Millions of older American's undergo anesthesia and surgery each year. Many of them are never the same afterwards. Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock
This is part 7 in “What You Need to Know About Surgery”
In series, we’ll share how to determine if your surgery is right for you, how to ask the right questions, and what you can do to prepare and recover optimally.
If you’re over 65, there’s a significant risk you will wake up from surgery as a slightly different person. Studies indicate at least a quarter and possibly up to half of this population suffer from postoperative delirium—a serious medical condition that causes sudden changes in thinking and behavior.
It is unclear whether the stress and trauma of surgery are more to blame or the lingering effects of anesthesia, but researchers have found several risk factors that can help identify who is more likely to suffer this condition.
