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