What Is Necessary To Understand The Physiologic Changes That Occur With Aging?
Physiologic changes occur with aging.
That is why it is vital to approach the aging process holistically, rather than focus on just one body part, such as the skin, for instance.
Well, the skin being simply a thin film is very vulnerable to stress and other factors, and in fact, it is here where the first signs of aging can be noticed.
The skin is the first to visibly react to the aging process.
But without your realizing it, plenty of other things are also happening within your system at roughly the same time skin aging signs start to appear.
So here are some of the most common physiologic changes the body undergoes as it progresses in years.
1.
Cardiovascular changes.
Specifically, the wall of the heart thickens, the heart size increases, while heart rate decreases.
The blood vessels may harden, and systolic blood pressure may also increase as a result of that.
For these reasons, there is a higher incidence of strokes and heart problems among older people.
2.
Respiratory changes.
The respiratory system normally goes through the aging process, too.
When you get older, the lung muscles as well as the other muscles involved in respiration weaken.
This is why older people cannot anymore tolerate strenuous exercises.
They hyperventilate and easily lose their breath.
Another development that occurs in the respiratory system as one ages is the diminishing cilia, which as you must know are responsible in clearing the airways of obstruction.
With the diminishing cilia, risks for clogged airways and infections become higher.
3.
Gastrointestinal changes.
There are many changes that occur in the gastrointestinal system (the largest system in the body) with age, such as: a.
Inability to secrete enough stomach acid to produce digestive enzymes.
Digestive enzymes are necessary in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
Without sufficient digestive enzymes, indigestion problems occur.
Bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, and lactose intolerance are just some of the most common complaints of the aging population.
b.
Thinning or weakening of the stomach lining resulting to ulcer.
With aging also comes the thinning or weakening of the stomach lining that protects the stomach from the acids and digestive juices.
With little or no protection at all, the stomach gets eroded, causing the burning sensation on the abdomen typically known as ulcer.
c.
Reduced blood flow to the liver, decreasing its capability of processing waste products and absorbing medications.
d.
Decreased metabolism.
Body metabolism decreases with age, resulting to weight problems, constipation, and other digestive problems.
e.
Decreased absorption of calcium and iron.
With the body's reduced ability to absorb calcium and iron, bone problems and anemia may occur.
4.
Urinary changes.
Aging affects the kidneys, ureters and bladder.
With aging, kidney function declines, about a third of its mass decreases, and the number and size of the filtering units called nephrons also decrease.
Concentrating urine becomes an issue as one gets on in years.
Urinary flow decreases as well, while incidence of urine retention increases.
These urinary changes make one more prone to developing infection and stones.
5.
Endocrine changes.
Resistance to insulin may occur when the muscle cells become less sensitive, and so older people tend to have higher than normal blood glucose levels.
Some develop adult-onset diabetes, which may not necessarily require insulin injections but has to be managed nonetheless with diet, exercise, and medications.
6.
Changes in the nervous system.
Normally, changes in the nervous system are not apparent till age 60 and beyond.
Attention span is diminished in older people, and there is some degree of memory loss, too.
Visual-spatial ability and conceptualization may be affected, and the response time to process information may be slower.
7.
Changes in the immune system.
Decreased ability to produce antibodies normally comes with age, and when this happens, the ability to fight infections becomes compromised.
Older people tend to acquire infections easily.
8.
Musculoskeletal changes.
Some of the prominent changes involving the musculoskeletal system include loss of about 2 inches of height, weight loss, bone loss, and muscle loss.
Then of course, there are also the notable thinning of the skin, a decrease in elastin and collagen, and the inability to retain moisture.
The hair also goes through some changes.
Thinning of the hair, graying of the hair, and hair loss are commonly encountered from age 50 onwards.
9.
Reproductive changes.
In women, production of estrogen decreases significantly, eliminating the ability to conceive.
In men, testosterone levels decrease, and with this comes a decrease in the urge to have sex.
10.
Sensory changes.
The ability of the various sense organs to function declines with age.
Visual acuity decreases, hearing and smelling are impaired, and taste is also diminished.
A major thing to understand is that while these changes normally occur with aging, they can happen at any time in one's life due to some triggering factors.
So when you happen to experience any of these things, it will be wise to consult a specialist in order to be treated properly.
That is why it is vital to approach the aging process holistically, rather than focus on just one body part, such as the skin, for instance.
Well, the skin being simply a thin film is very vulnerable to stress and other factors, and in fact, it is here where the first signs of aging can be noticed.
The skin is the first to visibly react to the aging process.
But without your realizing it, plenty of other things are also happening within your system at roughly the same time skin aging signs start to appear.
So here are some of the most common physiologic changes the body undergoes as it progresses in years.
1.
Cardiovascular changes.
Specifically, the wall of the heart thickens, the heart size increases, while heart rate decreases.
The blood vessels may harden, and systolic blood pressure may also increase as a result of that.
For these reasons, there is a higher incidence of strokes and heart problems among older people.
2.
Respiratory changes.
The respiratory system normally goes through the aging process, too.
When you get older, the lung muscles as well as the other muscles involved in respiration weaken.
This is why older people cannot anymore tolerate strenuous exercises.
They hyperventilate and easily lose their breath.
Another development that occurs in the respiratory system as one ages is the diminishing cilia, which as you must know are responsible in clearing the airways of obstruction.
With the diminishing cilia, risks for clogged airways and infections become higher.
3.
Gastrointestinal changes.
There are many changes that occur in the gastrointestinal system (the largest system in the body) with age, such as: a.
Inability to secrete enough stomach acid to produce digestive enzymes.
Digestive enzymes are necessary in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
Without sufficient digestive enzymes, indigestion problems occur.
Bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, and lactose intolerance are just some of the most common complaints of the aging population.
b.
Thinning or weakening of the stomach lining resulting to ulcer.
With aging also comes the thinning or weakening of the stomach lining that protects the stomach from the acids and digestive juices.
With little or no protection at all, the stomach gets eroded, causing the burning sensation on the abdomen typically known as ulcer.
c.
Reduced blood flow to the liver, decreasing its capability of processing waste products and absorbing medications.
d.
Decreased metabolism.
Body metabolism decreases with age, resulting to weight problems, constipation, and other digestive problems.
e.
Decreased absorption of calcium and iron.
With the body's reduced ability to absorb calcium and iron, bone problems and anemia may occur.
4.
Urinary changes.
Aging affects the kidneys, ureters and bladder.
With aging, kidney function declines, about a third of its mass decreases, and the number and size of the filtering units called nephrons also decrease.
Concentrating urine becomes an issue as one gets on in years.
Urinary flow decreases as well, while incidence of urine retention increases.
These urinary changes make one more prone to developing infection and stones.
5.
Endocrine changes.
Resistance to insulin may occur when the muscle cells become less sensitive, and so older people tend to have higher than normal blood glucose levels.
Some develop adult-onset diabetes, which may not necessarily require insulin injections but has to be managed nonetheless with diet, exercise, and medications.
6.
Changes in the nervous system.
Normally, changes in the nervous system are not apparent till age 60 and beyond.
Attention span is diminished in older people, and there is some degree of memory loss, too.
Visual-spatial ability and conceptualization may be affected, and the response time to process information may be slower.
7.
Changes in the immune system.
Decreased ability to produce antibodies normally comes with age, and when this happens, the ability to fight infections becomes compromised.
Older people tend to acquire infections easily.
8.
Musculoskeletal changes.
Some of the prominent changes involving the musculoskeletal system include loss of about 2 inches of height, weight loss, bone loss, and muscle loss.
Then of course, there are also the notable thinning of the skin, a decrease in elastin and collagen, and the inability to retain moisture.
The hair also goes through some changes.
Thinning of the hair, graying of the hair, and hair loss are commonly encountered from age 50 onwards.
9.
Reproductive changes.
In women, production of estrogen decreases significantly, eliminating the ability to conceive.
In men, testosterone levels decrease, and with this comes a decrease in the urge to have sex.
10.
Sensory changes.
The ability of the various sense organs to function declines with age.
Visual acuity decreases, hearing and smelling are impaired, and taste is also diminished.
A major thing to understand is that while these changes normally occur with aging, they can happen at any time in one's life due to some triggering factors.
So when you happen to experience any of these things, it will be wise to consult a specialist in order to be treated properly.
