Lecture 5- Biologics of Aging Flashcards
1
Q
Areas that have a decrease in function the MOST during normal aging?
A
Max breathing capacity, Brain neurons, Lower esophageal failure, GFR and glomeruli damage
2
Q
Cardiovascular changes
A
- Cardiac output reduced by 70% by age 70
- Left atrium dilates, left ventricle stiffens
- Ventricular myocytes hypertrophies- secondary to increased afterload
- LVEF is not changed in healthy older people
- Can have more arrhythmias
- Arteries become more rigid
- Veins dilate
- No change in resting heart rate- but decreased MAX heart rate
3
Q
Most common valvular lesion (Heart murmur) in the elderly is….
A
Aortic stenosis!
- mitral regurgitation the other big one
4
Q
Respiratory Changes
A
- Alveoli dilate due to loss of elastic tissue- decreased gas exchange
- Lungs become more rigid
- Age increases ventilation- perfusion mismatching
- Chest wall stiffens
- pulmonary function decreases
- Cough is less vigorous- and mucociliary clearance is slow and less effective
- TLC the same, RV and FRC both increase
5
Q
Gastrointestinal System Changes
A
- 50% decrease in saliva production from the parotid
- Esophagus- Hypertrophy of the skeletal muscle at the upper third, and decrease in myenteric ganglion cells that coordinate peristalsis
- Moderate villus atrophy and coarsening of the muscosae of the Small intestines (problems abosorbing nutrients)
- Cytochrome p450 decreases with age
6
Q
Renal/Urinary System Changes
A
- 50% decrease in glomeruli
- RBF is 40% lower
- GFR is 50% lower
- Decreased urine concentrating ability
- bladder- increased incidence of urinary incontinence after age 80
7
Q
Reproductive System Changes
A
Males
- Reduced T
- Testes atrophy and soften
- Decrease in sperm production
- Seminal fluid decreases and more viscous
- Erections take more time
Female
- Decreased Estrogen and progesterone
- Ovulation ceases
- Vagina atrophies, shorter, drier
- uterus shrinks
- Breast tissue loses elasticity
8
Q
Nervous System Changes
A
- Brain loses up to 10% of weight
- Cerebral blood flow decreases
- Neuronal loss is common
- Decrease in dopamine
- Acetylcholine decreases
- GABA- slowing of sensory info to the brain
Also- aging effects sensory-motor functions
- impaired balance- posture
- Slow, widened gait
- Jerky clumsy coordination
- Resting tremor (parkinsons)
9
Q
Cognitive Changes
A
- What parts are preserved!- Procedural, Primary, and semantic memory
- Executive function declines with age
- Episodic and working memory and executive function the parts of cognition most affected
10
Q
Eye Changes
A
- Periorbital Tissues Atrophy- eyelids become more relaxed
- Conjuctiva thinner and more yellow
- Lacrimal gland function and tear production decreases
- Changes in lens and iris lead to “presbyopia”
- Pupil becomes more rigid and lens more opaque
- Impaired color vision- decreased cone cells (macular degeneration)
11
Q
Ear Changes
A
- Irreversible sensorineural loss with age
- affects men more than women
12
Q
Taste and Smell Changes
A
- loss of taste in older patients is in large part due to decreased olfaction rather than taste itself
- Acuity of olfaction declines significantly with age
- decreased taste and smell sensation may result in decreased enjoyment of food.
13
Q
Muscle Changes
A
- Muscle mass decreases relative to body weight
- Muscle quality decreases
- Loss from legs is greater than from arms typically
14
Q
Bone Changes
A
- Progressive decline in osteoblast number and activity but osteoclasts remain unchanged
- Negative calcium balance and loss of bone mineral
15
Q
Height and Weight Changes
A
Height
- Lose 1-4 inches in height
- Flattening of arches of feet
- Increased spinal curvature
Weight
- Increased body fat %
- Decrease in size of arms and legs
- Increase in size of trunk
16
Q
Immune System Changes
A
- Overall decline in function
- More trouble differentiating self vs. non-self
- Decreased antibody response
- Extended duration of stress
-EXERCISE IMPROVES IMMUNE SYSTEM!!!
