Physiological Changes of Aging

Subject: Geriatric Nursing (Theory)

Overview

Number of changes are occurs as we grow older in our body system. Most of the normal changes have during aging have no any adverse impact on the normal functioning of body system. Changes that takes place in different systems during aging are : 1. Changes in integumentry system: The skin becomes thin,dry and wrinkles appear on the face, and neck. The skin can be easily injured and brushed. Subcutaneous fat layer is lost due to sagging of skin during aging.perspiration may decrease due to decreased in blood supply to the skin etc. 2.Changes in cardiovascular system: Heart rate becomes decrease and takes longer time for heart rate and blood pressure to return to the normal resting level after exertion. The valves between the each chamber of heart becomes thick and stiffer and as a result heart murmur sound is heard in an aging people. Also due to the thickness and stiffer of arota and arteries of the heart causes moderate increase in systolic blood pressure with aging anf leads to hypertension. 3. Changes in respiratory system: Total lungs capacity remains constant but vital capacity decrease and residual volume increases. Lungs become stiffer,muscle strength and endurance diminish, and chest wall becomes more rigid. There is an increase in mucus production and decrease in the activity and number of cilia. 4. Changes in Gastro-intestinal system Decrease in peristalsis movement which leads to the risk of constipation. Diverticula in colon cause pain. 5. Changes in Urinary system Decrease in bladder capacity and increase in residual urine and frequency which increases the chances of Urinary tract infections, urine incontinence. 6. Changes in Endocrine system Decrease in aldosterone and cortisol which effect on immune and cardiovascular functions. 7. Changes in Nervous system Sense of smell and taste decrease and decrease in appetite. Decrease in blood supply to brain and loss of cells causes memory loss. 8. Changes in Immune system As we grow older our bodies are less able to produce antibodies which are important to fight with infections. So they are at high risk for infections. 9. Changes in Musculoskeletal system Decrease in bone density. Skin becomes thinner and dry. 10. Changes in Reproductive system Mostly in men size of the testes decreases. Decrease in the level of sperm production and in women vaginal wall becomes thinner and lose elasticity. 11. Changes in Sensory system Affects on the vision with diminished vision, impaired in hearing with hearing loss and decrease, diminished in taste and smell.

Physiological Changes of Aging

A number of physiological changes occur as we grow older.

Changes in the integumentary system

  • On the face and neck, the skin becomes drier, thinner, and wrinkles start to show.
  • The skin is readily bruised or hurt.
  • Skin sags and cold intolerance decrease due to the loss of the subcutaneous layer of fat.
  • The skin may develop lesions or patches.
  • Due to the skin's reduced blood flow, perspiration may lessen.

Changes in the cardiovascular system:

The normal work capacity of the heart is not significantly limited in healthy individuals by the changes that are typically experienced in a cardiovascular system with aging. The majority of the modifications that result in clinically important decreases in cardiovascular function are brought on by a disease.

  • After exertion, the maximal heart rate drops and it takes longer for blood pressure and heart rate to restore to normal resting levels.
  • With age, the aorta and other arteries thicken and stiffen, which may cause a mild rise in systolic blood pressure. This might cause hypertension in some people.
  • The heart's valves between the chambers thicken and stiffen. Heart murmurs are therefore very typical in older persons.
  • The heart's pacemaker loses cells, forms fibrous tissue, and accumulates fat. A somewhat slower heart rate and possibly a heart block could result from these alterations. An increase in abnormal cardiac rhythms and additional heartbeats is observed.
  • Less sensitivity occurs in the baroreceptors used to measure blood pressure. Orthostatic hypotension may make you feel lightheaded if you change positions quickly. As a result, the client has vertigo when getting out of bed in the morning. As such, advise the client to shift positions more gradually by sitting down for a while before standing up.

Changes in respiratory system :

The cardiovascular, neurological, and musculoskeletal systems, among others, exhibit alterations that are reflected in the respiratory system. In healthy older persons, the majority of the typical aging-related alterations to the respiratory system have little functional importance. They do, however, lessen reserve capacity and make people more susceptible to respiratory illnesses.

  • The chest wall grows more rigid, the lungs become stiffer, and muscle power and stamina decline.
  • Although vital capacity decreases and residual volume rises, total lung capacity stays constant.
  • Up to 20% less alveolar surface area is lost. On expiration, alveoli frequently collapse sooner.
  • The amount of mucus produced rises as the number and activity of cilia decline.
  • The ability of the body to regulate and monitor breathing declines throughout time.

Changes in a gastrointestinal system:

The esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine or colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas make up the gastrointestinal system. The physiological changes that an aging digestive tract experiences are typically slight.

  • Atrophic gastritis and achlorhydria are more common.
  • The liver is less effective at metabolizing medications and replacing liver cells that have been destroyed.
  • Colon diverticula may be painful.
  • Constipation risk can rise in the presence of decreased colonic peristalsis.

Changes in urinary system :

The kidney, ureters, urethra, and bladder are all parts of the urinary system. As we age, it goes through significant functional changes. Urinary alterations are frequently linked to reproductive system changes in both men and women.

  • The number of glomeruli reduces by 30–40%, while the kidney mass declines by 25–30%. These modifications lessen the capacity to concentrate urine, filter it, and remove substances.
  • Age-related changes in hormone production (vasopressin) and salt retention can make people more susceptible to dehydration.
  • Both the frequency and amount of leftover urine increase as bladder capacity declines. Urinary tract infections, incontinence, and urinary blockage are more likely as a result of these alterations.

Changes in an Endocrine system :

A complex network of glandular tissues make up the endocrine system, which secretes hormones into the blood that are needed by "target" organs. Numerous crucial processes, including energy metabolism, reproduction, and stress response, are managed by the endocrine system.

  • It's possible that insulin resistance will hinder the efficient oxidation of carbohydrates into energy.
  • Immune and cardiovascular system performance may be impacted by a drop in aldosterone and cortisol.

Changes in nervous system:

  • The number of dendrites on older nerve cells may be reduced, and some may become demyelinated, which can delay the rate at which a message is transmitted. The majority of these adjustments don't seem to have an impact on daily operations.
  • Memory loss and confusion are brought on by decreased blood flow to the brain and cell death, which can change an older person's personality.
  • The sensory organ is no longer as active as it once was, for example. Both hearing and optical acuity gradually deteriorate.
  • As the senses of taste and smell deteriorate, appetite declines.
  • Sensation and perception are lost due to a decline in the capacity to respond to stimuli.
  • The speed at which humans digest information slows down as they age.

Changes in the immune system:

The immunological (lymphatic) system becomes more susceptible to infections, cancers, and immune disorders as we age. Hormonal changes, aging, nutrition, and psychological variables are all things that have an impact on how well the immune system works (stress).

  • Decreased production of thymic hormones.
  • Decreased levels of antibody response.
  • Response to antigens diminishes.

Changes in Musculoskeletal system:

  • Height decreases an average of 2 inches.
  • Weight increases until about 60 and then declines.
  • Body fat mass can double, lean muscle mass is lost.
  • Declines in bone density.
  • Skin becomes thinner and dryer.
  • Hair becomes gray.

Changes in reproductive system:

  • Female
    • Ovulation ceases and estrogen level drops by 95%.
    • Vaginal wall becomes thinner and loses elasticity.
    • Most of the women experience a decrease in the production of vaginal lubrication.
  • Male
    • In some men, the testosterone levels drop by up to 35%
    • The size of testes decreases.
    • There is a decline in the rate of sperm production although the extent
Things to remember
  • Various physiological changes takes place in different body system during aging.
  • Looses the skin elasticity and causes wrinkles and skin becomes easily bruised and injured.
  • Vales between each chambers of heart becomes thicken and stiffer and as a result heart murmur occurs.
  • Lungs becomes stiffer,muscle strength and endurance diminished.
  • Decrease in peristalsis movement.
  • Decrease in bladder capacity and increase in residual urine and frequency.
  • Decrease in aldosterone and cortisol which effect on immune system.
  • Decrease in the ability to respond to stimuli which leads to the loss of sensation.
  • Diminished to response to antigens
  • Decline in bone density
  • Decrease in the size of testes, and decrease in the production of sperm
  • Decrease in the production of vaginal lubrication, vaginal wall becomes thinner and lose elasticity
  • Diminished in the vision,taste,smell and hearing.
Questions and Answers

Numerous changes takes place during aging, they are:

Changes in the integumentary system

  1. The skin becomes thinner, dried and wrinkles appear on the face and neck.
  2. The skin can be easily injured or bruised.
  3. The subcutaneous layer of fat is lost causing sagging of the skin and less tolerance to cold.
  4. There may appear lesion or spots over the skin.
  5. Perspiration may decrease due to diminished blood supply to the skin.

Changes in the cardiovascular system: In healthy people the changes that normally occurs in a cardiovascular system with aging do not significant limit the normal work capacity of the heart . most of the changes that cause clinically significant declines in cardiovascular function are the result of a disease.

  1. The maximum heart rate decreases and it takes longer for heart rate and blood pressure to return to normal resting after exertion.
  2. The aorta and other arteries become thicker and stiffer which may bring a moderate increase in systolic blood pressure with aging. In some individuals, this may result in hypertension.
  3. The valves between the chambers of the heart thicken and become stiffer. As a result heart murmurs are fairly common among older adults.
  4. The pace maker of the heart losses cells and develops fibrous tissue and fat deposits. These changes may cause a slightly slower heart rate and even heart block. Abnormal heart rhythms and extra heart beat become more common.
  5. The baroreceptors which monitor blood pressure become less sensitive. Quick changes in position may cause dizziness from orthostatic hypotension. Therefore, the client gets dizzy in the morning when getting out of bed, tell the client to change the position more slowly-sit for few minutes before standing up.

Changes in respiratory system :The respiratory system reflects changes that occur in many other body system including the cardiovascular, nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Most of the normal respiratory changes with age are of little functional significance in healthy older adults. However, they do reduce reserve capacity and increase vulnerability to respiratory disease.

  1. The lungs become stiffer, muscle strength and endurance diminish, and the chest wall becomes more rigid.
  2. Total lung capacity remains constant but vital capacity decrease and residual volume increases.
  3. The alveolar surface area decreases by up to 20%. Alveoli tend to collapse sooner on expiration.
  4. There is an increase in mucus production and a decrease in the activity and number of cilia.
  5. The body becomes less efficient in monitoring and controlling breathing.

Changes in a gastrointestinal system: The gastrointestinal system consists of the esophagus, stomach, the small intestine, the large intestine or colon, the liver , gallbladder, and the pancreas .Generally, the physiological changes of an aging digestive system are minor.

  1. Increased prevalence of atrophic gastritis and achlorhydria.
  2. The liver is less efficient metabolizing drugs and repairing damaged liver cells.
  3. Diverticula in the colon may cause pain.
  4. Reduced peristalsis of the colon can increase a risk of constipation.

Changes in urinary system : The urinary system includes the kidney, ureters , urethra, and bladder. It undergoes substantial changes in function as we grow older. In both men and women, urinary changes are often associated with changes in a reproductive system.

  1. Kidney mass decreases by 25-30% and the number of glomeruli decrease by 30-40%. these changes reduce the ability to filter and concentrate urine and to clear drugs.
  2. With aging, there is a reduced hormonal response ( vasopressin) and an impaired ability to conserve salt which may increase the risk for dehydration.
  3. Bladder capacity decreases and there is an increase in residual urine and frequency. These changes increase the chances of urinary infection, incontinence, and urinary obstruction.

Changes in an Endocrine system : The endocrine system is a complex network of glandular tissues that secrete hormones directly into the blood which are used by "target" organs . The endocrine system controls a variety of important functions such as energy metabolism, reproduction, and stress response.

  1. Insulin resistance may prevent the efficient conversion of glucose into energy.
  2. A decrease in aldosterone and cortisol may affect immune and cardiovascular function.

Changes in nervous system:

  1. Older nerve cells may have fewer dendrites and some may become demyelinated which can slow the speed of massage transmission. Most of these changes do not appear to affect ordinary activities of living.
  2. Decreased blood supply to the brain and loss of cells cause memory loss and confusion which may alter the personality of an older.
  3. The sense organ is functioning less than younger e.g. Hearing slowly declines, visual acuity also declines.
  4. The sense of taste and smell diminishes resulting in decreased appetite.
  5. Ability to respond stimuli decreases which causes loss of sensation and perception.
  6. As people grow older, the rate at which they process information declines.

Changes in the immune system: Age-related changes in the immune( lymphatic) system increases vulnerability to infections, tumors, and immune diseases. Factors that affect immune system function include hormonal changes, age, nutrition and psychological factors( stress).

  1. Decreased production of thymic hormones.
  2. Decreased levels of antibody response.
  3. Response to antigens diminishes.

Changes in Musculoskeletal system:

  1. Height decreases an average of 2 inches.
  2. Weight increases until about 60 and then declines.
  3. Body fat mass can double, lean muscle mass is lost.
  4. Declines in bone density.
  5. Skin becomes thinner and dryer.
  6. Hair becomes gray.

Changes in reproductive system:

Female

  1. Ovulation ceases and estrogen level drops by 95%.
  2. Vaginal wall becomes thinner and loses elasticity.
  3. Most of the women experience a decrease in the production of vaginal lubrication.

male

  1. In some men, the testosterone levels drop by up to 35%
  2. The size of testes decreases.

There is a decline in the rate of sperm production although the extent

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