What are the different types of geriatric syndromes?

geriatric syndromes fall into seven interconnected categories characterized by one syndrome that normally affects another. Sleep disorders, falls, nutritional deficiencies and pain are geriatric syndromes that usually affect the elderly. Older adults also usually suffer from incontinence, confusion or dementia and skin problems. Doctors who treat the elderly routinely evaluate how every syndrome and treatment of these conditions contribute to difficulties in another area.

Older people usually have trouble sleeping for various reasons. When they become sleep, it can affect geriatric syndromes that lead to falls, confusion and depression. Geriatric syndromes defining incontinence and pain can contribute to sleep disorders, as pain can keep the elderly up. Frequent urination during the night normally prevents an elderly person in adequate rest. Some medicines could reduce appetite or inhibit the absorption of basic mineralsand vitamins. This can cause thin bones and muscle weakness and cause falls. Poor nutrition could cause dehydration, weakness and dizziness, which would lead to confusion and pain in the fall.

When a geriatric patient suffers from pain syndrome, it usually affects other geriatric syndromes, including sleep problems and nutritional disorders. For example, if poorly fitting prostheses or tooth decay creates discomfort, the elderly patient does not have to eat enough to stay healthy. The side effects of drugs used to treat pain could contribute to falls, incontinence and confusion.

Incontinence can lead to bladder and kidney infections and dehydration from insufficient fluid intake. Lack of fiber in the diet can cause problems with the intestinal intestinal that cause confusion. Conditions that cause pain can prevent an older patient to get quickly enough to get into the bathroom, causing wetting orpollution of accidents. Geriatric patients suffering from incontinence may also be isolated to avoid embarrassment, leading to depression.

The most common of the seven geriatric syndromes focuses on falls. Older adults who suffer from vision problems, arthritis or cognitive disorders face a greater risk of bone fractures, especially if low blood sugar in the blood associated with malnutrition causes weakness. There is obvious bond between geriatric fall and pain syndromes.

Geriatric patients bound to bed or wheelchair users normally suffer from pressure ulcers, also called ulcers. These painful lesions could be infected and confusion if the pain is not controlled. The bladder problems are listed as a common condition associated with the disintegration of skin tissue along with sleep problems.