2. Older People's Health

Question 1

What happens in the respiratory system with ageing?

Answer 1

Lung and chest wall compliance decrease with advancing age
TLC, FVC, FEV1 and vital capacity are all reduced
Due to reducing in elastic support of airways

Question 2

What conditions can arise due to the ageing process in the respiratory system?

Answer 2

Atelectasis
PE
Pneumonia

Question 3

What happens to the skin with ageing?

Answer 3

Thin skin

Fragile subcutaneous blood vessels so bruise easily

Question 4

What happens to theCVS with ageing?

Answer 4

Large and medium sized vessels become less elastic and therefore less compliant
Results in raised systemic vascular resistance and hypertension, leading to left ventricular hypertrophy

Question 5

Why are heart block, ectopic beats, arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation more prevalent with increasing age?

Answer 5

Cardiac conducting cells decrease

Question 6

What happens to the renal system with ageing?

Answer 6

GFR decreases by 1% per year over the age of 20 due to progressive loss of renal cortical glomeruli