8.1 Flashcards
middle adult hood
40-65 people start feeling the effects of aging
Most people reach their maximum height in their t
twenties and remain close to that height until around age 55. People then begin a “settling” process in which the bones attached to the spinal column become less dense. Although the loss of height is very slow, women average a 5 cm decline and men a 2.5 cm decline over the rest of the lifespan
osteoporosis
a condition in which minerals, especially calcium, leach from the bones, leading them to become brittle, fragile, and thin
visual acuity
the ability to discern fine spatial detail in both close and distant objects—begins to decline. The shape of the eye’s lens changes and its elasticity deteriorates, which makes it harder to focus images sharply onto the retina. The lens becomes less transparent, so less light passes through the eye
presbyopia
a nearly universal change in eyesight during middle adulthood that results in some loss of near vision
glaucoma
occurs when pressure in the fluid of the eye increases, either because the fluid cannot drain properly or because too much is produced. Around 1 to 2 percent of people over age 40 are afflicted
Age brings a loss of
cilia or hair cells in the inner ear; these transmit neural messages to the brain when vibrations bend them. Like the lens of the eye, the eardrum becomes less elastic with age, reducing sensitivity to sound
presbycusis
loss of the ability to hear sounds of high frequency
sound localization
People with hearing problems can also have trouble identifying the direction and origin of a sound,
female climacteric
At around age 45, women enter a period known as the climacteric, which lasts for 15 to 20 years.
the period that marks the transition from being able to bear children to being unable to do so
menopause
the cessation of menstruation
Perimenopause
describes this period prior to menopause when hormone production begins to change. It is marked by sometimes radical fluctuations in hormone levels, resulting in some of the same symptoms found in menopause
male climacteric
is the period of physical and psychological change in the reproductive system that occurs late in midlife, typically in a man’s fifties.
enlargement of the prostate gland.
Enlargement of the prostate produces problems with urination, including difficulty starting urination or a need to urinate frequently at night.
erectile dysfunction
in which men are unable to achieve or maintain an erection, becomes more common. Drugs such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis, as well as patches that deliver doses of testosterone, often provide effective treatment
Certain chronic diseases do begin to appear in middle adulthood
Arthritis typically begins after age 40, and diabetes is most likely to occur between ages 50 and 60, particularly in those who are overweight. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is one of the most frequent chronic disorders. Often called the “silent killer” because it is symptomless, hypertension, if left untreated, greatly increases the risk of strokes and heart disease. For such reasons, many preventive and diagnostic medical tests are routinely recommended for midlife adults.
Psychoneuroimmunologists,
who study the relationship between the brain, the immune system, and psychological factors, report that stress has three main consequences
stages of stress
First, stress has direct physiological effects, ranging from increased blood pressure and hormonal activity to decreased immune system response. Second, stress leads people to engage in unhealthy behaviours such as cutting back on sleep, smoking, drinking, or taking other drugs. Finally, stress has indirect effects on health-related behaviour. People under a lot of stress can be less likely to seek out good medical care, to exercise, or to comply with medical advice (Suinn, 2001; Suls and Wallston, 2003; Zellner et al., 2006). All of these can lead to or affect serious health conditions, including heart disease.
Type A behaviour pattern
characterized by competitiveness, impatience, and a tendency toward frustration and hostility. Type A people are extremely ambitious and they engage in polyphasic activities—multiple activities carried out simultaneously. They are the true multitaskers whom you see talking on their phones while working on their laptop computers while riding the commuter train—and eating breakfast. Easily angered, they become both verbally and nonverbally hostile if prevented from reaching their goals.
Type B behaviour pattern
characterized by noncompetitiveness, patience, and a lack of aggression. In contrast to Type As, Type Bs experience little sense of time urgency, and they are rarely hostile.
radiation therapy
in which radiation targets the tumour in an attempt to destroy it
chemotherapy
ingest controlled doses of toxic substances meant to poison the tumour
