[Geriatrics] Introduction

Also known as 

• Medical gerontology

This field specialises in diseases of the elderly. There is significant overlap with the fields of neurology, stroke medicine and rehabilitation medicine.

 

Subspecialties

• Almost every specialty can subspecialise in Geriatric medicine.

 

Etymology

• Ancient Greek γέρων (geron) = old man
• Ancient Greek ιατρός (iatros) = healer

 

History taking

 

Common presentations

• Severe fall
• Frequent falls
• Confusion
• New-onset
• Prolonged
• Inability to cope (acopia) 
• Reduced appetite
• Mobility impairment

 

Common problems

• Sarcopoenia 
• Osteopoenia
• Anaemia
• Pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Haemorrhage
• Incontinence 
• Urinary retention
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition 
• Cognitive impairment
• Memory impairment
• Blindness
• Deafness 
• Multimorbidity
• Polypharmacy
• Bereavement
• Single organ failure
• Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome

 

Relevant diseases:

• Hypertension
• Hypertensive retinopathy
• Hypotension
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Dyslipidaemias
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Pneumonia 
• Gastroenteritis
• Osteoarthritis 
• Osteoporosis
• Paget's disease of bone  
• Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head
• Dementia 
• Delirium
• Hypothyroidism
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cataracts   
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Mesenteric ischaemia
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Chronic kidney disease 
• Diverticulitis
• Hernia
• Hypothermia 
• Anaemia
• Macular degeneration
• Rhabdomyolysis