HLTH 2501: aging and disease process

Question 1

when does aging become evident?

Answer 1

around age 30 and depends on genetic makeup, lifestyle, and health status

Question 2

senescence

Answer 2

refers to the period of life from old age to death

Question 3

what gender lives longer?

Answer 3

women

Question 4

what factors can prevent aging?

Answer 4

improved social conditions, improved nutrition, exercise, and cognitive activities

Question 5

what are organs or tissues that cannot regenerate?

Answer 5

the brain and the myocardium

Question 6

theories of aging

Answer 6

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

Question 7

what are free radicals?

Answer 7

reactive chemicals produced during cell metabolism such as peroxides; these can damage nucleic acids and cells

Question 8

telomeres

Answer 8

are the end of a DNA strand that protect our chromosomes

Question 9

changes in tissues due to aging

Answer 9

less regular arrangement of cells can be a due to a decrease in elasticity and collagen of tissues and decreased mitosis

Question 10

why does mitosis slow with aging?

Answer 10

due to a slower metabolic rate

Question 11

hormones and aging

Answer 11

hormone secretions remain stable but the number of tissue receptors may decrease, thus decreasing the body’s response to hormones

Question 12

why is type 2 diabetes common in older people?

Answer 12

because there are decreased tissue receptors for insulin

Question 13

what hormone structures remain stable during aging?

Answer 13

pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, and pancreas

Question 14

what is menopause?

Answer 14

when the ovaries cease to produce estrogen and progesterone, causing FSH and LH to ris

Question 15

what are changes associated with menopause?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

why are menopausal women at risk for recurrent vaginal infections?

Answer 16

because the pH of their vaginal secretions increases, thus microorganisms are likely to be here

Question 17

systemic signs of menopause

Answer 17

hot flashes, headaches, irritability, and insomnia

Question 18

aging males and testosterone

Answer 18

as testosterone levels decline, the testes decrease in size, sperm production is reduced, and the glandular secretions of the prostate decrease

Question 19

benign prostatic hypertrophy

Answer 19

is common in older males when the central part of the gland around the urethra hypertrophies, resulting in some obstruction

Question 20

changes in the skin during aging

Answer 20

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

Question 21

what causes wrinkly skin?

Answer 21

decrease in elastic fibres and collagen fibres become less flexible

Question 22

heart changes during aging

Answer 22

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

Question 23

why is impulse conduction of the heart impaired during aging?

Answer 23

due to the accumulation of fatty tissue and collagen fibres

Question 24

how to maintain heart health during aging?

Answer 24

adequate fluid intake and exercise

Question 25

what causes the atreial walls to thicken?

Answer 25

the accumulation of collagen and this may impair expansion of the large arteries and cause obstructions, leading to arteriosclerosis and elevated BP

Question 26

erosclerosis

Answer 26

is the accumulation of cholesterol and lipids in the walls of large arteries; this predisposes thrombus formation

Question 27

what is osteoporosis common in?

Answer 27

menopausal women

Question 28

where are fractures common in those with osteoporosis?

Answer 28

the spine, pelvis, and limbs

Question 29

factors leading to osteoporosis?

Answer 29

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

Question 30

what can cause decreased osteoblast activity?

Answer 30

increased glucocorticoid use

Question 31

recommendations to decrease risk and progression of osteoporosis?

Answer 31

increased calcium and vitamin D intake, walking and weight bearing exercises, PT, hormonal therapy (estrogen), and biphosphate drugs

Question 32

function of biphosphate drugs

Answer 32

inhibit bone resorption; ex. alendronate sodium

Question 33

osteoarthritis

Answer 33

occurs when the cartilage in joints become thin and erosions occur, impairing movements and causing pain

Question 34

herniated intervertebral disc

Answer 34

occurs when the fibrocartilage in the intervertebral discs degenerates, causing pressure on the spinal nerves and resulting in back pain

Question 35

musculoskeletal changes with aging

Answer 35

osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, herniated intervertebral disc, declining skeletal muscle mass (can cause ulcers), decreasing muscle contractions, decreased flexibility, slower movements, and decreasing balance

Question 36

reasons why ventilation may be impaired during aging?

Answer 36

decreased elasticity in the lungs, calcified costal cartilage, and weakened and atrophied skeletal muscle

Question 37

what is the result of impaired ventilation?

Answer 37

expiration is reduced and residual volume increases, coughing efficiency is reduced, secretions accumulate, and risk for pneumonia increases

Question 38

vascular degeneration in the lungs

Answer 38

decreases the efficiency of gas exchange, leading to increased CO2 levels and low O2 levels

Question 39

how can brain function be preserved?

Answer 39

exercise and stimulation of cognitive function

Question 40

how does the brain change with aging?

Answer 40

neurons decline, lipids accumulate in neurons, myelin sheath decreases, plaques form, abnormal neurofibrils develop, and there is a decreased response to neurotransmitters

Question 41

neurofibrils

Answer 41

masses of tiny, tangled fibres

Question 42

why do neurofibrils and plaques increase with aging?

Answer 42

due to organic brain syndrome (includes senile dementia and Alzheimer's)

Question 43

general changes in neurologic function older individuals

Answer 43

slower response time, decreased reflexes, and short-term memory lapses

Question 44

ANS degeneration

Answer 44

causes decreased tolerance to extreme hot or tol, poor blood circulation, decreased metabolism, and decreased activity levels

Question 45

how does the eye degenerate with aging?

Answer 45

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

Question 46

what does the lens appear as during aging?

Answer 46

larger, yellow, less elastic, and less transparent

Question 47

hearing loss for aging

Answer 47

occurs in inner ear in either the nerve receptor cells of the cochlea or the nerve fibres supplying the ears

Question 48

taste due to aging

Answer 48

taste is altered by reduced salivary secretions or decreased perception within the CNS

Question 49

smell and aging

Answer 49

the ability to discriminate among odors is reduced

Question 50

mouth changes and aging

Answer 50

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

Question 51

periodontal disease

Answer 51

inflammation and infection in the tissue surrounding the teeth

Question 52

xerostomia

Answer 52

aka dry mouth; is common in aging due to decreased saliva

Question 53

what may cause swallowing difficulties in older individuals?

Answer 53

neurological causes, scar tissue, or hiatal hernia

Question 54

obesity and aging

Answer 54

is common as the basal metabolic rate decreases; this can lead to increased cardiac workload, atherosclerosis, hypertension, gallstones, and diabetes

Question 55

what does nutrient absorption decline with aging?

Answer 55

because the mucosa and glands of the GI tract atrophy and are reduced; this can cause nutrient deficiency and peptic ulcers

Question 56

cancer and aging

Answer 56

is common in the reproductive organs due to decreased hormone secretion, as well in the stomach and colon due to constipation

Question 57

factors leading to constipation in the elderly

Answer 57

low fibre, low fluid intake, low activity, and excessive use of laxatives

Question 58

what can chronic constipation lead to?

Answer 58

hemorrhoids

Question 59

why does kidney function decrease with age?

Answer 59

due to loss of glomeruli and degeneration of the tubules and vessels

Question 60

what is the result of kidney impairment?

Answer 60

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

Question 61

what is the result of reduced bladder emptying?

Answer 61

frequency, nocturia, and infection

Question 62

nocturia

Answer 62

frequent urination during the night

Question 63

result of childbirth to pelvic floor

Answer 63

the muscles have been stretched and weakened, reducing the ability for the external sphincter to restrict urinary outflow

Question 64

why might urinary incontinence occur?

Answer 64

reduced sensory perception of a full bladder and a weakened urethra sphincter

Question 65

why are infections common in the elderly?

Answer 65

poor circulation impairs the normal defence mechanisms and tissue healing is delayed due to reduced mitosis

Question 66

how does the immune system age?

Answer 66

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

Question 67

multiple disorders and aging

Answer 67

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