventing pregnancy. Tak... Read More
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5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Probably: If you have a primary care physician and it is during office hours, you can call them for guidance; however, this sounds like a major change in sympto... Read More
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5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Probably: Adderall (dextroamphetamine and racemic amphetamine) is a drug that includes amphetamine. Amphetamine is one of the drugs typically identified in a dr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Not normal: While I don't have enough information to give you a definite answer, you may have some nerve irritation that is causing your symptoms. A focused histo... Read More
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3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
No.: Being on your period is not a reason to delay surgery. There is a slightly higher risk of post-operative nausea during one's period; however, that is ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Yes. Normal: A resting heart rate in the low 60's to mid 50's is normal for a young active person. As long as your rhythm is regular (no skipped beats), your blood... Read More
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3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Not normal: This change in your normal menstrual pattern is probably worth checking out with your primary care clinician. The fatigue may be due to anemia, a comm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
None but…: Many individuals find melatonin an effective sleep aid. It is a hormone produced by the brain that contributes to the normal sleep-wake cycle. It is a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Different things: Between each vertebrae (backbone) from the skull to the pelvis is a material known as a "disc" that serves as a sort of shock absorber. This material ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Maybe: Signs of an active infection will almost certainly lead to a delay in an elective surgery, that is one that the timing has some flexibility. Even with... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Check with your MD: The reason for caution is that this combination of drugs greatly increases the risk of impaired breathing. Breathing rate and depth is controlled by t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Unlikely: For labor epidurals, anesthesiologists typically do not give any benzodiazipines, barbiturates or other sedative drugs as this can affect the fetus. T... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Depends on dose: Ketamine's drug level drops by 1/2 about every 2-2 1/2 hours. This is known as the half-life of the drug. At about 5 half-lives, the effect of a drug ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Around 12/7-12/14: If you are due on 8/30, you ovulated (released the egg) on around 12/7 and implanted the fertilized egg around 12/14. Congratulations and good luck wi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Yes: It is unusual to have frequent nosebleeds. There are a number of potential causes, some of which could signify a serious medical condition. You should... Read More
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5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
This is serious: Ongoing thoughts about doing harm to oneself is a very serious matter and probably indicates severe depression. If you have a psychiatrist, contact th... Read More
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5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Weight loss possibly: Breast tissue mass is related to overall body mass consisting of fat. Weight loss may lead to breast reduction in some patients; however, this doesn't... Read More
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5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old male asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Depends: This really depends on the type of hip surgery. You need to speak with your orthopedic surgeon who knows your surgical history and can provide you gui... Read More
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5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 56-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Yes: Assuming that these lab tests are in chronological order, you are showing some decrease in renal function over time. While different labs may show sli... Read More
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5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Maybe an allergy: All opioids, of which hydrocodone is one, have itching as a known side effect. If you have itching without any rash or other symptoms, it may be just ... Read More
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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Periop med specialty: Anesthesiology is the medical specialty that addresses the study and delivery of anesthesia. Anesthesiologists provide perioperative care, including p... Read More
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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Femoral block acl: The most common nerve block used for acl surgery is a femoral nerve block. These can either be a single injection or may include placement of a cathet... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Both antihistamines: Diphenhydramine (also known as benadryl) is an antihistamine that is typically used to treat allergic reactions. It is somewhat sedating and causes dr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Yes: If your endometriosis was limited to the uterus, tubes and ovaries (which are removed with a "full" hysterectomy, then cure is possible; however, endo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 71-year-old male asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Possibly: Improvement of symptoms with medications, physical therapy or other so-called conservative approaches, is worth discussing with your surgeon and pain ... Read More
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4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Several steps: First, you need to have a pregnancy test to determine if you are pregnant. Second, you need to have symptoms consistent with an ectopic pregnancy, inc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 60-year-old male asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Many causes: Overuse and vocal strain are common causes of hoarseness. But there are a number of other causes that warrant investigation. You should seek referral ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Check it out: There are a number of reasons for abdominal pain after surgery, ranging in seriousness from mild to significant. It would be worth letting your surgeo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
One possibility: Pain in the right upper abdomen after eating may be related to activity of the gall bladder. Inflammation or stones in the gallbladder may cause pain ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Possibly OK: Urge to urinate during pregnancy is very common. The enlarging uterus puts pressure on the bladder, giving a sensation of a full bladder. Five times a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old female asked:
Dr. Norman Cohenanswered
Anesthesiology 38 years experience
Depends on symptoms: If you have no symptoms, you may not require any treatment. With symptoms limited to pain, non-surgical treatments should be attempted first - physica... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
8
Recommendations
157
Thank you notes
Mar 20, 2013
Excellent consultant in Anesthesiology. Informative and caring answers.
Dr. Peter Schulman
Nov 27, 2012
Nov 27, 2012
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! I was put on a low dose, &took patch as previously purscribed; although it was eight yrs ago, & wasn't opiate tolerant.Is this a medicaddict
HealthTap member
Thankyou. You are the first Dr. that didn't blow me off or tell me that it was probably the cortisol I take.My M.D. found a pituitary tumor.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! But does this mean I should be taking it everyday instead of when nece
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Graduated 1985MD
Residency
Duke University Medical Center
Residency
Sinai Hospital of Baltimore
Awards
Bertram Coffer Award for Excellence in Government, American Society of Anesthesiologists
Top Anesthesiologist, First Place, Oregon - Winter
2013
Top Anesthesiologist, First Place, Oregon - Summer
2013
Affiliations
American Society of Anesthesiologists
Oregon Society of Anesthesiologists
American Medical Association
Publications
Risk stratification index: an important advance in comparing health care apples to oranges.
Avoiding Common Errors in Anesthesia
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