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.
Gerontology and geriatrics are two different fields in medicine. Gerontology is the medical study of the process of aging in human beings while geriatric medicine concerns itself with the treatment and prevention of medical conditions that result because of old age. No specifications exist on who qualifies to receive geriatric care. Even individuals at the age of forty can receive the care just fine. The Greek terms from which the term Geriatric medicine was derived means old man when translated into 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.
The training geriatricians have enables them to distinguish between effects of aging considered normal and illness. For example, incontinence and renal failure are not normal while renal impairment is normal effect of aging. Thus, geriatricians promote health while 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 suffered by old people present themselves vaguely and in non-specific ways. At times they comprise of delirium and falls. For example, when old people suffer from pneumonia they may experience confusion and low-level fever. Younger people often experience high-grade fever and cough. Cognitive impairment and confusion may occur, making it hard for the individuals to describe symptoms.
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 with quality of life, functional abilities, and independence continue to be of great concern in this profession. Maintaining independence is generally what most old individuals want. This calls for ability to handle daily activities. It is upon geriatricians to offer information and referrals about elder care options to patients as appropriate. Some of the options are assisted living facilities, home care, skilled nursing facilities, and hospice.
Gerontology and geriatrics are two different fields in medicine. Gerontology is the medical study of the process of aging in human beings while geriatric medicine concerns itself with the treatment and prevention of medical conditions that result because of old age. No specifications exist on who qualifies to receive geriatric care. Even individuals at the age of forty can receive the care just fine. The Greek terms from which the term Geriatric medicine was derived means old man when translated into 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.
The training geriatricians have enables them to distinguish between effects of aging considered normal and illness. For example, incontinence and renal failure are not normal while renal impairment is normal effect of aging. Thus, geriatricians promote health while 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 suffered by old people present themselves vaguely and in non-specific ways. At times they comprise of delirium and falls. For example, when old people suffer from pneumonia they may experience confusion and low-level fever. Younger people often experience high-grade fever and cough. Cognitive impairment and confusion may occur, making it hard for the individuals to describe symptoms.
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 with quality of life, functional abilities, and independence continue to be of great concern in this profession. Maintaining independence is generally what most old individuals want. This calls for ability to handle daily activities. It is upon geriatricians to offer information and referrals about elder care options to patients as appropriate. Some of the options are assisted living facilities, home care, skilled nursing facilities, and hospice.
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