Geriatric Oral Medicine Geriatrics Flashcards
What are the three major causes of death in elderly patients?
Heart Disease
Cancer
Stroke
What are three age-related systemic changes to the cardiovascular system
- Stiffening of aorta
- Reduction in max cardiac output
- Coronary artery disease
What are some neurologic changes that are age related; what do they lead to?
Decreased cerebral blood perfusion
Decreased nerve transmitter function
Lead to loss of sensory function, delirium and confusion
What are some renal age-related changes?
Declines one percent each year after age 30
Decrease in renal mass of 30% with reduced GFR
What are some endocrine age-related changes?
Thyroid, glycemic control, adrenal function
What are some GI age-related changes?
Reduced gastric emptying
Decreased motility and absorption
What are some hepatic age-related changes?
Blood flow and mass decrease -> affects drug metabolism
Define immunosenescence
Refers to changes in the immune system as a result of aging
Cellular and molecular alterations affect what types of immunity?
Innate and adaptive
Immunosenescence increases what?
Susceptibility to infectious disease, malignancies, and autoimmune disorders
What are three common systemic diseases in older adults?
Dementia/Alzheimer’s
Parkinson’s Arthritis
What are some Sensory changes in elderly patients?
Decline in olfactory function
Taste dysfunction
What are some motor changes in elderly patients?
-Changes in masticatory function -> difficulty chewing
Difficulty swallowing
What are four systemic diseases affecting oral motor function?
- Parkinson disease
- Head and neck cancer
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cerebrovascular accident
How does orofacial pain change in elderly patients?
- Altered pain responses in elderly
- Diminished pulpal sensitivity
