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Chapter 16 - Neurologic Problems

from Section III - Care of the Elderly by Organ System

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 June 2022

By
Steven Tam  and
K. A. Manisha Perera
Edited by
Jan Busby-Whitehead ,
Samuel C. Durso ,
Christine Arenson ,
Rebecca Elon ,
Mary H. Palmer  and
William Reichel
Jan Busby-Whitehead
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Samuel C. Durso
Affiliation:
The Johns Hopkins University, Maryland
Christine Arenson
Affiliation:
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
Rebecca Elon
Affiliation:
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Mary H. Palmer
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
William Reichel
Affiliation:
Georgetown University Medical Center
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Summary

As the population continues to age, clinicians will increasingly encounter neurological conditions in routine clinical practice. Neurological problems in the elderly have a profound impact on quality of life and can at times be life-threatening. Diagnosis and management of geriatric neurological problems is complicated by often vague presentations and the presence of comorbid conditions, as well as complex physiology and pharmacology in this age group. Moreover, when caring for these patients it is of utmost importance to have a holistic approach and include family and caregivers when developing care plans. In this chapter we review muscle weakness, sensory loss, seizure disorders, and headaches in the elderly patient. Causes, impact on quality of life, and available treatment options are discussed. Other topics including delirium, dementia, cerebrovascular disease, and gait disorders will be covered elsewhere.

Keywords

geriatric neurologyweaknessseizureneuropathyheadache
Type
Chapter
Information
Reichel's Care of the Elderly
Clinical Aspects of Aging
 , pp. 189 - 207
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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