HLTH 2501: aging and disease process Flashcards
when does aging become evident?
around age 30 and depends on genetic makeup, lifestyle, and health status
senescence
refers to the period of life from old age to death
what gender lives longer?
women
what factors can prevent aging?
improved social conditions, improved nutrition, exercise, and cognitive activities
what are organs or tissues that cannot regenerate?
the brain and the myocardium
theories of aging
through cell apoptosis; through wear and tear causing cellular damage due to changes in collagen and elastic fibres, as well as altered protein components; errors during mitosis; through viruses and autoimmune reactions; and through free radicals
what are free radicals?
reactive chemicals produced during cell metabolism such as peroxides; these can damage nucleic acids and cells
telomeres
are the end of a DNA strand that protect our chromosomes
changes in tissues due to aging
less regular arrangement of cells can be a due to a decrease in elasticity and collagen of tissues and decreased mitosis
why does mitosis slow with aging?
due to a slower metabolic rate
hormones and aging
hormone secretions remain stable but the number of tissue receptors may decrease, thus decreasing the body’s response to hormones
why is type 2 diabetes common in older people?
because there are decreased tissue receptors for insulin
what hormone structures remain stable during aging?
pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, and pancreas
what is menopause?
when the ovaries cease to produce estrogen and progesterone, causing FSH and LH to ris
what are changes associated with menopause?
thinning of the mucosa, loss of elasticity, decreased glandular secretions in the vagina and cervix, decreased breast tissue, and more alkaline pH of the vagina; this can lead to inflammation and painful sexual intercourse
why are menopausal women at risk for recurrent vaginal infections?
because the pH of their vaginal secretions increases, thus microorganisms are likely to be here
systemic signs of menopause
hot flashes, headaches, irritability, and insomnia
aging males and testosterone
as testosterone levels decline, the testes decrease in size, sperm production is reduced, and the glandular secretions of the prostate decrease
benign prostatic hypertrophy
is common in older males when the central part of the gland around the urethra hypertrophies, resulting in some obstruction
changes in the skin during aging
the skin thins, become fragile, the glands atrophy, wound healing is delayed, less blood supply, less receptors, wrinkles, stig tages, keratoses, and less melanocytes causing grey hair
what causes wrinkly skin?
decrease in elastic fibres and collagen fibres become less flexible
heart changes during aging
occurs in the cardiac muscle fibres and CT, causing the left ventricle to appear smaller, the myocardium to shrink, and for heart valves to thicken
why is impulse conduction of the heart impaired during aging?
due to the accumulation of fatty tissue and collagen fibres
how to maintain heart health during aging?
adequate fluid intake and exercise
what causes the atreial walls to thicken?
the accumulation of collagen and this may impair expansion of the large arteries and cause obstructions, leading to arteriosclerosis and elevated BP
erosclerosis
is the accumulation of cholesterol and lipids in the walls of large arteries; this predisposes thrombus formation
what is osteoporosis common in?
menopausal women
where are fractures common in those with osteoporosis?
the spine, pelvis, and limbs
factors leading to osteoporosis?
hereditary predisposition, decreased estrogen levels, decreased weight wearing activity, decreased calcium, vitamin C and D intake, decreased intestinal absorption of calcium, and decreased osteoblast activity
what can cause decreased osteoblast activity?
increased glucocorticoid use
recommendations to decrease risk and progression of osteoporosis?
increased calcium and vitamin D intake, walking and weight bearing exercises, PT, hormonal therapy (estrogen), and biphosphate drugs
function of biphosphate drugs
inhibit bone resorption; ex. alendronate sodium
osteoarthritis
occurs when the cartilage in joints become thin and erosions occur, impairing movements and causing pain
herniated intervertebral disc
occurs when the fibrocartilage in the intervertebral discs degenerates, causing pressure on the spinal nerves and resulting in back pain
musculoskeletal changes with aging
osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, herniated intervertebral disc, declining skeletal muscle mass (can cause ulcers), decreasing muscle contractions, decreased flexibility, slower movements, and decreasing balance
reasons why ventilation may be impaired during aging?
decreased elasticity in the lungs, calcified costal cartilage, and weakened and atrophied skeletal muscle
what is the result of impaired ventilation?
expiration is reduced and residual volume increases, coughing efficiency is reduced, secretions accumulate, and risk for pneumonia increases
vascular degeneration in the lungs
decreases the efficiency of gas exchange, leading to increased CO2 levels and low O2 levels
how can brain function be preserved?
exercise and stimulation of cognitive function
how does the brain change with aging?
neurons decline, lipids accumulate in neurons, myelin sheath decreases, plaques form, abnormal neurofibrils develop, and there is a decreased response to neurotransmitters
neurofibrils
masses of tiny, tangled fibres
why do neurofibrils and plaques increase with aging?
due to organic brain syndrome (includes senile dementia and Alzheimer’s)
general changes in neurologic function older individuals
slower response time, decreased reflexes, and short-term memory lapses
ANS degeneration
causes decreased tolerance to extreme hot or tol, poor blood circulation, decreased metabolism, and decreased activity levels
how does the eye degenerate with aging?
the iris and its associated muscles degenerate, resulting in decreased adaptation of the pupil to light and possible obstruction of aqueous humor; this can cause intraocular pressure, glaucoma, impaired night vision, and cataracts
what does the lens appear as during aging?
larger, yellow, less elastic, and less transparent
hearing loss for aging
occurs in inner ear in either the nerve receptor cells of the cochlea or the nerve fibres supplying the ears
taste due to aging
taste is altered by reduced salivary secretions or decreased perception within the CNS
smell and aging
the ability to discriminate among odors is reduced
mouth changes and aging
loss of teeth may occur due to periodontal disease, there are decreased salivary secretions (this can cause difficulty chewing), the mucosa thins, blood flow is reduced, and swallowing difficulties may arise
periodontal disease
inflammation and infection in the tissue surrounding the teeth
xerostomia
aka dry mouth; is common in aging due to decreased saliva
what may cause swallowing difficulties in older individuals?
neurological causes, scar tissue, or hiatal hernia
obesity and aging
is common as the basal metabolic rate decreases; this can lead to increased cardiac workload, atherosclerosis, hypertension, gallstones, and diabetes
what does nutrient absorption decline with aging?
because the mucosa and glands of the GI tract atrophy and are reduced; this can cause nutrient deficiency and peptic ulcers
cancer and aging
is common in the reproductive organs due to decreased hormone secretion, as well in the stomach and colon due to constipation
factors leading to constipation in the elderly
low fibre, low fluid intake, low activity, and excessive use of laxatives
what can chronic constipation lead to?
hemorrhoids
why does kidney function decrease with age?
due to loss of glomeruli and degeneration of the tubules and vessels
what is the result of kidney impairment?
the kidneys have a diminished ability to compensate for changes in electrolyte and pH balance, as well have a reduced ability to secrete drugs into the urine
what is the result of reduced bladder emptying?
frequency, nocturia, and infection
nocturia
frequent urination during the night
result of childbirth to pelvic floor
the muscles have been stretched and weakened, reducing the ability for the external sphincter to restrict urinary outflow
why might urinary incontinence occur?
reduced sensory perception of a full bladder and a weakened urethra sphincter
why are infections common in the elderly?
poor circulation impairs the normal defence mechanisms and tissue healing is delayed due to reduced mitosis
how does the immune system age?
decreased production of T cells, B cells, and mature lymphocytes; the antibody pool may be large but the body is less effective at fighting new microbes
multiple disorders and aging
these are common in the older population, and many conditions can lead to subsequent problems; also due to the large number of medications they may be taking, as undesirable drug interactions may develop
