GERIATRICS

Geriatrics is a sub-branch of internal medicine. After becoming an internist, he becomes a geriatric specialist by receiving training in the field of elderly health for 3 more years. All individuals aged 65 and over can apply to the geriatrics department. Those who have all kinds of internal diseases (such as diabetes, blood pressure, high cholesterol, goiter, kidney disease, gastrointestinal diseases, blood diseases, osteoporosis), especially those who have more than one disease, use many drugs, whose medications need to be regulated, who have nutritional disorders, Patients with complaints such as forgetfulness, insomnia, frequent falls, and urinary incontinence are those who benefit most from the geriatrics department.

Patients with an unexplained complaint that needs to be investigated (such as weight loss, anemia, a disorder in blood tests) can also be examined and treated in the geriatrics department. It is recommended that not only patients but also those who want to age healthy should apply to the geriatrics department.

In the geriatrics department, recommendations are made to the patient about healthy aging. Guidance is provided so that the individual can make changes in his lifestyle. Tests and scans (such as cancer, osteoporosis) that should be done every year can be done. Information on preventive vaccines is given. Therefore, elderly individuals who want to undergo a health check can also apply to the geriatrics department.

After taking the patient’s medical, social and daily life history in the geriatrics department, a general-comprehensive physical examination is performed. The living conditions, anxiety-fear-expectations, independence status of the elderly are evaluated. When making these assessments, tests specifically designed for the elderly are often used. Because mind, body and mental health are a whole and they affect each other.