Chapter 4: Physical Changes Flashcards
Part of body most vulnerable to age-related changes
skin
Major age-related changes in skin
fewer melanocytes, thinning of epidermis, loss of elasticity and flexibility in connective tissue, loss of subcutaneous fat, reduced sebaceous and sweat gland activity
Epidermis
outermost layer of the skin that consists of a thin covering covering that protects the underlying tissue; loses regular patterning over time
Dermis
middle layer of the skin made of connective tissue which contain cells, glands, and hair follicles
Changes in 2 types of protein molecules that make up dermis
collagen undergoes cross-linking and elastin is less able to return to original shape after stretching from movements which causes skin to sag, become more rigid, and less flexible
Subcutaneous fat layer
bottommost layer of the skin that gives its opacity and smoothes curves of the arms, legs, and face; begins to thin which worsens wrinkling and sagging from changes in dermis, and makes blood vessels more visible
Age-related changes in the face
bone loss in skull (particularly jaw), elongation of nose and ears due to changes in cartilage, muscles’ loss of ability to contract which reduces smiling width
Age-related changes in eyes
bags, small lines at creases (crow’s feet), dark pigmentation, puffiness, need for glasses
Photoaging
age-related changes in the skin due to radiation from the sun
Effects of photoaging
changes in collagen and elastin molecules that contribute to wrinkling and sagging of skin, and discoloration due to changes in pigmentation
Cause of greying of hair
hair loses its pigment as the production of melanin slows and eventually stops
Hair loss
destruction of germination centres that produce hair in hair follicles
Androgenetic alopecia
most common form of hair loss wherein hair follicles stop producing terminal hair and instead produce vellus hair
Cause of decrease in height
loss of bone material in vertebrae causing spine to collapse and shorten
Body Mass Index (BMI)
an index of body fat calculated by weight in kg/height in meters; increases over time as fat-free mass or lean tissue decreases
Changes in gait in later adulthood
slowing, impaired balance and stability, lower extremity strength, and a fear of falling
Sarcopenia
progressive age-related loss of muscle mass with consequent loss of strength (primary aging); begins at age ~35
Effects of sarcopenia
decline in speed and strength (fast-twitch muscle fibers) but retained muscular endurance and minor effects on eccentric strength
Sarcopenic obsesity
individual both loses muscle and gains body fat
Best way to counteract sarcopenia
strength training with free weights or resistance machines
Bone remodelling
reconstruction of bones in which old cells are destroyed and replaced by new ones
Plaque
hard deposits inside arterial walls formed by fats circulating throughout the blood that consist of cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and fibrin (clotting material in blood)
Measures of cardiovascular efficiency
aerobic capacity and cardiac output
Aerobic capacity
maximum amount of oxygen that can be delivered through the blood
Cardiac output
amount of blood that the heart pumps per minute
High-density lipoproteins (HDLs)
“good” cholesterol that transports lipids out of the body
Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs)
“bad” cholesterol that transports cholesterol to arteries
Lung age
mathematical function showing how old your lung is based on both age and a measure obtained from a spirometer called forced expiratory volume
2 ways to minimize the effect of aging on respiratory system
stay away from or quit smoking, and exercise which improves ability of lungs to expand and contract
Nephrons
tiny filters that cleanse the blood of metabolic waste, which combine in the bladder with excess water from blood and are eliminated as urine
Urge incontinence
form of urinary incontinence where one experiences a sudden need to urinate and may even leak
Stress incontinence
individual is unable to retain urine while engaging in some form of physical exertion
Overactive bladder
need to urinate more often than normal and incontinence
Age-related changes in the digestive system
decrease in saliva production, loss of lower jaw’s ability to move while chewing, loss of esophagus’ ability to contract and expand, fewer gastric juices secreted in stomach
Presbyopia
loss of ability to adjust and focus vision on close objects due to thickening and hardening of the lens, resulting in the need for reading glasses; affects the entire population by age 50
Cataract
clouding or opacity in the lens because retina cannot clearly focus on images; leading cause of blindness worldwide
Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)
impairment of central vision caused by damage to the photoreceptors in the macula that affects 15% of those 80+; increased risk from exposure to sunlight and smoking
Macula
central region of the retina that is normally used for reading, driving, and other visually demanding activities
2 forms of ARMD
dry form where drusen or yellow deposits under the retina develops in the macula (no known treatment) and wet form where blood vessels in the retina leak blood or fluid
Glaucoma
a group of conditions causing loss of peripheral vision (may lead to blindness) due to destruction of neurons, from the retina to the optic nerve, by increased pressure within the eyeball; no early symptoms or pain
Presbycusis
degenerative changes, occurring from the cochlea or auditory nerve to the brain, that are associated with loss of hearing high-pitched sounds
Tinnitus
symptom in which an individual perceives sounds in the head or ear (e.g. ringing noise) when there is no external source
2 symptoms most often associated with age-related vestibular dysfunction
dizziness and vertigo
Dizziness
uncomfortable sensation of feeling light-headed and even floating
Vertigo
sensation of spinning even when the body is at rest
Fear of falling
unhealthy form of identity accommodation wherein individuals increase their perceived instability, thus further restricting their movement
Chemosensation
chemical sensing system for smell and taste wherein sensory receptors are triggered when molecules released by substances stimulate cells in the mouth, nose, or throat
Somatosensory system
sends information about touch, temperature, and position to the nervous system
Proprioception
awareness of bodily position and movement by providing information about position of limbs when you are you are standing still
Kinesthesis
awareness of bodily movement
Common changes in vision from primary aging
decrease in amount of light passing through, increased sensitivity to glare, light/dark adaptation declines, gradual decline in peripheral vision
Common vision condition due to primary aging
presbyopia
Common vision conditions due to secondary aging
cataract, macular degeneration, glaucoma
Causes for declines in balance
declines in vestibular function and proprioception (primary aging), vertigo and dizziness (secondary aging)
Multifactorial causes for progressive, age-related loss of muscle tissue and strength
changes in hormones, disuse, chronic disease, nutritional deficiencies
Ligament
short band of tough, flexible, fibrous connective tissue that connects 2 bones or cartilages or holds together a joint; becomes less elastic over time and prone to damage/tearing
Osteoarthritis
cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints gradually deteriorates; somewhere between primary and secondary aging
Risks for osteoarthritis increase with…
age, sex (more likely in women), past injury, genetics, obesity (due to extra weight on joints)
Common symptoms for osteoarthritis
pain, tenderness, stiffness, swelling, loss of flexibility, grating sensations (bones), bone spurs (extra bits of bone growing around joints)
Treatments for osteoarthritis
exercise and weight control, medications, injections, physical/occupational therapy, surgery
Osteoporosis or “the silent thief”
low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue (secondary aging); more common in menopausal women
Why are women more at risk of osteoporosis?
less bone mass, greater rate of bone density decreases, insufficient dietary calcium, less weight bearing activities, low levels of estrogen
Risk factors for osteoporosis
genes, previous falls and broken bones, smoking, alcohol, certain medications, where you live
Preventative measures for osteoporosis
assessment 65+ (50+ if person has broken a bone), calcium and vitamin D intake, exercise, avoiding smoking and alcohol
Most common causes for falls in elderly
accidents, difficulty with walking gait/balance, dizziness, vertigo, fainting, drop attacks, postural hypotension (lightheadedness from changing positions)
Most common risk factors for falling
muscle weakness, balance deficit, walking gait deficit, mobility limitations, vision problems, postural hypotension
Prevention for falls
eliminate environmental risks and modify home, screening and treatment, assistive devices, exercise program (e.g. tai chi), medication
Age-related changes in height
females loss ~2” and males lose ~1” due to postural changes, spinal compression
Age-related changes in weight
gains in fat and loss of lean muscle in 20s-mid 50s then loss of muscle, bone, and some fat in older age
