Geriatrics is a branch of medicine and the senior care industry concerned with studying, preventing, diagnosing, and treating disease in people over 60. It can be thought of as a specialty or sub-specialty of internal medicine and/or pediatrics. People who specialize in this field are called geriatricians or geriatric care providers. As people get older, they face new health problems that require special attention/treatment. They may learn that certain chronic disorders, such as heart failure and osteoarthritis may develop. These new problems can occur with or without a person’s coexisting medical conditions and/or disabilities and burden the older adult and their family caregivers. This article looks at some of the most common conditions that require you to visit a doctor offering geriatric care in Conroe.
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Heart Disease
Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in America. Every year nearly 1,500,000 people have a heart attack. Of these, 500,000 die within an hour of the heart attack. People over 65 years old are more likely to experience complications after having a heart attack than younger individuals. Heart disease can be present with or without any symptoms. Many heart attacks occur when a person does not expect it and feels perfectly well. Only about half of the people who have a heart attack while at the home die. Less than 20% of heart attack sufferers die before they reach the hospital and receive help from skilled medical staff.
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Diabetes
As we grow older, it is more likely that at some point in our lives, we will develop diabetes. People over 60 years old make up nearly half of all people with diabetes, and about 30% of those affected don’t even know they have the disease. As people age, it has been proven that they are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and have the condition for a longer period. Diabetes can increase your risk of heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and circulatory problems that may lead to amputation.
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Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that causes pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the joints. It is one of the most common chronic diseases among people over 60 years old – affecting more than 40 million Americans. The symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis you have but may include pain, fatigue, fever, weight loss, and decreased appetite. Arthritis can also lead to a loss of mobility and independence. When arthritis affects large joints in the body, it may be accompanied by fatigue, fever, weight loss, or decreased appetite. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, but the most common type is osteoarthritis which occurs when wearing and tears cause damage to your joint cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis is a more severe type of arthritis. It occurs when your body’s immune system attacks the tissues around your joints, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling.
In summary, this occurs to most people at some point in their lives. The population’s longevity paved the way for geriatric care physicians to develop specialties in treating older adults holistically, focusing not only on specific diseases but also on the co-morbidities and social conditions that influence the quality of life. If you are looking for it is evident that you should contact one of the many medical clinics that boast geriatric care physicians.
