Before you head in for surgery, tell your anesthesiologist if you regularly drink caffeinated beverages. It's important to follow presurgery instructions not to eat or drink, but doing so may set you up for a nasty caffeine withdrawal headache just as you are waking up from surgery. There's no caf latte in the recovery room, but you might be able to drink black coffee or a caffeinated soda to help ward off a postoperative headache. And older adults process alcohol more slowly, making them more vulnerable to alcohol's effects, according to the February issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter. It's never too late to seek help.
Older people are just as successful as younger people in overcoming alcohol problems.
Here are danger signs that a relative or friend could have a drinking problem. The person drinks more, more often, but denies there is a problem. The person has unhealthy looking skin, bloodshot eyes, unexplained bruises or an unkempt appearance. Health problems - The person experiences hangovers, frequent headaches, chronic digestive problems, fatigue, shaky hands or injuries from falls. Personality changes - The person experiences memory loss or confusion, slurred speech, irritability or lack of interest in activities.