Biologic/Medical Aspects of Aging Flashcards
What theory suggests aging is caused, in part, by the gradual accumulation of cellular injuries?
Cell Damage Theory of Aging
What are the 2 major types of cell damage that occur which promote aging?
1) Exposure to free radicals
2) Glycosylation (binding of glucose to cell proteins which decreases ability to generate metabolic energy)
What theory suggests aging is the result of cell senescence where cells cease to divide properly because telomeres get shorter and shorter with each division?
Program Theories of Aging
What is the name of the disease associated with pre-mature aging?
HGPS–Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome.
Often just called “progeria”
Although, research is ongoing, what is thought to be the cause(s) of progeria?
1) Limited ability of cells to divide (10 divisions rather than a typical 50 over the lifetime)
2) Lower levels of antioxidant activity
When do the physiologic changes of aging become clinically significant?
When the aged organ/system is stressed by injury, surgery, or illness. They are then often unable to compensate.
What is the typical pattern for the GFR as people age?
1% reduction in GFR per year after the age of 40
Where is the best place to assess muscle wasting on the PE?
temporal region of the head
True/False: Heart and diaphragmatic muscle mass decreases with age.
False
Decreased activity/deconditioning is reason for sarcopenia
What is the most important thing to remember about disease presentation in the elderly?
Often atypical!! Symptoms often reflect an aging organ system that cannot respond well to stress. (Ex: aged brain may be more apt to have symptoms of confusion with infection. Or patient with aged heart may have more fatigue with infection.) Symptoms may not point to underlying cause!
Clinical term for “sadness”
dysphoria
Altered disease presentation in the elderly: Symptoms of mental confusion resembling dementia might actually be ______________
depression
Your 87 year old male patient presents with a rapid respiratory rate, mental confusion, and pneumonia-like symptoms. He has no fever and his WBC is 9.0. His CXR is clear. Are you concerned?
Cannot rule out a silent infection! Acute abdominal infections may present with little/no pain and the symptoms listed above were used in the example for appendicitis
How is an MI likely to present in an elderly patient?
1/3 have NO CHEST PAIN.
1) vague ill feeling
2) dyspnea
3) exercise intolerance
Your elderly patient’s daughter is concerned over new symptoms of fatigue, decreased physical activity, depression, and mental confusion. What might this be?
thyroid imbalance (hyperthyroid)
Why might you recommend against bed-rest in an elderly patient who is ill?
1 day of bed-rest = 3 days of recovery from deconditioning
