Tag: Cognitive decline

While most people fully recover from anesthesia with no lingering effects, some individuals—especially the elderly and very young—are more susceptible to rare but potential long-term issues. Addressing the question, 'Does anesthesia affect your body long term?', depends on various patient-specific factors, overall health, and the type of procedure.

An estimated 7.2 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's in 2025 [1.7.4]. For those wondering, 'Are there any medications for cognitive decline?', the answer is yes, with significant recent advancements offering new hope [1.3.1].

Recent large-scale research has found there is little evidence that Xanax (alprazolam) or other benzodiazepines increase the risk of developing dementia, challenging previous associations. This updated understanding highlights the crucial difference between the drug's temporary, short-term cognitive side effects and progressive neurodegenerative disease.

According to a 2015 study in *JAMA Internal Medicine*, older adults taking a strong anticholinergic medication daily for more than three years had an increased risk of developing dementia. This finding highlights a critical topic for geriatric health: understanding what are several common drugs linked to dementia and how long-term use can impact cognitive function.

According to the World Health Organization, depression affects over 280 million people globally, making antidepressants a widely used treatment. This has led many to question: **do antidepressants change the way you think** or just lift your mood? The answer lies not in a change of your fundamental personality, but in the medication's ability to alter emotional and cognitive processing to foster a more balanced perspective.

Multiple studies have found that long-term use of anticholinergic drugs, a class that includes oxybutynin, may increase the risk of dementia by as much as 46% compared to non-use [1.2.3]. The question of whether is oxybutynin associated with dementia is a critical concern for many patients, especially older adults.

Affecting up to 30% of individuals aged 65 and older, overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition. A key question for many is, what overactive bladder medication causes dementia, and what are the safer alternatives available today?

Studies show that between 20-30% of women aged 40 or older experience urinary incontinence, a key symptom of overactive bladder (OAB) [1.5.2]. As patients and doctors seek safer long-term treatments, a critical question has emerged: **is there a link between mirabegron and dementia?**

According to a 2016 study, certain blood pressure medications, including beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, may be associated with an increased risk of mood disorders, though later studies presented conflicting evidence. Whether blood pressure medicine can cause mental problems is a complex issue, with research showing both potential risks and even some protective effects, depending on the specific drug class.

In clinical trials, Leqembi was shown to slow the rate of cognitive decline in early Alzheimer's disease by 27% over 18 months compared to a placebo, but some patients and caregivers still ask, "Can Leqembi make Alzheimer's worse?". The answer is complex, as it involves understanding the difference between the disease's natural progression and serious, drug-related adverse events.