Condition Lookup

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders

Sub-category: Neurological Conditions

Symptoms:
sudden, temporary loss of vision in one eye; sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech; sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg, usually on one side of the body; sudden dizziness or loss of balance

Root Cause:
A temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, often due to a clot or narrowing of the blood vessels.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical and neurological exam. MRI or CT scan. Carotid ultrasound. Blood tests.

Treatment:
Antiplatelet medications (e.g., aspirin). Management of underlying risk factors like hypertension or high cholesterol. In some cases, surgery to remove blockages or prevent stroke.

Medications:
Aspirin or clopidogrel (antiplatelets). Statins for cholesterol control. Antihypertensives to control blood pressure.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 200,000 cases in the U.S. annually.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, age, family history.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
High risk of a full stroke following a TIA, especially if untreated; early intervention can reduce the risk of a major stroke.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Stroke, cognitive impairments, memory loss, permanent disability.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders

Sub-category: Neurological Conditions

Symptoms:
numbness or tingling in the hands or feet; weakness in the affected area; sensitivity to touch; pain that may be sharp, burning, or throbbing

Root Cause:
Damage to the peripheral nerves, often caused by diabetes, infections, or vitamin deficiencies.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Neurological exam. Nerve conduction studies. Blood tests to check for diabetes or vitamin deficiencies. Electromyography (EMG).

Treatment:
Pain management (anticonvulsants, antidepressants). Physical therapy. Addressing underlying causes like diabetes control.

Medications:
Gabapentin or pregabalin (anticonvulsants for pain relief). Amitriptyline or duloxetine (antidepressants for neuropathic pain). Capsaicin cream for localized pain relief.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 2-3% of the general population, with higher rates among diabetics (up to 50% of those with diabetes).

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Diabetes, excessive alcohol use, autoimmune diseases, certain medications, infections, vitamin deficiencies.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Can be managed with treatment, but nerve damage is often permanent. Symptoms may worsen if underlying causes are not treated.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Loss of sensation, increased risk of falls, muscle weakness, infections due to unnoticed injuries.

Alzheimer’s disease

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders

Sub-category: Dementias

Symptoms:
memory loss; difficulty planning or solving problems; confusion with time or place; trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships; difficulty speaking or writing; misplacing items and inability to retrace steps; poor judgment and decision-making

Root Cause:
The accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain causes brain cell death and disrupts communication between neurons.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is primarily clinical through a medical history review, cognitive testing, neuroimaging (such as MRI or CT scans), and ruling out other conditions. Biomarker tests for amyloid plaques and tau may also be used.

Treatment:
Medications to manage symptoms, such as cholinesterase inhibitors (Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine) and NMDA receptor antagonists (Memantine). Non-drug interventions like cognitive stimulation therapy and maintaining a structured environment.

Medications:
Donepezil (cholinesterase inhibitor), Rivastigmine (cholinesterase inhibitor), Galantamine (cholinesterase inhibitor), Memantine (NMDA receptor antagonist). These medications help with cognitive symptoms but do not cure the disease.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Alzheimer’s disease affects an estimated 6.5 million people in the U.S., with prevalence increasing as the population ages.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age, family history, genetics (e.g., APOE e4 allele), head trauma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, low education levels, and lifestyle factors like poor diet and lack of physical activity.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive decline in memory and cognitive abilities; life expectancy after diagnosis is typically 4-8 years, but it can be longer or shorter.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Increased risk of infections (e.g., pneumonia), difficulty with mobility, malnutrition, and eventual loss of independence.

Vascular dementia

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders

Sub-category: Dementias

Symptoms:
memory problems; difficulty concentrating or planning; confusion and disorientation; trouble walking and with motor skills; mood changes, including depression or apathy; sudden onset of symptoms after a stroke or series of mini-strokes (tias)

Root Cause:
Reduced blood flow to the brain due to damaged blood vessels, often as a result of strokes or chronic conditions such as hypertension or diabetes, leading to brain cell damage.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation, imaging studies (MRI or CT scans), neuropsychological tests, and ruling out other types of dementia.

Treatment:
Managing underlying conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol). Medications to treat symptoms and prevent further strokes (e.g., antiplatelet drugs, anticoagulants). Cognitive rehabilitation and supportive care.

Medications:
Antihypertensives (e.g., Lisinopril , Amlodipine ), antiplatelet agents (e.g., Aspirin , Clopidogrel ), and cholesterol-lowering drugs (e.g., Atorvastatin ). These medications address the vascular causes but do not reverse the dementia.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
It accounts for approximately 10-20% of dementia cases in older adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, and heart disease.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive decline, but the rate may be slower than Alzheimer's disease. Lifespan after diagnosis varies but may be 5-10 years.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Increased risk of future strokes, falls, infections, and complications related to immobility.

Lewy body dementia

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders

Sub-category: Dementias

Symptoms:
fluctuating cognitive abilities; visual hallucinations; parkinsonism (tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia); rem sleep behavior disorder (acting out dreams); depression and anxiety

Root Cause:
Abnormal clumps of protein (Lewy bodies) build up in the brain, disrupting normal brain function and leading to cognitive decline, movement disorders, and psychiatric symptoms.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation, neuroimaging (MRI, CT), and assessment of symptoms. A definitive diagnosis is made post-mortem.

Treatment:
Medications such as cholinesterase inhibitors (Donepezil) for cognitive symptoms. Antipsychotics carefully (due to sensitivity to these drugs). Levodopa for Parkinsonism-related motor symptoms.

Medications:
Donepezil (cholinesterase inhibitor), Rivastigmine (cholinesterase inhibitor), Levodopa (dopamine precursor). Careful use of antipsychotics (e.g., Quetiapine ) for hallucinations, although they can exacerbate movement symptoms.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 1.4 million people in the U.S.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age, family history, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive cognitive and motor decline, with a life expectancy of about 5-8 years following diagnosis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe motor disability, increased risk of falls, and difficulty with swallowing, which can lead to aspiration pneumonia.

Frontotemporal dementia

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders

Sub-category: Dementias

Symptoms:
personality and behavior changes (e.g., impulsivity, inappropriate behavior, apathy); difficulty with language (e.g., speaking or understanding speech); emotional blunting; motor difficulties, including rigidity and tremors in some cases

Root Cause:
Degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to the loss of neurons in those regions that control behavior, emotions, and language.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical assessment, neuroimaging (MRI or PET scan), and ruling out other causes of symptoms. Genetic testing may be used for certain subtypes.

Treatment:
No specific treatment, but medications can manage symptoms (e.g., antidepressants for mood changes). Behavioral interventions to manage challenging behaviors.

Medications:
Antidepressants (e.g., Sertraline , Fluoxetine ) for behavioral symptoms, antipsychotics (e.g., Risperidone ) may be used cautiously for severe agitation.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 5-10% of people with dementia, typically younger individuals (50-60 years old).

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, genetic mutations (e.g., mutations in the MAPT, GRN, and C9orf72 genes).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressively worsens, with life expectancy usually between 6-8 years after diagnosis, but it varies.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe behavioral problems, difficulty in communication, motor problems, and inability to care for oneself.

Parkinson’s disease

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders

Sub-category: Movement Disorders

Symptoms:
tremors at rest; bradykinesia (slowness of movement); muscle rigidity; postural instability; difficulty with balance and coordination; shuffling gait; speech changes; cognitive decline (in advanced stages)

Root Cause:
Degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain, leading to reduced dopamine levels and impaired movement control.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, neurological examination, and medical history. Imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans may be used to rule out other conditions, but diagnosis is primarily clinical.

Treatment:
Medications to increase or mimic dopamine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and in some cases, surgical interventions like deep brain stimulation.

Medications:
Common medications include levodopa (a precursor to dopamine), dopamine agonists (e.g., pramipexole , ropinirole ), and MAO-B inhibitors (e.g., selegiline ). Levodopa is classified as a dopaminergic agent, while dopamine agonists are categorized as antiparkinsonian drugs.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1% of individuals over the age of 60, with an increasing prevalence as the population ages.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age (higher risk in older adults), family history, male gender, environmental exposures (e.g., pesticides), and genetic mutations.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive disease with varying rates of progression. Many individuals live for many years with the condition, but quality of life can be significantly impacted.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cognitive decline (dementia), difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), depression, sleep disturbances, and an increased risk of falls.

Essential tremor

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders

Sub-category: Movement Disorders

Symptoms:
rhythmic tremor (shaking) in hands, head, voice, or other body parts; tremors worsen with movement or when holding something; difficulty with fine motor tasks (e.g., writing, eating)

Root Cause:
A neurodegenerative condition that affects the cerebellum, leading to abnormal signals causing tremors, though the exact cause remains unclear.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is clinical, based on the presence of a tremor that worsens with voluntary movement. Neuroimaging is typically used to rule out other causes of tremor.

Treatment:
Treatment may involve medications like beta-blockers (propranolol), anticonvulsants (primidone), or botulinum toxin injections. In severe cases, deep brain stimulation surgery may be considered.

Medications:
Beta-blockers (propranolol ) and anticonvulsants (primidone ) are commonly prescribed. These medications are classified as anti-tremor agents and are used to reduce the intensity of tremors.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 4-5% of people over the age of 40, with a higher prevalence in those over 65.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history (essential tremor is often hereditary), age, and in some cases, environmental exposures.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
It is generally not life-threatening but is a progressive condition that can worsen over time, especially if untreated.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Impairment in daily functioning (e.g., difficulty writing, eating, and dressing), social embarrassment, and anxiety related to tremor severity.

Huntington’s disease (late-onset cases)

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders

Sub-category: Movement Disorders

Symptoms:
chorea (involuntary jerky movements); dystonia (muscle contractions); cognitive decline; psychiatric symptoms (depression, irritability, anxiety); difficulty with speech and swallowing; unsteady gait

Root Cause:
A genetic neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the HTT gene, leading to the accumulation of abnormal huntingtin protein, which damages brain cells in regions controlling movement and cognition.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is confirmed through genetic testing, which identifies the mutation in the HTT gene. Clinical evaluation includes assessment of movement disorders, cognitive decline, and psychiatric symptoms.

Treatment:
There is no cure, but symptoms can be managed. Medications for movement symptoms (e.g., tetrabenazine, antipsychotics for chorea), antidepressants, and cognitive therapies.

Medications:
Tetrabenazine (for chorea) and antipsychotic medications like olanzapine or risperidone may be prescribed. These drugs are classified as neuroleptics or antipsychotic agents, and tetrabenazine is a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitor.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Late-onset Huntington’s disease is rare but typically affects individuals in their 40s or later. The overall prevalence of Huntington's disease is about 3 to 7 per 100,000 people worldwide.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Inherited mutation in the HTT gene, with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Age of onset is usually in mid-life for late-onset cases.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive disease, with a gradual decline in motor, cognitive, and psychiatric functions. Individuals typically live 10 to 20 years after the onset of symptoms.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cognitive decline, psychiatric issues (depression, suicidal thoughts), difficulty swallowing (increased risk of aspiration), and mobility impairments.

Stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic)

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders

Sub-category: Neurological Conditions

Symptoms:
sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body); sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination

Root Cause:
Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, causing bleeding.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Medical history review. Physical and neurological exams. Imaging tests like CT scan, MRI, or angiography. Blood tests.

Treatment:
Ischemic stroke - Thrombolytics (clot-busting drugs), antiplatelet therapy, surgery, rehabilitation. Hemorrhagic stroke - Surgery to repair blood vessels, blood pressure management, and other supportive treatments.

Medications:
Ischemic stroke - Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to dissolve blood clots (thrombolytic), antiplatelets (e.g., aspirin ), anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin ), statins to lower cholesterol. Hemorrhagic stroke - Medications to control bleeding and reduce brain pressure (e.g., mannitol ), blood pressure medication, anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin if seizures occur).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 15 million people worldwide annually, with about 5 million deaths and 5 million permanent disabilities.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High blood pressure, smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, family history, older age, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Can range from full recovery to permanent disability depending on severity and timely treatment. Rehabilitation is essential for recovery.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Paralysis, speech and language problems, cognitive deficits, depression, increased risk of recurrent strokes, pneumonia, and blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis).

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders

Sub-category: Neurological Conditions

Symptoms:
difficulty walking (gait disturbance); urinary incontinence; cognitive impairment (memory problems, confusion)

Root Cause:
An accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain's ventricles that causes pressure but with normal CSF pressure levels.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
MRI or CT scans. Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to assess CSF dynamics. Clinical evaluation.

Treatment:
Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery to drain excess fluid.

Medications:
No specific medications for treatment; surgery is the main approach.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 1 in 1,000 older adults, though many cases go undiagnosed.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age, previous brain injury, infections affecting the brain.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Can improve significantly with shunt surgery, but outcomes vary based on the severity of symptoms before treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Gait problems, cognitive decline, persistent urinary incontinence.

Seizure Disorders (e.g., Late-Onset Epilepsy)

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders

Sub-category: Neurological Conditions

Symptoms:
uncontrollable shaking or jerking of the body; loss of consciousness; temporary confusion, staring spells; aura (a sensation before a seizure)

Root Cause:
Abnormal electrical activity in the brain leading to seizures, often due to brain injury, tumors, or strokes in older adults.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
EEG (electroencephalogram). MRI or CT scan. Blood tests.

Treatment:
Anticonvulsant medications (e.g., valproate, levetiracetam). Lifestyle modifications and seizure triggers management.

Medications:
Levetiracetam (anticonvulsant). Lamotrigine (anticonvulsant). Valproate (anticonvulsant).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy at some point in their life; late-onset epilepsy is more common in older adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Stroke, brain injury, brain tumors, infections, Alzheimer’s disease.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with appropriate treatment; seizures can be controlled in many cases, but in some, they may persist despite medication.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cognitive impairments, memory loss, risk of falls, social stigma, depression, injury due to falls during seizures.