4. Physical Changes Flashcards
Includes chapter 4 and both lectures
1
Q
what are some common changes in vision as a result of primary aging?
A
- more sensitivity to glare
- light/dark adaptation declines
- sensitivity to glare makes it hard to adjust when it’s bright
- decrease in amount of light passing through iris makes it hard to see when it’s dark
- gradual decreasing peripheral vision
2
Q
what is presbyopia?
A
- lens’s ability to adjust and focus declines as the lens stiffens
- harder to see close objects and time it takes for eyes to adjust is longer
- most get reading glasses, but this also affects driving
- result of primary aging, affects the entire population by age 50
- process is accelerated by smoking
- blue-blocking lenses can help
3
Q
what are cataracts?
A
- clouding or opacity in the lens that results in blurred or distorted vision as the retina cannot focus images
- starts as a gradual cloudiness that grows more opaque
- most often white, but can be yellow or brown as well
- bright lights may seem to have a halo around them
- develop as a normal part of aging, cause is not known
4
Q
what is age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)
A
- caused by damage to the photoreceptors in the central region of the retina (the macula)
- there are two forms of ARMD
- “dry” - people develop drusein in the macula (yellow deposits under the retina)
- “wet” - blood vessels in retina leak blood/fluid, progresses rapidly
5
Q
what are some risk factors and prevention strategies for cataracts?
A
- obesity, high blood pressure, high glucose levels, and excess blood lipids can affect the development
- for protection, we can use blue-blocking lenses and beta-carotene and vitamin C
- can be treated and fixed with surgery, only takes an hour and vision recovers within 1-7 days
6
Q
are there any treatments for ARMD?
A
- there are no known treatments but there are preventative measures we can take
- include beta-carotene in the diet and wear protective glasses (from blue and UV light)
7
Q
what is glaucoma?
A
- group of conditions that cause blindness due to destruction of neurons leading from the retina to the optic nerve
- usually destroyed by increased pressure within the eyeball
- develops gradually and painlessly with no symptoms so it is not detected until advanced stages
- causes a loss of peripheral vision and may cause remaining vision to diminish
8
Q
are there any treatments for glaucoma? what makes a person more likely to get it?
A
- causes of some forms of glaucoma can be controlled but not cured, others are successfully treated through surgery
- is more common in men, black people, and people living in urban areas
- also more common in people who are nearsighted, have diabetes, or have a familly history of glaucoma
- arthritis and obestiy are also risk factors
9
Q
what are some common hearing problems that develop with age?
A
- presbycusis and tinnitus
10
Q
what is presbycusis?
A
- degenerative changes occur in the cochlea or auditory nerve leading from the cochlea to the brain
- receptor cells triggered by high frequency stimuli are located toward the front of the cochlea
- associated with loss of hearing of high-pitched sounds
- can result from metabolic changes that affect the tissue in the wall of the cochlea
- leads to less amplification of sound
11
Q
what are some causes of presbycusis and how can we prevent it?
A
- sensory presbycusis is the result of chronic noise exposure
- increasing age in middle to later adulthood is associated with increases in the metabolic form of presbycusis
- best way to minimize risk of developing presbycusis is to reduce exposure to noise
12
Q
what is tinnitus?
A
- individual perceives sounds in the head or ear when there is no external source
- condition can be temporarily associated with use of aspririn, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory agents
- changes in the bones of the skull due to trauma and the buildup of wax in the ears may also contribute to tinnitus
13
Q
what are some treatments of tinnitus?
A
- treatments are available but there is no cure
- hearing aids can help
- can improve ability to understand speech by using communication strategies
- looking at the person speaking, having enough light to see, turn down background noise
14
Q
how do falls and fear of falling impact older people?
A
- falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults and common cause of TBI
- fear of falling becomes an unhealthy form of identity accommodation
- increases their perceived instability, making them perhaps more physiologically unstable as well
15
Q
what are some factors that contribute to age-related vestibular dysfunction?
A
- dizziness - uncomfortable sensation of feeling light-headed and even floating
- vertigo - sensation of spinning when the body is at rest
- vestibular system is intimately connected to other parts of the nervous system
- people may experience headache, muscular aches in the neck and back, and increased sensitivity to noise and bright lights
16
Q
why do we lose muscle as we age?
A
- loss of muscle strength sometimes comes from disrupted signals between the nervous system and muscles for contraction
- another reason for muscle loss is the tendons becoming stiffer, making it harder to move the joint and exert muscular strength
17
Q
why do our bones become more fragile as we age?
A
- we lose the sex hormones responsible for controlling bone remodelling
- bone remodelling - old cells are destroyed and replaced by new cells
- loss of collagen reduces bone’s flexibility in response to pressure
18
Q
how and why do our joints change as we get older?
A
- by the 20s and 30s, the articular cartilage that protects the joints has already begun to degenerate
- fibres in the joint capsule become less pliable, reducing flexibility
- stress and repeated use cause the joints to wear out more rapidly
- lowering body fat can help take some stress off of our joints
19
Q
what is sarcopenia and how can we slow the process?
A
- progressive, age related loss of muscle tissue and strength
- process of primary aging, greater loss of fast twitch fibres (used in speed and strength)
- slowed down by strength training
- increased risks of falls and risk of physical disability
20
Q
what are some possible causes of sarcopenia?
A
- changes in hormones
- not using the muscles enough
- chronic disease
- nutritional deficiencies
21
Q
what is osteoarthritis?
A
- a condition in which the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints gradually deteriorates
- not necessarily primary aging
- more common in women
- most commonly found in the finger joints, knees, and in the spine
22
Q
what are some factors that increase the risk of getting osteoarthritis?
A
- age, as we get older we are more likely
- sex, women are more likely
- injury
- genetics
- obesity, puts more strain on joints
23
Q
what are the common symptoms of osteoarthritis?
A
- pain
- tenderness
- stiffness
- swelling
- loss of flexibility
- grating sensations
- bone spurs
24
Q
what are some possible treatments of osteoarthritis?
A
- exercise and weight control
- medications for pain management
- injections to reduce swelling
- physical and occupational therapy
- surgery
- receive an injection of a synthetic material into an arthritic joint to replace the loss of synovial fluid
- inject sodium hyaluronate directly into the joint
- replacement of the joint
25
Q
what are ligaments and how do they change?
A
- ligaments - a short band of tough, flexible, fibrous connective tissue that connects two bones or cartilages or holds together a joint
- as we age, ligaments become less elastic → less flexible joints
- prone to damage or tearing
26
Q
how does aging affect the way we walk?
A
- advancing age causes reduced gait speed and step length
- shortens because weakening calf muscles can’t flex the ankles properly
- speed of walking decreases at 70, and decrease 15% each decade
- reduced gait speed helps avoid hazards but can also be less desirable sometimes
27
Q
why does our balance change as we age?
A
- people rely on pressure sensors in their legs and torso to maintain balance
- we reach optimal stability between ages 30 and 60
- we require hearing and vision to maintain balance
- stairs are a challenge because of leg pains, fear of falling, and slow gait
28
Q
how do hip fractures affect the older population, especially women?
A
- almost 50% of women will experience an osteoporatic fracture
- most of them are hip fractures which are the most dehabilitating
- hip fractures increase the risk of dying in the next year by 3x
- due to the lack of movement and mobility and nutrition while healing
29
Q
what is osteoporosis?
A
- a disease characterized by low bone mass (amount) and deterioration of bone tissue (quality)
- happens due to an imbalance between the rates of bone resorption and bone growth
- peak bone bass happens with 18-25
- it’s known as the “silent thief” - bone deterioration happens over time with no symptoms until a bone break happens
