Age plays a key role when it comes to your health. With growing age, one’s overall health deteriorates and one is more prone to illnesses. While there are physical changes that take place, there are also several changes in your brain and nervous system. Hence, it is more likely for people over the age of 60 or 65 to experience neurological problems. This is because the neurons start degenerating over the years. There are certain neurological patterns in the elderly. Over time, the body loses its ability to fight diseases. 

What is Geriatric Neurology?

Geriatric neurology is a branch of medicine that looks after the diagnosis and geriatric counselling and treatment of neurological disorders in the elderly and geriatric age group. Many old age people suffer from chronic pain, geriatric trauma or progressive disorders. Hence, it becomes essential that special care is taken of these individuals. Elderly are the most vulnerable to neurological disorders and geriatric neurologists for geriatric care need to carefully look after their needs and their geriatric treatment. 

There is a gamut of diseases that people of old age may experience such as- stroke, geriatric old age disease and different types of Alzheimer’s Disease etc. Given below is a list of neurological disorders in the elderly: 

  • Alzheimer’s Disease 

Usually known as memory loss disease, Alzheimer’s disease is a very common condition among people over the age of 65. Depending on the intensity of the disease, a person may experience mild, moderate or severe symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease may start off with small imperceptible symptoms such as forgetting names, events, phone numbers, etc. It is a progressive disease and over a period of time, one may experience extreme symptoms such as difficulty in swallowing or breathing, etc. This is because neurons which used to carry out functions in the body previously, now start to degenerate at a rapid rate. With proper care and appropriate medications, this neurological disease can be treated. 

  • Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s is yet another progressive neurological disorder amongst the elderly. Here, the part of the brain responsible for movement is affected. The onset of this disease starts usually when the person is in their 60s. Some of the common symptoms are, trembling of hands,  slow movements, stiffness in hands, legs, etc problems with balancing, low volume speech, the reduced swinging of the arms while walking, etc. Parkinson’s disease can be caused because of genetic factors or environmental factors. Your doctor may prescribe a few medications as well as few exercises and modifications in lifestyle, to reverse the effects of this disease.

  • Stroke 

A stroke is a life-threatening disease that can occur in elderly people. Strokes take place as a result of interruption in the blood supply or bursting of a blood vessel in the brain. It is extremely crucial that one takes quick measures and acts quickly when a person is having a stroke. The first step is to identify the signs of a stroke. Some of the signs are – troubled speech, paralysis, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, loss of balance, blurred vision, dizziness, severe headache where the cause is not known. A stroke needs immediate medical attention, otherwise, it can be fatal or cause haemorrhage in the brain or permanent disability. One should immediately call for help and get the required medical attention that the patient needs, in order to help the person having a stroke. Special care needs to be taken of the patient as a stroke can have a huge impact and shock to the person. 

  • Geriatric Depression 

Geriatric Depression is a mental condition of persistent and lasting moments of depression in older adults. While it is quite common to feel lonely and sad from time to time, geriatric depression is a lasting emotional disorder. This type of depression can increase the risks of suicides and hinder the quality of life. Limited mobility, isolation, financial hardships, dependency, death of loved ones, etc can contribute to geriatric depression. The patient may face constant restlessness and troubles sleeping. It is important that the patient is taken to therapy and is provided with proper treatment. With proper love and care from family members and close friends, one can deal with this disorder. 

  • PTSD 

Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is a mental health condition characterized by nightmares and trauma. PTSD is very common in ageing veterans who have seen the brutality and extreme violence when they served in the war. The memories of such violence can be upsetting for people and cause serious trauma. PTSD can also be caused by tragic events of sexual harassment, torture, natural calamities, etc. Such unresolved and untreated issues of the past can cause them – restlessness, flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty in sleeping, etc. One can also find oneself overwhelmed by emotions of fear, anxiety, stress and lose their touch with reality. It is crucial that they seek the proper treatment for PTSD as soon as possible. 

Neurological disorders are common in old age. This is particularly why old people require special care and attention. Old age is dicey, as one is vulnerable and dependent on others. It is important that the elderly get the required medical attention. Consult the best neurologist in Patna for quick diagnosis and treatment of ailments. With the love and support of loved ones, one can easily cope up with the problems in life. 

For further health complications and issues related to Geriatric Neurology, you can prefer consulting a reputed neurologist through teleconsultation or online appointment for proper guidance and treatment.

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