- Introduction
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Prevention
-
Caregiving
- Coping with Emotional Changes
- Coping with Memory Loss
- Costs and Insurance
- Creating a Daily Routine
- Exercise
- Health and Wellbeing of the Caregiver
- Home Safety Adjustments
- Mental Exercises
- Respite Care
- Talking to Children about Alzheimer's
- Talking to Friends about Alzheimer's
- Telling Someone They Have Alzheimer's
- Transition to Assisted Living
- Transition to Nursing Home
- Work
- Related Conditions
- Resources
Q: What are the early symptoms? Can you get alzheimer's disease after a simple knee operation?
Surgery can, and often does, cause mental issues with elders. So does hospitalization. You may want to read "Is it dementia or delerium?" for some insight. If dementia were developing but the changes not really noted before surgery, an elder could come home acting like they "got" AD from the procedure, because the trauma intensified the symptoms. You may also want to read "Stages of Alzheimer's."
The dementia-like symptoms should get better after being home for awhile unless dementia was well on its way before hospitalization. Then, it's possible the trauma of the operation "sped up" the process that had already begun.
Take care. Getting educated is good. You are on the right path.
Carol
Hi Linda
There is a link to information about the early symptoms of Alzheimer's
It is not unknown for symptoms of confusion or delirium to occur in older people following an operation. Dementia can occur following brain damage if a patient experiences side effects to anesthesia or even severe reactions to other medications. Brain damage can also be a result of insufficient oxygen flow to the brain due to a number of causes during an operation.
You need to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis
Christine
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