Does Anesthesia Cause Dementia? The Truth (Plus a Prevention Plan)

Описание: Does anesthesia cause dementia—or is something else going on? If your older loved one seems more confused after surgery, families deserve clear answers. In this video, I explain what the best evidence says about general anesthesia and dementia, why post-operative delirium is the real risk, and how to build a brain-protection plan before, during, and after surgery.

You’ll learn:
✅ Why anesthesia is NOT proven to cause Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
✅ The 3 main post-op cognitive syndromes: delirium, delayed neurocognitive recovery, and post-operative neurocognitive disorder
✅ What delirium looks like (hyperactive vs hypoactive) and why it’s often missed
✅ The 8 biggest risk factors for delirium and prolonged confusion
✅ A practical prevention checklist for families (the first 72 hours matter most)

Key takeaway: Most seniors will not “get dementia” from anesthesia. But if someone has an underlying cognitive vulnerability (known or subtle), surgery can trigger delirium, and delirium can be associated with longer-lasting cognitive setbacks.


Brain-Protection Checklist (Quick Summary)

1. Before surgery: tell the team about memory issues, bring glasses/hearing aids/CPAP, review meds, treat constipation/pain, hydrate.
2. After surgery: daylight in daytime, darkness at night, re-orientation, mobility as allowed, avoid high-risk meds when possible, watch for hypoactive delirium (too sleepy + confused).

Important Disclaimer

This video is general education and does not replace medical care. Every patient is different. Always discuss surgical/anesthesia decisions with your surgeon, anesthesiologist, and your loved one’s clinician—especially if there is mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia, Parkinson’s/Lewy body disease, prior delirium, sleep apnea, or complex medication use. If confusion is sudden, severe, or worsening, seek urgent medical evaluation.

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