Frailty syndrome
Frailty syndrome
Frailty syndrome (pronunciation: /ˈfreɪlti ˈsɪndroʊm/) is a common condition in older adults, characterized by a vulnerability to adverse health outcomes due to age-related decline in physiological reserve and function across multiple organ systems.
Etymology
The term "frailty" comes from the Old French word frele, which means "weak" or "fragile". The term "syndrome" is derived from the Greek word syndromē, which means "concurrence of symptoms" or "concurrence of things running together".
Definition
Frailty syndrome is a clinical state in which there is an increase in an individual's vulnerability for developing increased dependency and/or mortality when exposed to a stressor. It can result from a range of diseases and medical conditions.
Symptoms
Symptoms of frailty syndrome can include fatigue, weight loss, muscle weakness, slow walking speed, and low levels of physical activity. These symptoms can lead to a decreased ability to recover from illnesses or physical challenges.
Related Terms
- Geriatrics: The branch of medicine that focuses on health promotion and the prevention and treatment of disease and disability in later life.
- Sarcopenia: A syndrome characterized by progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength.
- Comorbidity: The simultaneous presence of two or more diseases or medical conditions in a patient.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of frailty syndrome is often based on the presence of three or more of the following criteria: unintentional weight loss, self-reported exhaustion, weakness (as measured by grip strength), slow walking speed, and low physical activity.
Treatment
Treatment for frailty syndrome often involves a multidimensional approach, including nutrition, physical therapy, and medication management. The goal of treatment is to improve the individual's functional status and quality of life, and to reduce the risk of adverse health outcomes.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Frailty syndrome
- Wikipedia's article - Frailty syndrome
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