The Geriatric Medicine is also used to refer to Geriatrics. This is a medical specialty that specializes in providing health care and promoting the health of old people. It deals with the prevention and treatment of disability and illnesses that affect the elderly. Medical practitioners with specialty in this field are referred to as geriatric physicians or geriatricians. The Ann Arbor Geriatrics profession is highly advanced with some of the most experienced and qualified professionals. One can receive quality care in Ann Arbor at affordable rates.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Old people suffer certain major impairments which are described using the term geriatric giants. The four impairments are impaired intellect/memory, instability, immobility, and incontinence. Common problems include hearing loss and impaired vision. When these people lose hearing, they suffer from depression, social isolation, and dependence. In case they suffer vision impairment, they often take medications incorrectly, mismanage finances, and experience falls.
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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