Physcial Development In Physical Adulthood

Question 1

Shifting the definition of middle age

Answer 1

◦ Middle Ages
◦ Better health and nutrition
◦ Erikson: 40-60
◦ Newer studies: 45-65

Question 2

Overall health

Answer 2

◦ Still tends to be a time of good overall health (generally ages 45-65, but health problems are beginning)
◦ Tend to see more doctor visits
‣ Cardiovascular concerns can begin
• Part of this is genetics, may not just be from the individuals lifestyle
‣ Slower recovery from injuries and illnesses
‣ Individual variations are very real
◦ Smoking
‣ This includes vaping, it is still not a good idea
‣ Affects hair and skin in addition to lungs and respiratory system
‣ Because the lungs are working less, you are more likely to get sick, get lung or mouth cancer, or even struggle
◦ Drinking
‣ Is terrible for the body, especially if done a lot. People who tend to drink a lot past college will hav severe health issues
‣ Affects the skin, liver, kidneys, and brain
◦ Obesity
‣ Affects the overall health and mobility

Question 3

Decrease in athleticism

Answer 3

‣ Decreased muscle mass
• This is because the androgen levels start to decrease which causes the body to lose muscle mass
‣ Joint stiffness and effects of prior injuries
‣ Lack of practice and conditioning
• Especially for those used to team sports
◦ Some find it hard to adjust after graduation once you start working, and being able to find time to still do your sport

Question 4

Decrease in attractiveness

Answer 4

‣ Sagging or wrinkling of the skin
◦ Younger women still attracted to middle age men, but men sometimes more attracted to younger women.
• Loss of elasticity (collagen)
• Effects of gravity our body over time will tend to move with gravity. Most people’s noses will also continue to grow over the years.
‣ Thinning or graying of hair
• Lots of men will turn bald and thin out. Women will just gray out
‣ Weight gain
• Too much is bad
◦ Not only will the drop in hormones cause weight gain, but so will age in general, especially as physical activity decreases.
• Some padding can be protective

Question 5

Vision

Answer 5

‣ Presbyopia - (far-sightedness) is the big one
‣ Often hits people really hard at an older age; especially if they have always had really good eyesight or never had trouble with his.
• Need for bifocals
• Trouble reading menus
• Night vision
◦ Have more trouble seeing at night than younger individuals
• Decreased field of vision
◦ Peripheral vision starts to slowly go as you get older

Question 6

hearing

Answer 6

some loss at the higher pitches is normal
• Men more likely to lose this than women
◦ They are more likely to be working in areas with a lot of noise, (truck driver, farming, factory) or being susceptible to this. This is often why men lose their hearing to higher pitches before women.
• Workplaces noise
• Loud music
• Headphones

Question 7

Menopause

Answer 7

‣ Loss of one’s fertility
‣ Hormones - decrease in estrogen
• Hot flashes
• Mood changes
• Diet and exercise
• Body proportions
◦ Waist to hip ratio
◦ Shortening
‣ Health issues
• Cardiovascular health
• Osteoporosis
‣ Appearance
• Breast tissue becomes less full
• Sexist attitudes about aging

Question 8

Myths of menopause

Answer 8

‣ Menopause always begins at 50
‣ Surgical and natural menopause are the same
• You can have a hysterectomy and not have to worry about going through most of the things of menopause
‣ Weight gain is always a part of menopause
‣ The first sign of menopause is hot flashes
‣ Libido always decreases at the time of menopause
‣ Women don’t produce hormones after menopause
• Still produce estrogen just not as much
‣ Menopause has only physical symptoms
• eating things like sweet potatoes, and soy can help with increasing the hormones.
◦ The male climacteric
‣ Lowering of testosterone
• Decrease in sperm count
◦ Chance a child may be born with schizophrenia or ASD increases
• Loss of energy and stamina
• Erecitle dysfunction
• Loss of muscle mass
‣ Not as major or changing as in women

Question 9

Other physical issues

Answer 9

◦ Sex
◦ Sleep
‣ Night sweats
• Primarily affects women
‣ Sleep apnea
• Occurs when they stop breathing during the night, then often its almost as if they are being choked and startled back awake or alive. Is like the rage reflex we see in infants. They are more likely to have more problems during the day (like heart disease, heart failure, trouble thinking, being tired because of lack of sleep).
• Primarily affects men
‣ Obstructive sleep apnea
• During sleep, the gravity and muscle relaxation allows the tongue and surrounding soft tissues to fall back into the throat area obstructing air flow
‣ Stress keeps many awake
• Can affect everyone