Main description:

DDDDDDDDDDDD Effective management logically follows accurate diagnosis. Such logic often is difficult to apply in practice. Absolute diagnostic accuracy may not be possible, particularly in the field of primary care, when management has to be on analyis of symptoms and on knowledge of the individual patient and family. This series follows that on Problems in Practice which was concerned more with diagnosis in the widest sense and this series deals more defini tively with general care and specific treatment of symptoms and diseases. Good management must include knowledge of the nature, course and outcome of the conditions, as well as prominent clinical features and as sessment and investigations, but the emphasis is on what to do best for the patient. Family medical practitioners have particular difficulties and advantages in their work. Because they often work in professional islation in the com munity and deal with relatively small numbers of near-normal patients their experience with the more serious and more rare conditions is restricted. They find it difficult to remain up-to-date with medical advances and even more difficult to decide on the suitability and application of new and rela tively untried methods compared with those that are 'old' and well proven. Their advantages are that because of long-term continuous care for their patients they have come to know them and their families well and are able to become familiar with the more common and less serious diseases of their communities.

Contents:

Section 1 The Nature of the Problem.- Epidemiology.- Special factors in the management of disease in the elderly.- Ageing changes.- The causes and prevention of disability and disease.- Attitudes to management.- Principles of prescribing.- The nature of some common diseases.- Organization of care for the elderly.- Section 2 Symptoms and their Differential Diagnosis.- Palpitations.- Breathlessness.- Cough.- Swollen legs.- 'Going off his feet' syndrome.- Fits, faints and falls.- Aches and pains.- Constipation and diarrhoea.- Failing eyesight and hearing.- Incontinence.- Confusion.- Misery, apathy and sleep problems.- Collapse.- Section 3 Specific Disease Complexes.- Abnormalities of blood pressure.- Ischaemic heart disease.- Cardiac dysrhythmias.- Heart failure.- Bone disease of ageing.- Diseases affecting muscles and joints.- Strokes.- Parkinsonism and tremor.- Incontinence.- The elderly disabled.- Pain relief.- Anaemia.- Thyroid disorders.- Diabetes mellitus.- Psychiatric disorders.