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Geriatrics > Physiology of Aging > Flashcards

Physiology of Aging Flashcards

1
Q

Define Aging

A

Gradual loss in reserve capacity of organs and organ systems leading to functional impairment & ultimately to death

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2
Q

Define Homeostasis

A

Maintaining of the stability of the internal environment

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3
Q

Common Reduced Homeostatic Responses in the Elderly

A 
Baroreceptor responsiveness
Thermoregulatory responses
Cardiac reserve
Thirst
Dark adaptation
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4
Q

What does a reduced baroreceptor responsiveness lead to?

A

Increased postural hypotension

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5
Q

What does a reduced thermoregulatory response lead to?

A

Higher hypothermia, hyperthermia

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6
Q

What does a reduced cardiac reserve lead to?

A

Fluid overload

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7
Q

What does reduced thirst lead to?

A

Dehydration

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8
Q

What does a reduced dark adaptation lead to?

A

Night driving hazards

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9
Q

Host Defense Against Infection

A 
Skin, mucous membranes
Mucociliary defenses
Gastric
BPH
Absence of fever
PMN's altered, t-cells altered
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10
Q

Most Common Early Sign of Aging

A

Difficulty staying up all night & working the next day

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11
Q

Early Signs of Aging in the 30’s

A 
Easier weight gain
Graying hair, thinning hair
Wrinkling forehead & eyes
Concern about biologic clock, financial security, family obligations
Injuries "weekend warrior"
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12
Q

Signs of Aging in the 40s

A

Reflection on mortality, life’s limitations, unreached dreams & goals
Skin changes
Vision Changes
Osteoarthritis

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13
Q

Skin Changes in the 40’s

A 
Sagging
Wrinkling
Thinning
Benign & malignant issues
Sweat glands
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14
Q

Vision Changes in the 40’s

A

Presbyopia

Require reading glasses

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15
Q

Signs of Aging in the 50’s & Early 60’s

A 
Sense of aging
Menopause
Becoming a grandparent
Death of parents, friends
Oldest at work
Physical limitations, medical problems
Senior citizen discounts
AARP membership
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16
Q

Signs of Aging in the 70’s & 80’s

A

1+ chronic disabling condition
Arthritis, HTN, hearing loss, heart conditions, visual problems, bone problems
Psychologic & social losses

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17
Q

Psychologic & Social Losses in the 70’s & 80’s

A

Retirement
Death of spouse or close family member
Children moving away
Friends dying or moving
Moving into apartment or retirement living
Inability to socialize from sensory or physical impairments

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18
Q

Aging & the Rule of Thirds

A

1/3 disease
1/3 inactivity
1/3 aging itself

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19
Q

Theories of Aging

A 
Programmed phenomena
Error theory
Repair theory
Redundancy failure
Killer hormone theory
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20
Q

Describe the Programmed Phenomena

A

All cells bear specific “death” genes

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21
Q

Describe the Error Theory

A

Cellular DNA & RNA error
Accumulation of inappropriate proteins & enzymes
Unable to support cellular metabolism

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22
Q

Describe Repair Failure Theory

A

Failure of DNA repair

23
Q

Describe Redundancy Failure

A

As cell ages, supply of redundant genes exhausted

24
Q

Describe Killer Hormone Theory

A

Pituitary produces “killer” hormone destroying cell function

25
Q

Advantages of Adaptation to Disability & to Role Losses

A

Greater independence
Fewer responsibilities
Reduces concern about day to day inconveniences
Financial security: SS, retirement programs

26
Q

Hematologic Aging Changes

A 
Slight decrease in RBC, Hgb, Hct
WBCs increase in lobulation & decrease in granulation
Changes in subsets of lymphocytes
ESR increases slightly
Physiologic anemia of aging
Decreased reserve of RBCs
27
Q

Musculoskeletal Changes in Aging

A

Height: lose 2-4”
Weight: men peaks in 50s & women in 60s
Increase in density, decrease in the water content of connective tissues
Calcification of connective tissue
Decreased bone mineral content
Decrease in muscle mass

28
Q

Results of a Decrease in the Water Content of Connective Tissues

A

Loss of skin elasticity

Joint stiffness

29
Q

Result of Calcification of Connective Tissue

A

Atherosclerotic changes

DJD

30
Q

Bone Loss in Women Due to

A

Decreased estrogen production

Vitamin D absorption declines

31
Q

Skin Changes with Aging

A 
Decreased tone & elasticity
Decline in subQ adipose tissue
Yellowing of nails, rigid nails
Hair loss after 30 in men
Decrease in pigment
32
Q

Respiratory Changes with Aging

A

Decrease in alveolar size
Vital capacity decreases progressively
Elastic recoil decreases due to changes in collagen
Forced residual capacity increases
Reduce expiratory flow velocities
All timed pulmonary functions decrease with age

33
Q

CV Changes with Aging

A 
Increased collagen in vascular smooth muscle
Decreased elastic tissue
Cardiac output decreases
Slight reduction in resting heart rate
Decreased organ perfusion
Increased peripheral resistance
Decreased vascular compliance
Increased systolic BP
34
Q

Renal Changes with Aging

A 
Decrease in nephron units
GFR & CrCl decline
Peak bladder capacity reduced
Residual urine increases
Blood flow best at night
Prostate gland doubles in size
35
Q

Why the decrease in nephron units?

A

Kidney loses mass
Renal blood vessels thicken, lose elasticity
Medullary connective tissue increases, replaces interstitial cells
Loss of juxtamedullary glomeruli

36
Q

Alimentary Canal Changes with Aging

A

Loss of teeth occurs secondary to bone & connective tissue changes
Periodontal disease
Poor nutritional status
Lack of dental care & poor hygiene contributes
LES fails to relax with peristaltic waves
Atrophic gastritis & pernicious anemia
Gastric secretions reduced (Achlorhydria)

37
Q

Colon Changes with Aging

A

Decreased motor function
Depression of defecation reflex
Decreased colonic muscle tone
Decreased perfusion of GI tract secondary to vascular changes

38
Q

Pancreatic Changes with Aging

A

Decrease in pancreatic lipase activity

Increased incidence of cholelithiasis

39
Q

Aging Changes in Men

A

Increase fibrous tissue of interlobular spaces of testes
Thickening of the basement membrane around the seminiferous tubules
Sperm production decreases

40
Q

Parathyroid Hormones & Changes in Aging

A

Levels decrease in women at 40 and men at 60

41
Q

Changes in Miscellaneous Organ Systems with Aging

A

Decreased cerebral blood flow
Decreased vibratory sensation
Decreased hand grip, strength, coordination, writing

42
Q

Changes within the Brain with Aging

A

Reduction in cerebral hemisphere mass
Decreased neurotransmitters
Delay in monosynaptic reflex arc
Motor time increases with aging

43
Q

Sleep Complaints in the Elderly

A

Altered sleep patterns
More time in bed, less time sleeping
Frequent night time urination
Arthritic pain

44
Q

Difference Between Memory Loss & Alzheimer’s Disease

A

Memory: worry about memory loss

Alzheimer’s: unaware of any mental impairment

45
Q

Special Senses Changes with Aging

A

Cataracts
Macular degeneration
Decrease in visual receptors
Presbyopia
Decreased number of retinal rods, dark vision
Decreased hearing
Decreased vestibular function
Decreased number of tongue papillae & taste buds
Olfaction declines leading to poor nutrition
Weight loss

46
Q

Psychological Aspects of Aging

A 
Role changes: retirement
Coping with medical illness
Loss of spouse
Friends dying
Children are adults & far away or occupied with their own families
47
Q

Laboratory Value Changes

A 
ESR increases
CrCl decreases
Blood glucose rises
Cholesterol risses
Albumin falls
T3 falls
48
Q

Define Healthy Aging

A

Adaptation to the changes associated with the aging process that is acceptable to the individuals

49
Q

3 Factors with Healthy Aging

A

Low probability of disease & disability
Higher cognitive & physical functioning
Active engagement in life

50
Q

Define Disengagement Theory

A

Voluntary cutting back on work, social, & family ties
More satisfied with vicarious activities & reminiscing
Comes to terms with & accepts past failures

51
Q

Describe the Prototypical Disengaged Person

A

Well known
Loved by neighbors
Happily spends all day rocking on the front porch

52
Q

Define Activity Theory

A

Staying as active as possible
Continued professional or volunteer work
Social activities, family, hobbies

53
Q

Define Continuity Theory

A

Allowing personal preferences from earlier years to manifest themselves as the individuals responds to the stress & challenges of older age

Geriatrics (15 decks)

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