Geriatrics is also referred to as geriatric medicine. It is a branch of medicine that deals with the health care of elderly individuals. The aim of this specialty is to promote health through prevention and treatment of disabilities and diseases affecting old people. The medical practitioners who specialize in the provision of health care to old people are called geriatric physicians of geriatrician. In Ann Arbor Geriatrics has many specialists who offer high quality care.
There is a difference between gerontology and geriatric medicine. Whereas geriatric medicine deals with the treatment of diseases in old people, gerontology is concerned with the study of the process of aging. There is no specific age at which one qualifies to receive geriatric care. People as young as 40 years can be under the care of geriatric physicians without any problem. The name geriatric comes from a Greek term which translates to old man in English.
Young and old people have physiologically different bodies, which makes the study of geriatrics very important. Manifestation of decline of body organs happens with aging. The kind of symptoms and diseases one experiences are dependent on their previous lifestyles. The symptoms vary from person to person and are determined by remaining healthy reserves in body organs.
Geriatricians are trained to differentiate between the effects of normal aging and disease. For instance, whereas it is normal for renal impairment to occur in old people, urinary incontinence and renal failure are not normal. Therefore, these professionals promote healthy aging.
Complications resulting from a decline in organ physiological reserve range from severe to mild, with other suffering from multiple medical disorders. This makes specific attention to medication necessary to elders. Some are often subjected to multiple medical prescriptions. Combining of herbal and over-the-counter medications is very common too. However, this presents the danger of drug-drug interaction or severe drug reaction.
Elderly people suffer from diseases that mostly present themselves in a vague and non-specific way. They may include delirium and falls sometimes. For example, pneumonia may result in confusion and low-level fever. This is not happens in younger people where pneumonia causes high-level fever and cough. Description of symptoms is often a problem to the old individuals, if cognitive impairment and confusion is being caused.
The term geriatric giants is used to describe the major categories of impairment appearing in old people. These four categories are impaired intellect/memory, incontinence, instability, and immobility. Hearing loss and impaired vision are very common. Loss of hearing causes depression, dependence, and social isolation. Vision impairment causes falls, incorrect taking of medication, and financial mismanagement.
Issues related to quality of life, independence, and functional abilities usually cause major concern. Elderly people usually generally want to be able to live independently for the longest time possible. This requires them to be able to handle activities of daily living. Geriatricians may have to provide information about elder care options and make referrals to assisted living facilities, hospice, home care, and skilled nursing facilities as appropriate.
There is a difference between gerontology and geriatric medicine. Whereas geriatric medicine deals with the treatment of diseases in old people, gerontology is concerned with the study of the process of aging. There is no specific age at which one qualifies to receive geriatric care. People as young as 40 years can be under the care of geriatric physicians without any problem. The name geriatric comes from a Greek term which translates to old man in English.
Young and old people have physiologically different bodies, which makes the study of geriatrics very important. Manifestation of decline of body organs happens with aging. The kind of symptoms and diseases one experiences are dependent on their previous lifestyles. The symptoms vary from person to person and are determined by remaining healthy reserves in body organs.
Geriatricians are trained to differentiate between the effects of normal aging and disease. For instance, whereas it is normal for renal impairment to occur in old people, urinary incontinence and renal failure are not normal. Therefore, these professionals promote healthy aging.
Complications resulting from a decline in organ physiological reserve range from severe to mild, with other suffering from multiple medical disorders. This makes specific attention to medication necessary to elders. Some are often subjected to multiple medical prescriptions. Combining of herbal and over-the-counter medications is very common too. However, this presents the danger of drug-drug interaction or severe drug reaction.
Elderly people suffer from diseases that mostly present themselves in a vague and non-specific way. They may include delirium and falls sometimes. For example, pneumonia may result in confusion and low-level fever. This is not happens in younger people where pneumonia causes high-level fever and cough. Description of symptoms is often a problem to the old individuals, if cognitive impairment and confusion is being caused.
The term geriatric giants is used to describe the major categories of impairment appearing in old people. These four categories are impaired intellect/memory, incontinence, instability, and immobility. Hearing loss and impaired vision are very common. Loss of hearing causes depression, dependence, and social isolation. Vision impairment causes falls, incorrect taking of medication, and financial mismanagement.
Issues related to quality of life, independence, and functional abilities usually cause major concern. Elderly people usually generally want to be able to live independently for the longest time possible. This requires them to be able to handle activities of daily living. Geriatricians may have to provide information about elder care options and make referrals to assisted living facilities, hospice, home care, and skilled nursing facilities as appropriate.
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