Geriatrics

The term arthritis literally means inflammation of a joint but is generally used to describe any condition in which there is damage to the cartilage. Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury. The warning signs that inflammation presents are redness, swelling, heat, and pain.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by a decrease in bone mass and density resulting in brittle, fragile bones that are more susceptible to fractures. It is often called a "silent disease," as a majority of patients may be unaware of their condition until they develop a bone fracture.

Dementia is a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and communication associated with many neurological conditions. Symptoms vary depending on the part of the brain that is damaged. It can affect your judgment, cause confusion and forgetfulness, and disrupt your daily activities. Symptoms may also include coordination difficulties (getting lost), changes in personality, agitation and hallucinations.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, a group of brain disorders that cause impairment in mental abilities, such as memory and reasoning. When AD affects individuals in their 30s, 40s, and 50s it is called early-onset AD. Late-onset AD is the most common form and usually occurs after age 65.

Balance is the capacity to maintain a position. Coordination is the ability to move through a complex set of movements. Balance and coordination depend on the interaction of multiple body organs and systems including the eyes, ears, brain and nervous system, cardiovascular system, and muscles.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting movement control. It is characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, a region of the midbrain. The incidence increases with age, typically manifesting in individuals over the age of 60, although younger-onset PD can occur. The prevalence is higher in men than in women.