Physiology of Aging

Question 1

What is Aging?

Answer 1

Gradual and spontaneous changes that occur in maturation from infant to adult
Create a normal physiological decline in middle and late adulthood measured by:
- chronological age (number of years lived)
- functional age (ability to contribute to society)
- physiological age (body function)

Question 2

What is Senescence?

Answer 2

Process by which a cell loses its ability to divide, grow, and function, ultimately ending in death
Degenerative process, no positive features

Senescence and aging are the same process, but senescence refers to the pathology of aging

Question 3

Normal Aging

Answer 3

Diseases and impairments of elderly
People age differently
Diabetes may be common disease of adulthood, but not experienced by all aging adults

Question 4

Healthy Aging

Answer 4

Minimize and preserve function
Influenced by lifestyle choices
One may have a healthy life until senescence makes life impossible

Question 5

Essential Concepts
(this is a lot of concepts, I don't think they're all essential)

Answer 5

Aging is not a disease
Geriatric conditions are chronic, multiple, multifactorial
Reversible conditions are underdiagnosed and undertreated
Function and quality of life are critical outcomes
Social support and patient preferences are critical aspects
Geriatrics is multidisciplinary
Cognitive and affective disorders prevalent and underdiagnosed at early stages
Latrogenic disease common and often preventable
Care is provided in multiple settings
Ethical and end of life issues guide practice

Question 6

Theories of Biological Aging

Answer 6

All aging begins with genetics
Aging changes the biochemical and physiological processes in the body
Cell and molecular biologist examine and propose theories to explain the aging process
- cause of aging?
- how to influence aging/prolong life?

Question 7

2 Main Aging Theories

Answer 7

1. Programmed Theories: Aging has a biological timetable
2. Error Theories: Aging is a result of internal or external assaults that damage cells or organs so they can no longer function properly

Question 8

Frail Elderly

Answer 8

Characteristics: 
Poor mental and physical health
Low socioeconomic status
Predominatly female
Possibly isolated living conditions
More and longer hospital stays
More money spend on health care and drugs

Question 9

Body Function Changes with Time

Answer 9

Pathogeric Process (diseased)
Eugeric Process (healthy)

Question 10

Cellular Aging

Answer 10

Cells have a broad and varied lifespan
Pattern of aging includes alteration of the membrane and a reduction in intracellular digestion
Programmed to grow, mature, retire, and die

Question 11

Tissue

Answer 11

Nutrients and activity needed to maintain health

These factors relate to the outward appearance of aging

Question 12

Bones

Answer 12

Maximum mass between 25-35 years old
With age bones shrink in size and density- become shorter, bones are more susceptible to fracture
Osteoporosis (decrease of mineral content of bones)
Osteoarthritis (degenerative form of arthritis)
Kyphosis (Dowager’s hump)

Question 13

Body Structure

Answer 13

Loss of height
Cohort Effect
Chest Diameter (broader and rounder)
Facial Changes

Question 14

Muscle

Answer 14

Muscles, tendons and joints generally lose flexibility and strength with age
By 30 there is progressive loss of muscle fibers and motor neurons
Strength may decline by 50% by the time a person is 80

Question 15

Musculoskeletal System

Answer 15

Fat increases with age and lean body mass decreases
Bone mineral content decreases
Decreased in height
Exaggerated curvature of spine
Increased arthritis

Question 16

Body Composition

Answer 16

Accumulation of fat, loss of water

Question 17

Weight

Answer 17

Maintaining a healthy weight of losing weight becomes difficult
Metabolism slows down, burn fewer calories
Calories stored as fat
Activity may decrease

Question 18

Cardiovascular System

Answer 18

Heart smaller and less elastic
By 70 cardiac output reduced 70%
Heart valves become less agile
Heart muscle more irritable
More arrhythmias
Arteries more rigid

Overall, less efficient overtime

Question 19

Respiratory System

Answer 19

Lungs become more rigid
Pulmonary function decreases
Number and size of alveoli decreases
Vital capacity declines
Reduction of respiratory fluid
Bony changes in Chest cavity

Overall, more effortful to breath

Question 20

Nervous System

Answer 20

Number of neurons in brain decreases with age
Brain increases in size until 20 years
Changes in neurotransmitters result in tremor and increased reaction time
Changes in posture and gait reflect loss of information
Nerve impulses are conducted at slower rates in older persons
Neurogenesis: generation of new neurons throughout the life span, rewire to compensate for losses, hemispheric lateralization can decrease, and improve specialized cognitive functioning

Question 21

Reproduction

Answer 21

Males: Decline in testosterone, loss of elasticity in blood vessels
Females: Ovaries, estrogen and progesterone, menopause

Question 22

Digestion

Answer 22

Slowed peristalsis
Secretions are diminished
Denervated teeth, dry mouth
Oral cavity sensation is diminished, control remains stable, speaking rate slows
Constipation more common due to slowed circulation, reduced sense of thirst, lessened activity level
Emotions play a role in appetite and digestion
Reduced gastrointestinal secretion and motility
Liver metabolizes less efficiently

Question 23

Swallow

Answer 23

Temporal changes occur with more variable oral and pharyngeal transit time
Delayed propulsive wave
Laxatives
Nutritional needs do not drastically change

Question 24

Kidneys

Answer 24

Less efficient in removing waste
Diabetes, high blood pressure, and some medications can impair kidneys
Slower elimination of water
30% experience some urinary incontinence
Voluntary dehydration
Smaller bladder and kidneys

Question 25

Sensory Development

Answer 25

Sensation of touch and pressure diminish with age
Taste perception and sense of smell change
Severe changes linked to onset of dementia
Medication changes sensation

Question 26

Vision

Answer 26

Presbyopia: developmental changes in vision
65-75: increased need for illumination for perception
Color vision may decline as a results of the yellowing of the lens of the eye
Depth perception declines in late adulthood

Question 27

Eyes

Answer 27

Less able to tear
Lens become thicker and less elastic - harder to focus
Cornea/covering becomes distorted
Iris/colored portion decreases in strength speed

Issues/Diseases:
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Macular Degeneration

Question 28

Hearing

Answer 28

Hearing Loss is one of the most common conditions affecting adults who are middle-aged and older
1/3 people older than 60 have significant loss
1/2 of all people older than 85 have significant hearing loss

Issues:
Presbycusis
Phonemic Regression

Hearing Handicap Inventory: ten item questionnaire that measured social and emotional problems related to hearing loss

Question 29

SUMMARY (ugh)

Answer 29

Aging is both visible (surface of the body) and invisible (internal organs to impair function)
Aging affects all systems in varying extent, if vital function involved, causes death
Gereontologist believe aging is the cumulative effect of many lifelong influences
Influenced by heredity, environment, culture, diet, exercise, past illnesses, etc.
Genetic factors chiefly determine variations in aging/lifespan-we exert no control
Bilogical and chronological ages are not the same
Most organs gradually lose some function; noticeable only during exertion/stress
We can control our environment/lifestyle insults to aging and health
Normal aging in the absence of disease is a benign process