In this post I’ll share how general anesthesia poses risks to us and what to do to minimize those risks. Did you know that anesthesia greatly increases your risk of cognitive decline … including dementia?
When it comes to surgical anesthesia our immediate concern is often about surviving … waking up … from the procedure. Now, there’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that we need to take remedial actions to protect ourselves from the long term effects of surgical anesthesia.
Years ago I studied with Patricia Kane, Ph.D., who specializes in neurological toxicity. One of the sources of toxicity she discussed was from the use of the drugs used in general anesthesia.
Only July 25 a study was published in the British Journal of Psychiatry pointing to the relationship between anesthesia and risks for dementia. If you’re over age 50 your risk can double.
Here’s a link to an informative article that details some specific guidelines covering what to do before and after surgery to best protect yourself. The source of these suggestions is Michael Murray, N.D. He’s one of the premier naturopathic doctors and educators.
http://www.bottomlinepublications.com/content/article/health-a-healing/how-to-detox-from-anesthesia
I hope these ideas and supportive practices give you more peace of mind when it comes to surgical procedures.
Remember also that the anxieties we experience regarding medical diagnoses and treatments have the potential to influence our biology in a way that doesn’t support healing.
Self-regulation techniques like meditation and meridian tapping can play a significant role in reducing the impact of emotional shocks related to diagnoses and the anxiety related to medical procedures.
Steven Templin, D.O.M., Dipl. Ac., is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, specializing in Mind-Body Medicine. He teaches and consults online, and sees patients at the Natural Medicine Center in Lakeland, Florida. You can learn more about Dr. Templin and his healing program Inner Ecology: Healing Your Three Brains for Optimum Immune Function, Detoxification, Mood, Cognition, and Overall Health and Well-Being by visiting www.newmedicalmodel.com.
Steve is a retired Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture Physician, and HeartMath Trauma-Sensitive Certified Practitioner with over 35 years of clinical experience in the fields of Energy Medicine, Energy Psychology, and Biofeedback. 