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Generalizations according to the body
Geriatric Physiology systems
Introduction: SKIN:
The skin is our protection against the
Ageing begins at conception environment. Primary anatomic barrier
Factors: serving as protecting against harmful
1. Genetic-individual capacity for environmental factors
adaptation and repair 1. It is a BARRIER. It is responsible for
-there are certain factors in a temperature regulation
bloodline that makes a person age 2. It also functions for the
faster or slower than others RETENTION OF FLUID (Fluid and
2. Environment- the different electrolyte balance), ABSORPTION
aspects of the environment OF SHOCK & UV RADIATION
delivers a cumulative effect to
ageing; contributes to disease Ageing: Changes in skin
processes 1. Decreased thickness (dermis =
-increased aging in the presence of 20% reduction)
too much stress 2. Loss of vascularity, cellularity and
-development of concomitant sensitivity- compromised
diseases as we age; occurrence of protective function of the skin
common diseases, example is 3. Diminished ability for exchange
hypertension and retention of internal heat
Decrease in sensory neurons= 30% (10 Critical mass: how muscles decline as we age
years old to 90 years old) **blue: normal-density muscle
Alterations are present, such as **green: low-density muscle
** red-orange: fat
subcutaneous fat deposition Male: 42 years old
BMI= 22.7
2
LUNGS: Common metabolic disorders in the
Changes in the respiratory system: elderly:
Increased residual volume o Water and electrolytes
(increased air remaining in the o Carbohydrates, proteins and lipids
lungs after the most complete o Vitamins and mineral deficiencies
expiration possible) o Nutritional deficiencies: Anorexia-
Reduced vital capacity underlying mechanism is a lower
(decreased capacity to inhale, satiety threshold
hold and exhale breath)
High risk for respiratory
infection such as
pneumonia
In general, decreased lung capacity
3
NEUROSENSORY CHANGES: cardiovascular system, for example, include reduced
The brain and spinal cord experiences loss myocardial sensitivity to adrenergic agonists, which is why
maximal heart rate (HR) attained during exercise is
of neurons estimated from 220 minus age in years. Arteries stiffen with
Loss of dendrites will lead to decreased age due to elastin cross-link breakage, increased collagen
synaptic transmission. The dendrites are deposition, and calcification, causing a compensatory
primarily affected increase in arterial blood pressure. Similar changes occur
throughout the body’s various tissues. The deep wrinkles
There will be diminished senses over time that develop in Caucasian skin are the most obvious
(visual, hearing, smell, taste and touch) external indicator of aging, but wrinkles develop largely
Because of disruption of through Photoaging (tissue damage induced by ultraviolet
neurotransmission, neurotransmitters light), not by the intrinsic aging process.
important in maintaining normal mood
ADDITIONAL READING: a “nice to know” clipping from
and affect are affected (Norepinephrine, Principles of Anatomy and Physiology by Tortora
Serotonin and to a lesser extent,
Dopamine) Increase incidence of Aging is a normal process accompanied by a progressive
depression: alteration of the body’s homeostatic adaptive responses. It
o Due to impairment of synaptic produces observable changes in structure and function and
increases vulnerability to environmental stress and disease.
activity The specialized branch of medicine that deals with the
o 25% incidence in US nursing medical problems and care of elderly persons is geriatrics.
homes Gerontology is the scientific study of the process and
o Depression becomes a major cause problems associated with aging.
of reversible weight loss
Another aspect of aging involves telomeres, specific DNA
sequences found only at the tips of each chromosome.
SUMMARY These pieces of DNA protect the tips of chromosomes from
Disadvantages of elderly in generating metabolic erosion and from sticking to one another. However, in most
body heat normal body cells each cycle of cell division shortens the
telomeres. Eventually, after many cycles of cell division, the
Less muscle mass= less heat generating
telomeres can be completely gone and even some of the
apparatus functional chromosomal material may be lost. These
Less alveolar surface less oxidative observations suggest that erosion of DNA from the tips of
reserve our chromosomes contributes greatly to aging and death of
Impaired neurotransmission less cells. It has recently been learned that individuals who
experience high levels of stress have significantly shorter
ability or desire to initiate activity telomere length.
With all these risk factors, the patient becomes at Glucose, the most abundant sugar in the body, plays a role
risk of HYPOTHERMIA in the aging process. It is haphazardly added to proteins
inside and outside cells, forming irreversible cross-links
between adjacent protein molecules. With advancing age,
Environmental circumstances: more cross-links form, which contributes to the stiffening
Heat loss > Resting heat generating and loss of elasticity that occur in aging tissues.
capacity = Hypothermia
Free radicals produce oxidative damage in lipids, proteins,
ADDITIONAL READING: a “nice to know” clipping from or nucleic acids by “stealing” an electron to accompany their
Lippincott’s Review of Physiology unpaired electrons. Some effects are wrinkled skin, stiff
joints, and hardened arteries. Normal metabolism—for
Physiologic aging: example, aerobic cellular respiration in mitochondria—
Individual physiologic responses to aging vary produces some free radicals.
widely and can be significantly impacted by physical fitness
and underlying disease, but aging is generally accompanied
by progressive decreases in cell numbers and in the Note taker:
functionality and responsiveness of remaining cells in most
organs. Coinciding with these changes are overall decreases
Tolentino, Lethmar
in tissue compliance. The effects of aging on the