Understanding the risks of major surgeries

View this email in your browser

Today’s summaries save you 45 minutes of news reading!

Happy Friday, Below the Fold!

Roughly a month ago, we came across a story that’s been on our minds ever since. It’s always difficult for us to write about the damaging effects of our healthcare system, especially for those who have few good options when it comes to their end treatment. But ultimately, awareness is crucial to making change, slow as it may be.

Understanding the risks of major surgeries
Sun Apr 24

Sometimes solving one problem introduces another, and that certainly is a scary thought when considering milestone medical operations. Despite a paper from 1887 on the hidden consequences of surgery to brain function, major procedures like open heart surgery have become normal without attention to the side effects on cognition.

Anecdotal evidence is cropping up from older patients with significant cognitive decline following surgery. One woman describes how her grandfather, formerly a keen chess player, is now completely unable to play the game after a cardiac procedure. Alarmed Alzheimer’s researchers are now paying attention with a particular interest in how such operations may be accelerating the appearance of dementia.

And there’s a name for this too: postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), which describes the “cognitive problems associated with surgery that persist well after the effects of anesthetics have worn off.” In the past two decades, studies have shown the symptoms of POCD are broad and include issues with memory, attention, judgment, and even perception. For example, some with POCD symptoms have difficulty with writing, managing money, remembering lists, and may even have lowered social abilities.

The mystery of how POCD occurs is still being investigated, with some theorizing that it’s the body’s reaction to the surgery itself. For now, the risk for POCD has become so apparent for those over 65 — especially when under deep sedation — that some doctors are pushing for it to be a considered risk factor before performing significant surgeries.

BELOW THE FOLD BYTES

Turtley Awesome Discovery

We often hear the somber stories of animals on the brink of extinction — but what about those coming out of it? A giant tortoise considered extinct for over 100 years was recently spotted in the Galapagos for the first time since 1906. Researchers named her Fernanda after her island home, which is not the same island as the original 1906 giant tortoises. Researchers believe the non-swimming giant tortoise may have actually just floated to its current island. The discovery prompts a host of other questions, including the possibility of species revival, and especially underscores the importance of museum collections in answering them. We’re now all on our toes (or shells?) to hear if further funding will be unlocked to search for more of her kind.

>> Read More

Coal Divestment: Noob Move?

ESG investors called on BHP, an Australian resources mining company, to blanket withdraw from coal mining years ago. This meant speedy sell-off of the company's coal assets, which similar companies were pressured into doing as well. ESG investor cheered until they realized that the efforts backfired, resulting in more coal mining instead of less. Anglo, a large mining company from the U.K., created a spin-off company to purchase its coal assets who then immediately announced expansion plans for the coal mines to meet high demand and prices. BHP is now changing plans and extending the life of their coal mines to both capture high profit and “responsibly close” the mines, as demanded by investors who want to avoid an Anglo scenario.

>> Read More

🎬 Action of the Week

Still piecing together the impact coal has on our environment? The U.S. Energy Information Administration has a short explainer to help get you caught up.

THIS WEEK'S SOURCES

The Guardian:
How surgery impacts brains
1 month old | 18 minutes long

British Medical Association:

1887 paper on post-surgery
135 years old | 8 minutes long

ASCII-ING ABOUT THE NEWS

                    __
         .,-;-;-,. /'_\
       _/_/_/_|_\_\) /
     '-<_><_><_><_>=/\
jgs    `/_/====/_/-'\_\
        ""     ""    ""

We can’t help but shell-ebrate the discovery of this turtle!

Art Credit: Joan G. Stark

Share

Forward to Friend

Copyright © 2022 Below the Fold, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our mailing address is:

Below the Fold

2261 Market St # 4135

San Francisco, CA 94114-1612

Add us to your address book

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Satellite vision could protect our planet

Saturday, June 4, 2022

View this email in your browser Today's summaries save you 40 minutes of news reading! Happy Friday, Below the Fold! Sometimes we just need to examine a problem from another angle, through a

sew yesterday

Friday, May 27, 2022

Paying fair wages while sustaining manufacturing View this email in your browser Today's summaries save you 40 minutes of news reading! Happy Friday, Below the Fold! In a global economy, every

What’s that smell?

Friday, May 13, 2022

We're looking at gas leaks, minty smokes, and even sewage View this email in your browser Today's summaries save you 2 hours of news reading! Happy Friday, Below the Fold! It's getting hot

long-overdue recognition of pain

Friday, May 6, 2022

And how we might do better View this email in your browser Today's summaries save you 75 minutes of news reading! Happy Friday, Below the Fold! With recent news over Roe vs. Wade, many of us felt

the most important meal of the day

Friday, April 29, 2022

…was just an ad for cereal View this email in your browser Today's summaries save you 90 minutes of news reading! Happy Friday, Below the Fold! Sometimes it's hard to see the cost beyond the

Armed Man Shot Near White House, Russian Spy Ring, and Jet Lightning

Monday, March 10, 2025

Secret Service agents shot and wounded an “armed man” a block from the White House shortly after midnight Sunday while President Trump was away for the weekend. ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌

Numlock News: March 10, 2025 • Crater, Mickey 17, Hurricane

Monday, March 10, 2025

By Walt Hickey ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Open Thread 372

Monday, March 10, 2025

... ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

☕ Spending spree

Monday, March 10, 2025

European markets are outpacing the US... March 10, 2025 View Online | Sign Up | Shop Morning Brew Presented By Tubi Good morning, and Happy Mario Day (MAR10). Traditional celebrations include: reckless

Surprise! People don't want AI deciding who gets a kidney transplant and who dies or endures years of misery [Mon Mar 10 2025]

Monday, March 10, 2025

Hi The Register Subscriber | Log in The Register Daily Headlines 10 March 2025 AI Surprise! People don't want AI deciding who gets a kidney transplant and who dies or endures years of misery

Understanding the risks of major surgeries

Turtley Awesome Discovery

Coal Divestment: Noob Move?

🎬 Action of the Week

Older messages

Satellite vision could protect our planet

sew yesterday

What’s that smell?

long-overdue recognition of pain

the most important meal of the day

You Might Also Like

Armed Man Shot Near White House, Russian Spy Ring, and Jet Lightning

Numlock News: March 10, 2025 • Crater, Mickey 17, Hurricane

Open Thread 372

☕ Spending spree

Surprise! People don't want AI deciding who gets a kidney transplant and who dies or endures years of misery [Mon Mar 10 2025]

How to Keep Providing Gender-Affirming Care Despite Anti-Trans Attacks

Guest Newsletter: Five Books

GeekWire's Most-Read Stories of the Week

10 Things That Delighted Us Last Week: From Seafoam-Green Tights to June Squibb’s Laundry Basket

🥣 Cereal Of The Damned 😈