Condition Lookup
Category:
Geriatric
Number of Conditions: 5
Hoarding Disorder
Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology
Category: Geriatric
Symptoms:
persistent difficulty discarding possessions; cluttered living spaces; distress or impairment in functioning; difficulty organizing items; procrastination
Root Cause:
Dysfunction in decision-making and emotional attachment to possessions, potentially linked to abnormalities in the anterior cingulate cortex and insula.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical interviews and criteria from the DSM-5, sometimes supplemented by hoarding scales.
Treatment:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy focused on decision-making and organizational skills, home visits to manage clutter, and support groups.
Medications:
SSRIs like Paroxetine or Sertraline may help reduce associated anxiety or depression.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 2-6% of the population, with higher rates in older adults.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, stressful life events, social isolation, and comorbid mental health conditions (e.g., OCD, anxiety).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Chronic condition, but significant improvements can occur with therapy and sustained support.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Fire hazards, falls, social isolation, eviction, and health issues due to unsanitary conditions.
Alzheimer Disease
Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology
Category: Geriatric
Symptoms:
memory loss; difficulty in planning and problem-solving; confusion about time and place; difficulty completing familiar tasks; changes in mood and personality; misplacing things; withdrawal from social activities
Root Cause:
Accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles in the brain, leading to neurodegeneration and loss of synaptic connections.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation, cognitive and memory tests (e.g., MMSE), imaging studies (MRI, CT), biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid, and PET scans.
Treatment:
Symptomatic treatments focus on managing cognitive symptoms and supporting daily functioning. Non-drug therapies include cognitive rehabilitation and caregiver support.
Medications:
Donepezil (cholinesterase inhibitor), Rivastigmine (cholinesterase inhibitor), Memantine (NMDA receptor antagonist), Aducanumab (amyloid beta-directed antibody).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 6 million people in the U.S.; the prevalence increases with age, particularly after 65.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age, family history, genetic mutations (e.g., APOE-e4), cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and head trauma.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive and incurable; average life expectancy post-diagnosis is 4-8 years, although some may live up to 20 years.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infections (e.g., pneumonia), malnutrition, falls, wandering, and caregiver burden.
Alzheimer Disease in Down Syndrome
Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology
Category: Geriatric
Symptoms:
early-onset memory loss; difficulty in daily functioning; behavioral changes; confusion; seizures in later stages
Root Cause:
Overexpression of amyloid precursor protein due to the extra copy of chromosome 21, leading to accelerated accumulation of amyloid plaques.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Cognitive evaluations tailored for intellectual disability, neuroimaging (MRI, PET scans), and medical history.
Treatment:
Same as Alzheimer Disease; additional focus on managing the unique needs of individuals with Down Syndrome.
Medications:
Donepezil and Memantine are commonly prescribed but may require dosage adjustments.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects up to 50% of individuals with Down Syndrome by age 60.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic predisposition due to trisomy 21, increasing age.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally worse than typical Alzheimer's due to earlier onset and associated health conditions.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Faster disease progression, epilepsy, and earlier functional decline.
Geriatric Sleep Disorder
Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology
Category: Geriatric
Symptoms:
difficulty falling asleep; frequent nighttime awakenings; daytime fatigue; irritability; memory problems; increased risk of depression
Root Cause:
Age-related changes in sleep architecture, chronic health conditions, medications, or psychological factors.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Sleep history, polysomnography (sleep study), actigraphy, and evaluation for underlying medical or psychological conditions.
Treatment:
Behavioral interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), sleep hygiene education, and treatment of underlying conditions.
Medications:
Short-term use of sedative-hypnotics (e.g., Zolpidem , Eszopiclone ), melatonin agonists (e.g., Ramelteon ), or low-dose antidepressants (e.g., Trazodone ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 30-50% of older adults.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age, comorbid conditions (e.g., arthritis, diabetes), psychological stress, medications, and inactivity.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; improving sleep hygiene and addressing underlying causes can significantly improve outcomes.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Increased risk of falls, cognitive decline, depression, and cardiovascular issues.
Vascular Dementia
Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology
Category: Geriatric
Symptoms:
memory loss; confusion; difficulty concentrating; mood changes; slowed thinking; difficulty with planning and organization
Root Cause:
Reduced blood flow to the brain due to stroke, small vessel disease, or other vascular conditions leading to brain damage.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Neuropsychological testing, brain imaging (MRI, CT), medical history, and assessment of vascular risk factors.
Treatment:
Managing vascular risk factors (e.g., blood pressure, cholesterol), cognitive rehabilitation, and supportive therapies.
Medications:
Antihypertensives (e.g., ACE inhibitors), antiplatelet drugs (e.g., Aspirin ), and sometimes cholinesterase inhibitors or Memantine for cognitive symptoms.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Second most common type of dementia, accounting for 10-20% of dementia cases.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Hypertension, diabetes, smoking, atrial fibrillation, and history of stroke or heart disease.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive condition; life expectancy varies based on severity and comorbid conditions.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrent strokes, increased disability, and caregiver burden.