A general physician is a doctor who practises medicine, works primarily in a hospital setting and uses mostly non-surgical methods of treatment. Physicians treat all sorts of illnesses but usually specialise in a particular area of medicine, such as geriatric medicine. The unique combination of knowledge, training and skills distinguishes general physicians from other medical specialists and general practitioners.
Geriatric medicine focuses on medical issues and diseases of ageing, and of old age. A Geriatrician most often treats people over the age of 60 who are either unhealthy or have multiple medical issues. Medical care becomes more complicated as you age and encounter more medical conditions. A Geriatrician is an expert in how medical conditions impact one another, in how each medication interacts with others and how both medical conditions and medications uniquely affect you as you age. Common conditions treated by a Geriatrician include memory problems, falls, osteoporosis, frailty, hypertension, heart failure and stroke.
A stroke is caused when there is interruption to the blood supply to the brain, which is often the result of a blood clot in a cerebral (brain) artery (ischaemic stroke). It may also be caused by the rupturing of a blood vessel in or near the brain (haemorrhagic stroke).
Some patients may suffer from a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), which is sometimes known as a “mini-stroke”, because the symptoms last less than 24 hours. Other patients have symptoms that mimic a stroke, and may also be seen by stroke physicians.
Should you suffer from a TIA, it is important that you are urgently assessed and treated by a stroke specialist. A Stroke Physician is an expert in assessing and investigating risk factors for TIA and stroke, and will initiate treatment in order to reduce the risk of recurrence. Stroke physicians also provide specialist care for those who have suffered a stroke, in acute and rehabilitation stroke units, as part of a multidisciplinary stroke service. Following treatment on a stroke unit, a Stroke Physician will provide follow-up in the clinic setting, to ensure that medical treatments are optimised to reduce the risk of recurrence, and to assess for and treat complications, such as fatigue, depression, pain.