Injuries and aging

Number one cause of injury death for all ages

unintentional poisoning

overdose deaths

major contributor to unintentional poisoning death

Carbon monoxide (esp in ppl > 65 and males )

fuel burning products in a poorly ventilated area (generators, heating systems, charcoal grills)

pesticide (occurs esp in children < 6 and adults > 20 )

usually unintentional exposure- esp rat poisons

adult causes of poisoning death

legal drugs taken in error or at the wrong dose
- ex: acetaminophen

Children accidental overdose

• ex: iron containing vitamins

unintentional falls dominate as overall cause of

nonfatal emergency department visits

Traumatic brain injuries affect how the brain works, can be caused by

• bump or blow to the head

• penetrating injury

Common causes of TBIs

• falls

• fire arm related injuries

• motor vechile crashes

• assaults including domestic violence

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy

form of dementia caused by repeated head trauma such as concussions

• common in football

osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by

• decreases in bone mass

• decreases in bone density

• enlarged spaced within bone that produce fragility

Remodeling

bone removal and replacement

resorption

removing bone that is damaged or needed for minerals

minerals esp calcium are essential to

cell function and are taken from bone as needed

increased risk of fracture from osteoporosis in which bones?

• wrist

• spine

• hip

osteoporosis risk factors

• physical inactivity

• excess alcohol consumption

• tobacco use

• gender (women are more vulnerable)

• age

• race

• family history

• small body frame size

• sex hormones ( drop of estrogen in menopause)

• low calcium intake

• eating disorders

• GI surgery for weight loss (limits surface are for nutrient absorption)

• Certain medication

Sarcopenia

reduction in skeletal muscle mass as people age

Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis

• healthy balanced diet including vitamin D and calcium

• exercise (weight bearing and resistance training)

• no smoking

• low alcohol intake

• check medication side effects

• limit caffeine to <2 cups/day

Arthritis

• major cause of disability and chronic pain

• typically involves pain and stiffness around joints

Arthritis is more common _____ than _____

women; me

osteoarthritis

• also called degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis

• degeneration or cartilage

• leads to bone degeneration

• gradual

symptoms of osteoarthritis

pain, inflammation, stiffening, decreased range of motion, swelling

osteoarthritis risk factors

• age (>40)

• gender (women)

• obesity

• joint trauma: joint injury/ overuse, infection, poor alignment, occupation and repetitive motions

• genetics

Joint friendly activities

• walking

• biking

• swimming

• water aerobics

• muscle strengthening with resistance bands

rheumatoid arthritis

• autoimmune disease

• mainly attacks joints, usually many joints at once

• causes inflammation of the synovial membrane

• can affect other organs ex lungs, heart, eyes

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms

pain, inflammation, redness, fatigue, stiffness, same symptoms on both sides of the body, weight loss

Risk factors of rheumatoid arthritis

• likelihood increases with age

• women

• smoking

• obesity

• genetic

gout

• common type of inflammatory arthritis

• usually affects one joint at a time

• deposition of uric acid crystals in tissues and fluids

gout flares

• bouts of flares and remission

• recurring acute flares can lead to gouty arthritis

symptoms of acute gout flare

• red, hot, swollen joints

• extreme pain

gout risk factors

• male

• obesity

• medications including diuretics

• alcohol

• hypertension, diabetes, poor kidney function, insulin resistance

• diet high in fructose and purines

kidney disease → high uric acid →

gout

high uric acid →

kidney stones

gout →

kidney disease

Get checked by a provider for gout if you have these symptoms:

• joints that are swollen, tender, warm, or red

• usually in big toe but can occur in feet, ankles, knees, wrists, and hands

• uric acid levels may be normal even if you have gout

severe joint pain among adults with arthritis

• higher in women

• highest among blacks, then hispanics and native Americans /Alaska natives, and whites

• more common in adults with arthritis who also have other chronic conditions

Severe joint pain

when an individual rates their pain 7 or higher out of 10

persistent pain

when an individual reports having pain on most or all days in the past 3 months

Fibromyalgia

• condition causing pain all over body, sleep problems, fatigue

• symmetrical tender points

Symptoms of fibromyalgia

• pain, stiffness

• fatigue

• depression, anxiety

• sleep problems

• difficulty with thinking, memory, and concentration

• headache

• digestive problems

• tingling or numbness in hands and feet

Fibromyalgia risk factors

• age

• preexisting lupus or rheumatoid arthritis