Anti-aging medicine. What makes it different from geriatrics?
The growth in popularity of so-called "anti-aging" medicine challenges physicians to examine their attitudes about aging. Does one define aging as a predisposition to pathology or as part of the life cycle? Is longevity without the chronic diseases associated with aging a realistic goal? Anti-aging modalities being prescribed by some practitioners include hormone replacement therapies, vitamin and mineral supplements, diet, and exercise. Although diet, exercise, and some vitamin and mineral supplements are well-recognized as preventive measures, unproven hormone, mega-vitamin, and herbal therapies are controversial. Both the patient and the physician bring biases and values to the discussion of anti-aging medicine, and that combination will influence the treatment decisions.
Butler
R N
RN
Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, USA.
Fossel
M
M
Pan
C X
CX
Rothman
D
D
Rothman
S M
SM
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010819:Physician's Role; D011788:Quality of Life
D004366:Nonprescription Drugs