What is geriatrics? Who can apply to the geriatrics department?
Geriatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with health problems in old age and the treatment of these problems. 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, urinary incontinence, constipation are the ones who benefit most from the geriatrics department.
It is recommended that not only those who have a disease and active complaints, 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. Screenings such as cancer and osteoporosis screening can be done every year. Information is given about preventive vaccines such as pneumonia, flu, shingles, and tetanus. For specific diseases, patients are directed to the relevant branches (such as neurology, psychiatry, physical therapy, urology) where they will benefit most. Geriatricians screen, treat and prevent diseases such as depression, early-stage dementia (dementia), urinary incontinence (incontinence), sleep disorders, malnutrition, muscle wasting (sarcopenia), which are frequently seen in the elderly but can easily be overlooked if the patient is not asked. In the geriatrics department, a comprehensive geriatric evaluation is performed after the patient's general medical, social and daily life history is taken. When making these assessments, tests specifically designed for the elderly are often used.
In summary, the geriatrics department has three main goals. These; healthy aging and protecting the current health of the elderly, treating the disease, and improving the quality of life if possible.
Our Geriatrics Polyclinic is located on the 1st floor of Block F.
Our inpatients are followed in our 4th floor D block service.