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.
Old and young people are physiologically different in their bodies, making the study of Geriatrics very crucial. As aging progresses, decline in body organs manifests. Previous lifestyles play a role in the kind of symptoms and diseases one experiences. Different people experience different symptoms depending on the healthy organ reserves remaining in the body.
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.
The decline in physiological reserve in organs results in complications and disease which may range in complexity from mild to severe. Some suffer from multiple medical disorders. These makes old people to require specific attention to medications. Usually they are subjected to taking multiple medications. Some people decide to prescribe themselves several over-the-counter drugs and herbal medications. This often results in the risk of adverse drug reactions or drug interactions.
Most diseases in the elderly people present themselves in a non-specific and vague manner. Sometimes they include falls of delirium. For instance, pneumonia may cause low-grade fever and confusion as opposed to cough and high fever observed in younger people. If the disease is causing confusion or cognitive impairment, the old person may have a problem describing what symptoms they are experiencing.
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.
Old and young people are physiologically different in their bodies, making the study of Geriatrics very crucial. As aging progresses, decline in body organs manifests. Previous lifestyles play a role in the kind of symptoms and diseases one experiences. Different people experience different symptoms depending on the healthy organ reserves remaining in the body.
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.
The decline in physiological reserve in organs results in complications and disease which may range in complexity from mild to severe. Some suffer from multiple medical disorders. These makes old people to require specific attention to medications. Usually they are subjected to taking multiple medications. Some people decide to prescribe themselves several over-the-counter drugs and herbal medications. This often results in the risk of adverse drug reactions or drug interactions.
Most diseases in the elderly people present themselves in a non-specific and vague manner. Sometimes they include falls of delirium. For instance, pneumonia may cause low-grade fever and confusion as opposed to cough and high fever observed in younger people. If the disease is causing confusion or cognitive impairment, the old person may have a problem describing what symptoms they are experiencing.
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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