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Geriatric medicine
Geriatric medicine The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease in older people and the problems specific to aging. Also called geriatrics.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Diagnosis The determination of the presence of a specific disease or infection, usually accomplished by evaluating clinical symptoms and laboratory tests.
Disease Illness or sickness often characterized by typical patient problems (symptoms) and physical findings (signs). Disruption sequence: The events that occur when a fetus that is developing normally is subjected to a destructive agent such as the rubella (German measles) virus.
Aging The process of becoming older, a process that is genetically determined and environmentally modulated.
Geriatrics The branch of medicine devoted to the elderly.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Geriatric Of or relating to the aged or to characteristics of the aging process.
Geriatricacetylcholine A chemical in the brain that acts as a neurotransmitter.
Geriatrics The branch of medicine devoted to the elderly.
Gerimal Gerimal is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) approved in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): ergoloid mesylates.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Genoplasty A technology that uses the repair mechanisms normally present in cells to repair gene defects. In genoplasty, a short oligonucleotide fragment is introduced into the cell to simulate a normal DNA sequence and this deceives the cell into repairing itself. The sequence of the gene itself is thus changed permanently. Genoplasty is different from gene therapy in which a normal gene is inserted into the cell.
Genotoxin A poisonous substance which damages DNA. A genotoxin can cause mutations in DNA (and so be a mutagen), it can trigger cancer (and so be a carcinogen), or it can cause a birth defect (and so be a teratogen).
Genu The Latin word for the knee. When the knee is referred to in medicine, it is just called the knee. However, the word "genu" is also used in medicine as in: genu recurvatum (hyperextension of the knee), genu valgum (knock knee) and genu varum (bowleg). The knee (or genu, if you are into Latin) is a joint which has three parts. The thigh bone (femur) meets the large shin bone (tibia) forming the main knee joint. This joint has an inner (medial) and an outer (lateral) compartment. The kneecap (patella) joins the femur to form a third joint, called the patellofemoral joint. The knee joint is surrounded by a joint capsule with ligaments strapping the inside and outside of the joint (collateral ligaments) as well as crossing within the joint (cruciate ligaments). These ligaments provide stability and strength to the knee joint.
Gephyrophobia An abnormal and persistent fear of crossing bridges. Sufferers of this phobia experience undue anxiety even though they realize their fear is irrational. Their fear may result partly from the fear of enclosure (claustrophobia) or the fear of heights (acrophobia). Phobic drivers may worry about being in an accident in busy traffic or losing control of their vehicles. High bridges over waterways and gorges can be especially intimidating, as can be very long or very narrow bridges.
GERD surgery (fundoplication) A surgical technique that strengthens the barrier to acid reflux when the lower esophageal sphincter does not work normally and there is gastro-esophageal reflux.
Geriatric medicine
Germ cell tumor A tumor that arise from a germ cell. These tumors may arise within the gonads -- the ovary and testis. Most testicular tumors are, in fact, germ cell tumors. Germ cell tumors also occur in sites outside the gonads, reflecting the fact that germ cells travel to diverse areas of the body, such as the chest, abdomen, and brain.
German measles immunization The standard MMR vaccine is given to prevent measles, mumps and rubella (German measles). The MMR vaccine is now given in two dosages. The first should be given at 12-15 months of age. The second vaccination should be given at 4-6 years. Most children should receive MMR vaccinations. Exceptions may include children born with an inability to fight off infection, some children with cancer, on treatment with radiation or drugs for cancer, on long term steroids (cortisone). People with severe allergic reactions to eggs or the drug neomycin should probably avoid the MMR vaccine. Pregnant women should wait until after delivery before being immunized with MMR. People with HIV or AIDS should normally receive MMR vaccine. Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines may be administered as individual shots, if necessary, or as a measles- rubella combination.
German measles vaccine A vaccine designed to prevent rubella, or German measles. The rubella vaccine has since been refined into the vaccine now known as MMR for mumps, measles and rubella. The congenital rubella syndrome is now largely a chapter in the history of medicine, thanks to the rubella vaccine.
Germanium A nonessential trace element that has caused nephrotoxicity (kidney injury) and death when used chronically by humans, even at recommended levels of use.
Germinoma A type of germ cell tumor.
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