Geriatric neurology

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Geriatric Neurology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of neurological disorders in older adults. This field is a subspecialty of neurology and geriatrics, and it is concerned with the neurological issues that often arise in the elderly population.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Geriatric neurology is a rapidly growing field due to the increasing age of the population. It deals with the neurological problems that are common in older adults, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Geriatric neurologists are trained to understand the complex interplay between neurological and medical disorders in older adults.

Diseases and Conditions[edit | edit source]

Geriatric neurologists deal with a wide range of diseases and conditions, including:

  • Alzheimer's disease: A progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking skills, and the ability to carry out simple tasks.
  • Parkinson's disease: A neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, causing symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.
  • Stroke: A condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients.
  • Dementia: A general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment in geriatric neurology involves a combination of medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. The goal is to manage symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and improve quality of life.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Geriatric neurology Resources

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD