PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES WITH AGING

Senescence

…all postmaturational changes and the increasing vulnerability individuals face as a result of these changes.

The group of effects that lead to a decreasing expectation of life with increasing age

Sencescence, cont’d

Differs from other biological processes:– Its characteristics are universal

– Changes come from within the individual

– Associated processes occur gradually

– Changes have a deleterious effect on the invidual

Ultimately…You Die.U.S. Death Rates:

Leading cause among OA’s--heart disease

Higher for older men than for older women

Higher for African Americans than whites

Age-Related Physiological Changes

…all people age, but not at the same rate

At age 75, the average person, compared to age 30:

92% of brain weight 84% of basal metabolism 70% kidney filtration rate 43% of maximul breathing capacity

We are not the people we once were!

CHANGES IN THE SKIN

“To most people, the condition of the skin, hair, and connective tissue collectively represents the ultimate indicator of age”. (Kart & Kinney, p. 74)

SKIN: Wrinkling

Muscles of the face are capable of tremendous movement. “Smiles, laughter, frowns, disappointment, ager, rage, and surprise are all recorded. The hand of time captures these expressions and outlines them on the face….By the age of 40, most people bear the typical lines of their expressions.” (Kart & Kinney, p. 75)

SKIN--Wrinkling:

Loss of subcutaneous fat

– > vulnerability to pressure sores

– less insulation of body to cold (also affected by diminished blood flow to skin & extremities) & heat

SKIN & NAILS

Atrophic changes in sweat glands Thickened fingernails & toenails Generalized loss of body hair and head hair Decrease in # of functioning pigment-producing

cells-->graying– Some remaining pigment cells enlarge--> “age spots”– Skin changes increase. vulnerability to

infections/disorders

SKELETOMUSCULAR SYSTEM CHANGES

“Arthritis & allied bone and muscular conditions are among the most common of all disorders afffecting people 65 years of age and over.” (Kart & Kinney, p. 76)

Arthritis: A generic term that refers to an inflammation or degenerative change in a joint– Occurs world wide & is one of the oldest known

diseases

ARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis– Cause not known– Also referred to as degenerative joint disease– A gradual wearing away of joint cartilage that results

in the exposure of rough underlying bone ends– Can do damage to internal ligaments– Most commonly associated w/ weight bearing jnts

Rheumatoid Arthritis– A chronic, systemic, inflammatory disease of

connective tissue– 2-3 times more common among women than men– currently viewed as an autoimmune disease– may occur at any age -- most common onset

between 20 & 50

Musculoskeltal, cont’d:

Osteopenia --> Osteoporosis:– Gradual loss of bone that reduces skeltal mass

without disrupting the proportions of minerals & organic materials

– For many, it is asymptomatic– Bones most critically involved: vertebra, wrist, hip

Musculoskeletal, cont’d:

Sarcopenia:– Loss of muscle mass that occurs with aging

– Cause not completely understood

– Preventable/reversible with regular physical activity

GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM

Atophy of secretion mechanisms Decreasing motility of the gut Loss of strength/tone of muscular tissue &

supporting structures Changes in neurosensory feedback

– Enzyme & hormone release– Innervation of the tract– Diminished response to pain & internal sensations

The phenomenon of referral is common in the GI--I.e. signs & symptoms often associated with one part of the tract may actually be associated with another part of the tract. “Discomfort perceived as originating in the stomach may actually be coming from the lower GI tract.” (p. 79)

The GI symptoms often have their origins in psychosocial factors

CARDOPULMONARY SYSTEM

In the absence of disease, the heart tends to maintain its size

Heart valves tend to increase in thickness with age

BP tends to go up with age– Systolic stabilizes at about age 75– Diastolic stabilizes at about 65 then may gradually

decline

Atherosclerosis vs. Arteriosclerosis

Atherosclerosis– Developed by an overwhelming # of people in

industrialized nations– A narrowing of arterial passageways as a result of

the development of plaques on their interior walls– Reduces the size of the passageway--even to the pt

of closing it off. A cause of ischemic heart tissue (tissue deprived of adequate blood supply)

Arteriosclerosis:– A generic term referring to the loss of elasticity of

arterial walls– Often referred to as “hardening of the arteries”– Considered a general aging phenomenon

Respiratory Changes

Airways & tissues become less elastic & more rigid with age

Osteoporosis may alter the size/shape of the chest cavity

Power of respiratory & abdominal muscles becomes reduced--hinders diaphramatic movement

URINARY SYSTEM

“The bladder of an elderly person has a capacity of less than half (250ml) that of a young adult (600 ml) and often contains as much as 100 ml of residual urine”. (p. 81)

Micturation reflex is delayed-- usually activated when bladder is half full; in OAs, not until bladder is nearly at capacity

GENITAL SYSTEM CHANGES

“The genital system is characterized by a number of age-related changes in physiology and anatomy. On the whole, very few age-specific disorders are associated with this body system. With the exception of declining levels of testosterone, most of the problems of sexuality and aging are sociogenic or psychogenic”. (p. 83)

Female genital tract

External genitalia– Folds become less pronounced– Skin becomes thinner– Vasculariy & elasticity decrease– Becomes more susceptible to tissue trauma &

itching– # of glands decreas, as does level of secretion

Internatal reproductive organs– Uterus decreases in size & becomes more fibrous– Uterus has fewer endometrial glands– Cervix reduced in size– Uterine tubes become thinner– Ovaries take on an irreguar shape– Ovulation stops--menopause (50% between ages

45 and 50)

Male Genital System

Continues to produce germ cells (sperm) and sex hormones (testosterone) well into old age, declining with advancing age

Size & firmness of the testes decrease Reduced sperm production due to age-related

fibrosis which constricts the blood supply Fibrosis may also affect the penis since

erection is a purely vascular phenomenon

…AND ON THAT HAPPY NOTE, WE MOVE ON

… What are the various theoretical explanations for the CHANGES OF AGING?