View Age Related Illnesses
Age related illnesses can fall into one of several pathological categories:
Neurological Illnesses
- Parkinsonism
- Essential Tremors
- Seizure Disorders
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Multi infarct
Neurological diseases are more likely to become apparent later in life and the symptoms become more debilitating over time.
Tremors increase in manifestation over the years and usually lead the individuals to modify or to discontinue their work.
Seizure disorders may become less responsive to medications and the sedative effects of these drugs are less well tolerated with advanced age.
The public (especially in the older population) has become more fearful with the increased frequency of dementias being diagnosed. The patient and the family can be devastated by these illnesses both financially and emotionally.
Psychiatric
- Grief (normal vs. pathological)
- Adjustment Disorders
- With Depression
- With Anxiety
- Major Depression
- Dysthymic Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Anxiety Disorders
Grief associated with losses is a normal life experience but may tend to be less well accepted in the older individual. Changes in relationships or surroundings are poorly tolerated and may
produce anxiety or depressive disorders. More significant psychiatric problems frequently express themselves with age and tend to respond less well to treatment.
Other Medical Problems
- Cardiovascular
- Malignancies
- Musculoskeletal
- Diabetes
- Visual/Hearing
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Though these illnesses can occur at any age the debilitating consequences are less well tolerated in older people. Visual and hearing problems further tend to isolate these individuals. The effect on continue medical practice can be devastating.