Aging and effects on the body

Question 1

what age limit defines the older population?

Answer 1

65 and above

Question 2

what feature of skin diminishes as you get older?

Answer 2

elasticity -> more stretchy skin and more skin tears

Question 3

aging impact on the respiratory system

Answer 3

• ## reduced elastic recoil in the alveoli - reduced TLC, FVS, FEV1

Question 4

what are some risk factors that effect the lungs

Answer 4

• work exposure
• smoke exposure
• repeated infections
• chemical/toxins

Question 5

what are you at risk of with reduced lung function?

Answer 5

• greater risk of resp infections
• acutely unwell, hospitilisation -> need oxygen and iV
• more prone to post operatuve complications:
• atelectasis (collapse of lung due to reduced gas exchange), pneumonia, PE

Question 6

effect of age on CVS

Answer 6

• blood vessels become more stiff
• arteries are less expandable
• increase in resistance -> hypertension
• increased risk of LV hypertrophy (heart owkrs harder)
• reduced LV volume
  **heart failure **

Question 7

risks of uncontrolled hypertension

Answer 7

• stroke
• MI
• CKD
• heart failure
• AF
• AAA
• damage to vision (microvascular)
• vascular dementia

Question 8

atrial fibrillation due to hypertension

Answer 8

• hypertension = increase of stretch on atria
• new foci of electrical activity
• (wavy baseline, absense of p waves, random QRS)

Question 9

effect of aging on renal system

Answer 9

• GFR decreases
• structural changes
• atheroma
• reduce CO
  -> can be a problem becaus emost medications are filtered out from kidney and so patients cant remove drug properly

Question 10

co-morbidities that impact renal system

Answer 10

diabetes -> diabetic neuropathy (damage to microvascular structures due to persistant hypergylcemia)
hypertension -> damage structures, treating High Bp can also damage kidneys, ACEi and NSAIDS

Question 11

effect on the MSK

Answer 11

muscle multifactorial -> diet oestrogen important in protecting bone density

Question 12

effect on the gi system

Answer 12

• reduced liver function
• slower transit of food (more constipation)
• reduced absorption

Question 13

malnutrition

Answer 13

• nutrition essential for recovery
• increased risk of pressure ulcers, wound breakdown

Question 14

nuerological effects

Answer 14

• Brain undergoes changes as we age
  – Some parts shrink – particularly areas related to learning and complex mental activities
  – Senescence of some cells
  – Reduced communication between neurons
  – Reduction in blood flow
  – Neuronal density reduces by almost 1/3 by the age of 80

Question 15

dementia

Answer 15

• ## vascular changes in the fronto-temporal lobe

Question 16

why do we need to provide a holisitic approach

Answer 16

• patient can have issues with multiple organs
• side effects and physiological stress

Question 17

how to prescribe with patients suffering from renal an dliver problems

Answer 17

• dose reduction
• alternatives
• close monitoring

Question 18

what can be a reason for sudden change in delerium?

Answer 18

• acute changes in cognitive function