Human development (ch 5)- Aging Flashcards
Biological changes with aging (3)
- cellular changes (fragmentation of Golgi apparatus and mitochondria; decrease in cell capacity to divide and reproduce; arrest of cell division)
- tissue changes (accumulation of pigmented materials, lipofuscins, lipids and fats; decreased elasticity of connective tissue; presence of pseudoelastins).
- organ changes (decrease in functional capacity and homeostatic efficiency).
Premature aging syndromes are called….
progeria
Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome is…
progeria of childhood
Werner’s syndrome is…
progeria of young adults
atherosclerosis is…
buildup of WBC’s in arteries
Type I fibers vs Type II fibers (muscle)
Type I = slow twitch
Type II= fast twitch
Age-related changes in muscles
- loss of strength
- loss of power
- loss of skeletal muscle mass
- changes in muscle fiber composition (more slow fibers)
- muscles fatigue more rapidly (lower endurance)
clinical implications of changes in muscles
- movements become slower
- increased complains of fatigue
- connective tissue becomes denser and stiffer (risk of muscle sprains, strains, tendon tears; loss of ROM, increased tendency for fibrinous adhesions/contractures)
- decreased functional mobility, limitations to mvmt
- gait may be unsteady (changes in balance, strength)
- increased risk of falls
strategies to slow or reverse muscular aging changes
- improve health (correct medical problems that cause weakness like hyperthyroid, excess steroids, hyponatremia= low sodium; improve nutrition).
- increase physical activity
- provide strength training to increase/maintain muscle strength required for functional activity.
- provide flexibility and ROM exercises to increase ROM needed for functional activity.
Age-related changes in skeletal system
- cartilage changes (decreased water content, stiffer, fragments, and erodes)
- loss of bone bass and density
- intervertebral discs flatten, less resilient (loss of water and collagen)
- senile postural changes (forward head, kyphosis, flattening of lumbar spine, hip/knee flexion contractures with prolonged sitting)
clinical implications of skeletal changes with aging
maintenance of weight bearing is important for cartilaginous/joint health and mobility.
Increased fall/fracture risk
strategies to slow/reverse skeletal changes with aging
- postural exercises (stress components of good posture)
- weight bearing exercise can decrease bone loss in older adults
- nutritional, hormonal, and medical therapies
Age-related changes in neurological system
- atrophy of nerve cells in cerebral cortex
- changes in brain morphology (gyral atrophy, ventricular dilation, generalized cell loss in cerebral cortex esp frontal and temporal, lipofuscins, plaques and tangles, cell loss in basal ganglia cerebellum hippocampus locus coeruleus, NOT brain stem).
- decreased cerebral blood flow and energy metabolism
- changes in synaptic transmission (decreased synthesis and metabolism of neurotransmitters, slowing of many neural processes)
- changes in spinal cord/peripheral nerves (neuronal loss/atrophy, loss of motorneurons, slowed nerve conduction velocity, loss of sympathetic fibers).
- age-related tremors (usually essential tremor)
clinical implications of neurological aging changes
- effects on movement: overall speed/coordination decreased; difficulty w/ fine motor control; slowed recruitment of motorneurons so loss of strength; reduced reaction/movement time; errors in faster movements; more cautionary behaviors.
- general slowing of neural processing (learning and memory may be affected)
- problems in homeostatic regulation (heat, cold, exercise could cause harm)
strategies to slow/reverse neurological aging changes
- correct medical problems… improve cerebral blood flow
- improve health: diet, stop smoking
- increase levels of physical activity (may slow rate of neural decline and improve circulation)
- provide effective strategies to improve motor learning/control (allow increased reaction/mvmt time; allow limitation of memory; allow increased cautionary behaviors and give more time when teaching new mvmt skills; stress familiar well-learned skills
Age-related sensory system changes
- loss of function of sense…
- may lead to sensory deprivation, isolation, disorientation, confusion, appearance of senility and depression
- may strain social interactions
- may lead to decreased functional mobility and increased risk of injury
- alters quality of life
Vision changes with aging
- general decline in visual acuity (gradual to age 60, rapid b/w 60-90)
- presbyopia: visual loss characterized by inability to focus properly and blurred images
- decreased ability to adapt to dark/light
- increased sensitivity to light/glare
- loss of color discrimination (esp blue/green)
- decreased pupillary responses
- decreased sensitivity of corneal reflex
- diminished oculomotor responses
Cataracts
opacity, clouding of lens due to changes in lens proteins; results in gradual loss of vision (central first, then peripheral), problems with glare; general darkening of vision; loss of acuity. Surgery!!
Glaucoma
increased intraocular pressure, with degeneration of optic disc, atrophy of optic nerve; results in loss of peripheral vision. If untreated, can progress to blindness. Surgery and medication can be effective if tx early.
Macular degeneration
loss of central vision associated with age-related degeneration of the macula compromised by decreased blood supply or abnormal growth of blood vessels under retina; typically retain some peripheral vision; increased sensitivity to glare, and difficulty adjusting to light change; may progress to blindness.