Growing Older Flashcards
What is senescence?
The process of ageing, whereby the body becomes less strong and efficient
5 biological factors that can cause severe brain loss before before age 65
Drug abuse- Any psychoactive drug can harm the brain, especially alcohol abuse over decades, which can cause Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (“wet brain”), because vitamin B1 is depleted.
Poor circulation- Everything that impairs blood flow — such as hypertension and cigarette smoking — impairs circulation in the brain and thus harms thinking
Viruses- Various membranes, called the blood–brain barrier, protect the brain from most viruses, but a few — including HIV and the prion that causes mad cow disease — cross that barrier and destroy neurons.
Genes- About 1 in 1,000 persons inherits a dominant gene for Alzheimer’s disease, and even fewer people inherit genes for other severe neurocognitive disorders. Genetic effects on the brain usually involve more than one gene, and they are also influenced by nurture, not just nature
Traumatic Brain Injury-Brain damage can be caused by a blow, by an extremely loud noise, or by rapid acceleration or deceleration of the head. Causes are many — a concussion in a football game, whiplash in a car crash, a punch in an assault, an explosion in a war. None of these usually causes permanent damage, but all can lead to a devastating disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
How can people improve the functions of their lungs?
Adults can maintain their breathing by exercising regularly and avoiding pollutants, including cigarette smoke.
What suggests that the ageing process is not dependent solely on time and genes?
Factors such as drug abuse, poor circulation, or pathology, are more likely responsible when someone experiences significant cognitive loss before age 65
What sleep patterns are unhealthy in adulthood?
Late-night screen time, coffee and alcohol consumption during the evening, and long afternoon naps all impede sufficient, sound sleep. Sleeping excessively and sleeping too little can cause many different problems.
What aspects of appearance signify that a person is ageing?
Skin becomes dryer, rougher, thinner, less flexible, and wrinkled.
As adults age, they tend to lose height, specifically in the trunk of the body, and experience an increase in waist circumference.
Muscles typically weaken; pockets of fat settle in the abdomen, upper arms, buttocks, and chin.
Adults stoop slightly when they stand.
How does sight change with age?
Nearsightedness increases in childhood and adolescence, then stabilizes in adulthood and reverses in midlife. It takes longer for older adults to adjust to darkness or glare, and motion perception and contrast sensitivity slow down.
Who is likely to experience hearing losses over time?
Hearing loss is not typically diagnosed until about age 60, but it may be apparent at far younger ages, even in adolescents.
The formation of new nerve cells is called?
Neurogenesis
As we age, the lens of the eye becomes less elastic and the cornea flattens. This leads to:
Farsightedness
People may become better athletes in their 30s than they were at an earlier age because of:
Intellectual and emotional maturity
Paige is 35. Research suggests that Paige likely feels ___ years ___ than her chronological age.
5 to 10; younger
