General anesthesia during surgery in the elderly increases the risk of Alzheimer's

During the last two decades, various diseases that occur in the elderly have increased significantly, but the number of elderly patients undergoing surgery simultaneously is also increasing. When you are old, it is undeniable that your body's condition has decreased. Starting from the joints, then to vision, and then memory.

Well, often parents are required to undergo major surgery in the joints or other organs of the body to improve their quality of life. So, what are the risks of surgery in the elderly? Check out the following explanation.

Effects of anesthesia (anesthesia) before surgery in the elderly

Before surgery, usually an anesthetist will perform an anesthetic procedure that aims to block the patient's pain for a certain period of time so that during the operation the patient does not feel pain. This action of anesthesia or anesthesia can be done by injection, spray, ointment, or administration of gas that the patient must inhale. There are three types of anesthesia, namely, local anesthesia, partial anesthesia, and general anesthesia.

The effects of anesthesia are temporary and generally harmless in most surgery patients. However, in elderly patients whose bodies continue to decline due to age, there may be an impact during the recovery process. Especially if the elderly is given general anesthesia which immediately works on the brain so that the patient is unconscious during the operation.

A new study found that general anesthesia, when used on elderly patients, can increase the risk of dementia and the development of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's.

General anesthesia during surgery in the elderly increases the risk of decreased brain function

Researchers have identified early postoperative - so-called cognitive decline in cognitive function postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), which causes dementia. POCD is associated with the emergence of neuroinflammatory reactions in the brain. This reaction damages the brain and causes cell degeneration.

Degeneration at the cellular level is a trigger for dementia, aka senility. It can even indirectly cause cognitive decline which can lead to dementia, long-term memory loss, language difficulties, and erratic behavior. Dementia can develop into a disease, such as Alzheimer's.

The study included 9,294 elderly who had surgery between 1999 and 2001. About nine percent of the participants developed dementia after eight years of exposure to anesthesia and the risk increased by 15 percent for developing Alzheimer's disease. In particular, elderly patients who are under general anesthesia and have decreased cognitive function are more likely to experience neurodegenerative disorders.

From the study, the researchers concluded that elderly patients who received general anesthesia tended to be at greater risk for neurological problems than those who received local anesthesia.

The risk of surgery in the elderly increases when the patient is over 75 years of age

Previous studies have shown that the cure rate and postoperative complications are higher when the patient is 75 years old. At the age of 75 years, brain function has decreased by itself, especially if the patient has decreased cognitive function. This can make the development of neurodegenerative diseases very likely.

Alzheimer's disease can be the leading cause of death in elderly people aged 75 years and over. Patients can become forgetful, so they often go away from home and forget to walk home because they forget where their house is. At such times, they are prone to starvation and the risk of pneumonia.

The importance of conducting an evaluation before the elderly is operated on

Researchers have concluded that preoperative evaluation should be carried out on parents to determine what anesthesia is used, especially if it is necessary to perform general anesthesia. Likewise regarding the follow-up action plan post-surgery to ensure recognition of cognitive decline and dementia so that treatment can be done immediately to prevent the emergence of more serious neurodegenerative disorders.

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