Mod 12 Consequences of Aging in each Body System

Question 1

1. Cardiovascular

Answer 1

• ATHEROSCLEROSIS: Buildup of plaque within endothelial lining of artieres
• Elastic blood vessels become stiffer with age
  - Free radical damage of cell
  membrane causes protein linking
  that diminishes elasticity and
  decreases vasodilation
• Heart
  - Systolic BP increases with age
  - Conductive tissue change =
  increase risk of arrhythmias
  - Max HR decreases
  - Baroreceptors in atrial walls (sense changes in BP) are slower to respond= less ability to raise BP with position changes –> increased susceptibility to ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION!

Question 2

2. Respiratory

Answer 2

• Older adults with pneumonia may not exhibit early warning signs of tachypnea and dyspnea = delaying diagnosis
• Decrease respiratory with exercise
• Elasticity of thoracic rib cage & lung tissue decrease with age
  - Resistance to expansion
  increases
• Stiffness of chest wall, increase effort in inspiration and expiration, and barrel chest

Question 3

3. Renal

Answer 3

• Loss of nephrons and decrease activity of nephron tubules
• Blood flow to kidney decrease bc atrophy of blood vessels
• Lower creatinine clearance bc less filtration of kidney
• Lower blood glucose, acid, potassium, specific gravity of urine
• Healthy older adults = serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen increase
• Kidney excrete more fluid and e- at night
  -Kidney filtration decreases so drugs can accumulate in bloodstream = extreme susceptibility to DRUG TOXICITY and adverse med effects AND POLYPHARMACY: old people on 5 or more meds = drug-drug interactions often affect older adults
• Hyperkalemia = cardiac dysrhythmias and cardiac arrest
• Dehydration = won’t feel thirsty

Question 4

4. Genitourinary

Answer 4

Women - Menopause
- Vulvovaginal atrophy = vag tissue is thinner and vag muscle is weak
- Vulvovaginal dryness, itchy, sore, dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
- Decrease in estrogen levels weakens bladder adn urethra
- Weak bladder = stress incontinence = urine leakage when coughing or laughing
- Changes in vaginal flora

Men - BPH: enlargement of the prostate gland
- Urinary symptoms = weak urine stream, frequency of urination, incomplete emptying of bladder, hesitancy (noncontinuous urine flow)
- Testicular changes = serum testosterone levels decrease, abnormal sperm

Question 5

5. GI

Answer 5

• Motility slows and less coordinated
• Autonomic nerves decline
• Decrease in peristalsis and constipation
• Diminished taste
• Loose teeth
• Increase susceptibility to dysphagia
• Change in flora = C. Diff
• PREBYESOPHAGUS: age related change in esophagus = loss of strength in LES = acid reflex builds up from stomach into esophagus = esophagitis

-PERNICUOUS ANEMIA: Lack of IF –> low absorption of vitamin B12 –> decrease RBC production in blood marrow = gait disturbance and paresthesia in lower extremities

-GASTRIC ATROPHY: produce less HCI bc gastric mucosa degenerates –> lack of ca and iron –> bone breakdown and reduced hemoglobin synthesis –> decrease RBC production aka IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

• LACTOSE INTOLERANCE: low lactase = can’t break down lactose = constipation
• DIVERTICULOSIS: tiny sacks on intestinal wall gets inflamed = pain in Left Lower quadrant of abdomen
• INSULIN RESISTANCE: less insulin is secreted + increase body fat + increase blood glucose = susceptible to diabetes
• Susceptible to hypothyroidism bc low metabolism & fewer calories needed

Question 6

6. Integumentary

Answer 6

• Environmental Free Radicals & sun exposure
• Decrease elasticity
• Epidermal cells slow
• Discoloration
• Dryness
• Inability to conserve heat bc decrease subdermal fat

Question 7

7. Musculoskeletal

Answer 7

• Once muscle mass is lost it can’t be regenerated even with exercise but can increase strength
• Osteoblasts = cells that build up bone
• Osteoclasts = cells that deteriorate bone
• Women more suscpetible
  - OSTEOPENIA: decrease in bone mineral density = precursor to osteoporosis
  - OSTEOPOROSIS

Question 8

8. Nervous

Answer 8

• Neurotransmitters decrease in fx
• Pernicious anemia
• Low B12 = gait instability & paresthesia in lower extremities
• Higher PAIN thresholds than in younger adults
  
  • Length of stimulus is important variable
  • May not be aware of injury bc of pain threshold
• EYEs get opaque & stiff = blurred vision
  - PRESBYOPIA: old vision
  - CATARACTS: thickened eye layer (opacity over pupil)
  -HEARING can’t detect high or low frequency sounds
  - PRESBYCUSIS: age related hearing loss

Question 9

9. Thermoregulation

Answer 9

• Do not produce fever bc usually have lower temps
• Less subcutaneous fat & decrease vasodilation = body able to produce less body heat
• Increase likelihood of hypothermia and hyperthermia