Condition Lookup

Weakness

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Falls, Mobility, and Frailty

Symptoms:
fatigue; difficulty lifting objects; decreased muscle strength; lack of energy; reduced endurance

Root Cause:
The decrease in muscle strength and function, which can be due to age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia), chronic diseases, or other health conditions affecting physical capacity.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is typically based on a combination of clinical evaluation, physical tests of strength and endurance, and ruling out underlying conditions such as anemia, infections, or neurological diseases.

Treatment:
Treatment involves addressing underlying causes (e.g., treating chronic disease, improving nutrition), strength-building exercises (such as resistance training), and sometimes physical therapy to improve mobility and function.

Medications:
In some cases, medications such as corticosteroids or anabolic agents may be prescribed to improve muscle mass and strength. Nutritional supplements, such as protein or vitamin D, may also be recommended.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 25% of older adults experience some form of weakness, with a higher prevalence in those with chronic conditions or frailty syndrome.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age, lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, chronic illnesses (e.g., heart disease, diabetes), neurological disorders, and medications that affect muscle function.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis varies depending on the underlying causes; with appropriate treatment, individuals can regain strength and improve their functional capacity, but frailty may persist in some cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Increased risk of falls, decreased mobility, disability, and potentially reduced independence.

Weight loss

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Falls, Mobility, and Frailty

Sub-category: Frailty Syndrome

Symptoms:
unexplained weight loss; fatigue; reduced appetite; muscle wasting; weakness

Root Cause:
Unintentional weight loss in older adults is often due to underlying medical conditions, such as cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, chronic infections, malnutrition, or the aging process itself (e.g., reduced caloric intake, metabolic changes).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, lab tests (e.g., thyroid function tests, electrolyte levels), and imaging studies to identify the cause of the weight loss.

Treatment:
Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause, such as treating infections, adjusting medications, or providing nutritional support (e.g., high-calorie supplements, improving diet, addressing digestive issues).

Medications:
Depending on the underlying cause, medications like appetite stimulants (e.g., megestrol acetate or dronabinol ), or medications to treat specific conditions (e.g., antibiotics for infections) may be used.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Weight loss is common in older adults, affecting approximately 5–10% of those over 65, particularly among those with chronic health conditions.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic illnesses (e.g., cancer, diabetes, heart disease), poor nutrition, depression, medication side effects, and digestive issues.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the cause; with proper treatment, weight can be regained, but ongoing monitoring is necessary to avoid further complications.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Muscle wasting, frailty, increased risk of infection, delayed wound healing, and reduced quality of life.

Reduced Physical Activity

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Falls, Mobility, and Frailty

Sub-category: Frailty Syndrome

Symptoms:
decreased ability to exercise; fatigue; increased sedentary behavior; difficulty with daily activities; weakness

Root Cause:
Reduced physical activity is often linked to aging, chronic diseases (e.g., arthritis, cardiovascular conditions), and psychological factors (e.g., depression, fear of falling).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is based on a history of reduced physical activity and a physical examination to assess mobility, muscle strength, and overall fitness levels. Specific tests may include gait speed, strength assessments, and functional performance evaluations.

Treatment:
Treatment involves encouraging regular physical activity tailored to the individual's abilities, such as walking, strength training, and balance exercises. Physical therapy and interventions to address underlying health issues may also be included.

Medications:
No specific medications are prescribed solely for reduced physical activity, but medications for underlying conditions (e.g., pain relief for arthritis or anti-depressants for depression) may help.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
A significant percentage of older adults (estimated at 30–40%) experience reduced physical activity, especially among those with chronic health issues or frailty syndrome.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age, chronic disease, pain (especially from conditions like arthritis), mental health issues (e.g., depression, anxiety), and lack of social support.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis improves with consistent, gradual reintroduction of physical activity and treatment of underlying conditions. Regular exercise can significantly reduce frailty and improve overall function.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Increased risk of falls, muscle atrophy, cardiovascular disease, metabolic decline, and worsened frailty.