aging ch3

Why do we age?

● Technology available to evaluate aging is relatively new ● Important to remember aging is not a disease!

Three most common theories of aging

● Programmed theories ● Cellular theories ● Error theories

Caloric Restriction

● Not an aging theory per se, but it is getting a lot of attention ● Individuals who follow a CR diet aim to eat 25 to 30% fewer calories than recommended

Primary aging

gradual and inevitable process of bodily deterioration throughout life.

Secondary aging

the result of disease and lifestyle factors.

Intrinsic aging

● The gradual irreversible changes in structure and function of an organism that occur due to the passage of time

Extrinsic aging

● Changes due to external factors such as exercise, diet, exposure to sunlight, and smoking

Reversing the Signs of Aging

The baby-boomer cohort is the first generation with an expectation of leisure time, good health, and an increased desire for preservation of a youthful appearance ● In 2020, 2.3 million cosmetic surgeries performed in U.S. ● More plastic surgery has been done during the pandemic; recovery while working from home

Changes in Voice with Age

● Presbyphonia ● Age-related voice changes ● Due to changes in the larynx and vocal cords

Changes in Hair with Age

● Most obvious change is greying of the hair ● Hair can become thinner and hair loss can occur ● Male pattern baldness occurs in 30-50 percent of men by 50 ● No really effective treatments

Changes in Vision

• Age-related macular degeneration, • Cataracts, • Glaucoma, • Dark adaptation, and • Presbyopia

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) includes four types of changes

•Sensory, •Neural, •Metabolic, •Mechanical

Presbycusis

● most noticed at higher frequencies ● occurs gradually and most often occurs in both ears ● most common chronic conditions in older adults

Changes in Taste

○ The research on changes in taste perception with age is contradictory; some studies indicate no decline, and other studies indicate declines but not for all types of taste

Changes in Smell

○ declines with age (anosmia) ○ Age-related changes is associated with increased risk of developing dementia and in one study, a good predictor of death

Changes in Touch

○ Research that has been done indicates that tactile thresholds increase significantly with age, as do thresholds for pain and temperature

Death rates for both cardiovascular disease and stroke have declined by more than 75 percent which may be due to

○ improvements in diagnosis, treatments, and drug therapies ○ changes in lifestyle such as lower rates of smoking, increased physical activity, and increased consumption of fruit and vegetables.

The digestive tract has two important functions

the digestion and absorption of food. Other organs that are needed for digestion are the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. As with other bodily systems, changes in the digestive system do occur with age, Changes include a sluggish metabolism that can result in weight gain and constipation.

Digestion changes occurring with age include

○ Slowed metabolism ○ Increased risk of developing diverticulitis ○ Heartburn, indigestion and intestinal gas all more common with age

● Components of the immune system

○ Innate immune system ○ Adaptive immune system ● Both change with age

Many products claim to boost immunity, such as

aloe vera, echinacea, garlic, ginseng, and probiotics. The idea that we can boost our immune system is enticing but, to date, there are no scientifically proven direct links between lifestyle and improved immune function.

In general, adoption of a healthy lifestyle such as engaging in

○ Regular exercise ○ Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in saturated fat ○ Maintaining a healthy weight ○ Avoiding smoking, limiting the use of alcohol ○ Getting adequate sleep ○ Controlling your blood pressure ○ Engaging in regular medical screening for conditions in your age group and risk category

● Diabetes ○ Type 1

■ Usually more severe and characterized by the body’s impaired ability to make insulin

● Diabetes ○ Type 2

■ Usually less severe and characterized by the body’s impaired ability to recognize and utilize insulin ● Canadians were central to the discovery of treatment for Type 2 diabetes

Changes in the Musculoskeletal System ● Aging is associated with

○ Progressive declines in muscle mass ○ Declines in aerobic capacity ○ Loss in height ○ Weight loss

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are both

common age-related degenerative diseases in the musculoskeletal system that can affect physical activity as well as everyday functional capacity

Changes in the Nervous System with increasing age

● Reduction in the size of the brain and its weight ● Reduction in the number of neurons ● Reduction in the number of dendrite branches and interconnections ● Changes in synaptic organization ● A decline in the rate of neurotransmitter production

Changes in the Reproductive System for women

● Menopause occurs in the mid-to-late 40s, with a reduction in estrogen/progesterone and onset of infertility ● Treatments for menopause have evolved over time, and come with secondary risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease Changes in the Reproductive System for men ● Andropause in men is a much more gradual process, involving a reduction in sperm and testosterone

Genital Changes with Aging ● Women

experience drying, thinning, and decreased elasticity in the vagina, which can make sexual intercourse painful

Genital Changes with Aging

● Men experience enlarged prostate glands, as well as erectile dysfunction secondary to medical conditions common in aging

Changes in the Urinary System with increasing age

● Kidneys get smaller and blood flow to the kidneys decreases ● Kidneys lose the ability to balance the amount of salt and acid in the body ● Bladder tissue declines in capacity to hold urine ● Urinary frequency/urgency increases

Urinary Incontinence

● Stress urinary incontinence ● Urge incontinence ● Overflow incontinence ● Mixed urinary incontinence Urinary incontinence can affect quality of life, general health perception, physical and social function, mental health and vitality, and loneliness in older adults

Changes in Sleep

● Total sleep time decreases ● More time spent awake ● Less time in REM sleep

Insomnia

● Most common sleep disorder ● Thought to increase with age but findings are mixed

how to prevent insomnia

o Limit the intake of caffeine late in the day. o Avoid the intake of alcohol before bedtime. o Avoid big meals or spicy foods just before bedtime. o Minimize liquid intake before sleep. o Engage in regular exercise. o Ensure your bedroom is conducive to sleep. o Eliminate distractions. o Keep a regular bedtime routine. o Avoid or limit the use of sleeping pills.