Today, aspects related to aging are being studied quite actively. Now all the basic principles of this process are well known, as well as some methods to slow it down.
Geriatrics: what is it?
This science is an important section of gerontology. He studies the basic principles of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in patients of an older age group.
Not everyone has heard such a term as "geriatrics." What is it, better than others know specialists involved in the treatment of precisely age-related patients. Currently, every doctor should know the basics of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of people over 65-70 years old. This is due to the fact that it is the elderly and senile people who occupy the lion's share of a doctor's appointment in almost any specialty.
The Importance of Geriatrics
Nobody argues about the enormous significance of this section of gerontology. The fact is that the fundamentals of geriatrics help the doctor to navigate with the establishment of the correct diagnosis and the appointment of a rational course of treatment for patients of the older age group. Difficulties arise here, first of all, for the reason that such people usually do not have any disease, but several pathological processes at once. As a rule, we are talking about diseases of the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and also digestive systems. The appointment of rational treatment for a large number of diseases is a rather complicated process. Providing reliable information on how to properly treat the elderly and senile, and Geriatrics is engaged. The concept of this term also provides for the study of how to prevent the formation of a particular pathology in this group of patients.
Social value
This field of knowledge has a great social weight. The fact is that at the moment most developed countries are faced with a demographic problem. As a result, many countries have to increase their retirement age. In order to keep people working and a normal quality of life, geriatrics are just what is needed. What kind of science it is and how much significance it has, have long been recognized in the governments of developed countries and allocate considerable funds for its development.
Where to find a specialist?
Despite all the importance that geriatrics have, it is extremely difficult to find a specialist who is engaged only in this section of medicine. They are, perhaps, only in large medical centers where doctors of this specialization serve as consultants. As for simple clinics, geriatricians as such usually do not exist in them. However, in most cases, one of the therapists receives a primary specialization in geriatrics and, if necessary, is able to take on the role of a consultant.
In fact, any sufficiently experienced and attentive doctor is able to give complete information about exactly how it is necessary to treat age-related patients.
Where can I get treatment?
If a person firmly decided to spend some time in the geriatric department, now there is such an opportunity. In large cities, there are specialized centers for the treatment of especially aged patients.
Geriatric departments in medical institutions often not only provide direct treatment, but also conduct scientific activities. That is why the most innovative methods of therapy and diagnosis are often used there.
If it’s not important for a person where to receive treatment, then for the majority the therapeutic department of the hospital is quite suitable.
Geriatrics and gerontology: prospects
Specialists from these areas noted that every year the achievements of medicine can achieve increasingly good results. As a result, geriatrics and gerontology have excellent prospects. Of course, it will definitely not be possible to completely stop aging in the next few decades, but it is possible to slow down the process even today.
Many scientists are not unreasonably relying on the opportunities offered by the so-called 3D printer. In the future, it will help solve the problem of donor organs. Thanks to him, you can literally print any necessary structure of the human body. The first prototypes of such equipment are already available, but for medical purposes it is not yet used in practice.
How to maintain health as long as possible?
The aging process is common to any living organism. Its mechanisms consist in a gradual violation of the division of various cells, which interferes with their normal renewal. Gradually, there are more and more such “breakdowns”. At the same time, tissues and organs begin to function incorrectly, which sooner or later leads to the disintegration of the activity of all systems.
In maintaining health, the right way of life is most important. According to WHO, it is he who determines the level of health by 50%. Another 20% is accounted for by the environmental situation of the territory in which the person lives, and his heredity. As for the level of health care, its significance is 10%. So a person will first have to take care of himself. In order to be healthy, he needs to maintain sufficient physical activity, eat correctly and relatively little, and also give up any bad habits. In addition, you will have to try to avoid serious stress.
About nursing staff
Nursing in geriatrics is significant enough. The fact is that it is the nursing staff who most of all communicate directly with the patient. The doctor’s task is to correctly establish the diagnosis and prescribe rational treatment. But monitoring compliance with appointments rests with the nurses. This is especially true for age-related patients, because many of them have serious memory problems, as well as the ability to take drugs on their own. As a result, the lion's share of success that geriatrics helps to achieve largely depends on the average medical staff. What does it mean? Theoretical achievements are just fine, but without practical activity they are useless. So geriatrics and gerontology is a field of activity not only for doctors, but also for nurses.