System Changes Flashcards
Erythrocytes
Flexible disk shaped cells filled with hemoglobin
What do erythrocytes do
Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide through blood stream
Erythrocytes - life span
120 days
Produced at rate of 2 million per second
RBC changes
Dec cell size Inc cell density (dec lipid content) Dec enzymes Less reversible deforamation Loss of elasticity
RBC changes - concerns for geriatrics
Anemia - not a single disease - affects other systems - measured by hemoglobin and hematocrit Will fatigue easily and look a little pale
Most common forms of anemia
Hypoproliferative anemia
Ineffective erythropoiesis
Hypoproliferative anemia
Lower rate of RBC production in bone marrow and will impact the hematocrit
Common causes of hypoproliferative anemia
Low iron
Inflammation
Most common forms of anemia - Ineffective erythropoiesis
Damage to the RBC after it leaves the bone marrow
Vit B 12 deficiency
Net effect of changes in RBCs
Dec toelrance of exercise
Stress on tissue and organs
Dec cognition
To be immune from something is to be
protected from it
Development of immunity requires
one to be exposed, results in mild illness, recover and then when exposed again have immunological memory
Two processes to develop immunological memory
Humoral mediated
Cell mediated
Humoral mediated memory
Antibodies circulate through the blood (humor)
Bind foreign organism
Helper T lymphocyte cells activate B cells - produce memory for immunity
Diminishes with age
Cell mediated memory
Antigen bind to T cells
Cytotoxins are produced
Destroy antigens
Diminish with age
Age related decline in immune system
Infections
Cancer
Autoimmune diseases
Infectious disease ex
Influenza Pneumonia Tuberculosis Meningitis UTI
Infectious diseases
Deficiencies in both humoral and cell mediated responses
Decline in helper t cell function
Destruction of B cell clones
Net effect with infectious disease
Dec ability to generate antibody responses to certain infections
- Inc in
Leukemia
Cancer of lung, breast, prostate, stomach and pancreas
Due to dec in inmune system
Autoimmune diseases
Body loses the ability to distinguish self from nonself
Common autoimmune diseases
RA
Hashimotos thyroiditis
Lupus
Chronic Hepatitis
Autoimmune disease - due to
Degredation of the thymus gland and inability to destroy self harming t cells
Digestive system
Attached to dig system is exocrine glands, pancreas, liver - each secrete substances to aid with digestion
Aging by itself has minimal effect
Changes in the digestive system - changes in mouth
Dentation Osteoporotic changes in jaw Recession of gums Inc changes of dental caries Dysphagia Enamel wears down Dec salivary gladns
Changes in digestive system - esophagus
Dec rate of cell turnover (erosion)
Dec peristaltic movements
Dec motor control
Inc reflux
Net effect - esophagus
Delayed emptying (pain) Dilation
Stomach
Rate of gastric acis secretion dec
Inc in peptic ulcers and gastritis
Inc in pylori
Can result in Fe deficiency anemia
___ cancer is most common in elderly
Stomach
Of stomach cancer - it is most popular in the elderly
Small intestine
Cont digestion with help of secretions
Little effect from age
Liver
produces bile
detoxity foreign and dangerous chemicals
Break down medications - diminishes with age
Bile is stored in
Gall bladder
Bile is required to
breakdown fats in chyme
Large intestines
Diverticulosis Dec motility Fecal incontinence Peritonitis Colon cancer
Diverticulosis
Intestinal lining has herniated through intestinal wall
Diet low in fiber
Net effect of digestive system - motility
Dec # of ganglion cells In emptying time Inc freq non-peristatic contractions Dec amplitude of muscle contraction Impaired relaxation
Net effect of digestive system - absorption
Most substances, absorbed normally to 60-70yo and then changes
Changes due to dec SA (person getting smaller)
Genitourinary system - kidney func
Excrete waste from body
Maintain stability of fluid compartments of body - plasma and interstitial fluid
Renal system - anatomical changes
Dec kidney mass Dec # of glomeruli Inc # of abdnormal glomeruli Dec length and volume of proximal tubule Dec mitochrondria Loss of muscle from arteries
Renal system - number of glomeruli Age 25 and 85
25 = 1 miliion nephrons per kidney 85 = dec by 30-40%
Functional changes - renal system
Dec GFR 50% by age 75
De % CO to kidney (receives 20% of CO)
Dec concentrating/diluting urine and elimating waste in distal tube
Funct nephrons - altered threshold for glucose
Clinical relevance - renal system chagnes
Impaired maitenence of fluid status when stressed
Impaired elimination of drugs
Effects of drugs on kidneys - NSAIDs
Affect hormonal regulation of kidney
Block prostaglandins
Predisposes them to acute renal failure and chronic damage
Serum creatinine
Clinical measure of renal function
Needs to be measured and interpreted when giving drugs
Bladder function changes
Dec ability to store urine Inc frequency of voiding Inc residual volume Inc frequency of uninhibited contractions Delayed sensation of filling
Older urinary tract prone to
Inc bacterial infections
Inc kidney stones
Inc renal failure
Acute failure - bladder - due to
Dehydration
Low fluid intake
Post injury or Post surgery
Chronic failure - bladder -
Inc frequency of incontinence
Problems with urinary tract are often related to
Environmental factors
Life style
IT IS PREVENTABLE
Reversible causes of incontinence
DRIP D = delirium R = restricted mobility, rentention I = infection, inflammation, impactation P = polyuria, pharmaceuticals
Endocrine system
Collection of glands that secrete chemical messengers into blood stream
Endocrine system - hierarchical control
Starting with hypothalamus releasing hormones to pituitary gland - releasing hormones to thyroid, adrenal gland and gonads
Endocrine - aging creates
inadequate responses to the hormones
Cortisol
Stress hormone
Duty is to mobilize the bodys energy reserve
Prolonged elevation of cortisol can lead to
diabetes, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and immunosupression
Pancreas
Insulin and glucagon
Deficient insulin action (NIDDM)
27% over 65 have NIDDM
Some good attributes fro successful aging
Adaptible Coping ability Minimal stress Emotional gratification Pos life experiences Be active Vit D
Keys to successful aging
Low risk disease
High mental func
High physical func
Active engagement with life
