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Developmental-Genetic Theory
Changes occurring with age are genetically programmed
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Stochastic Theory
- changes result from random evens or environmental influences.
- ex. aging skin from sun, which causes change in DNA
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Physical skin changes with aging
- Wrinkled, Dry
- Uneven pigmentation
- Sparse, gray hair
- Decreased elasticity
- Decreased dermis layer (20%), increased transparency
- Decreased blood flow
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Functional Skin changes with aging
- decreased sensory perception
- decreased protection
- decreased perspiration
- decreased fluid/electrolyte balance
- decreased metabolism
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Physical changes in the musculoskeletal system
- decreased height
- change in body composition (decreased lean muscle and body water, increased adipose)
- decreased type II fibers
- Bone mass loss (age 35 is peak)
- decreased distance between vertebra
- cartilage loss
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Functional changes in the musculoskeletal system
- decreased strength
- decreased high speed performance & recreation
- slowed movements
- altered gait
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Muscle changes that affect performance and endurance
- decline in high-speed performance and reation time because of a decrease in type II muscle fibers.
- type I muscle fibers remain consistent with age, which offers endurance.
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Process of bone loss
- process of bone formation is slowed in relation to bone resorption
- loss of bone mass
- weakened bone strucuture
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Common changes in blood pressure regulation
- orthostatic hypotension
- drop in systolic pressure in assuming an upright position or after a meal
- compensatory mechanisms are delayed or insufficient
- diminished changes in heart rate and diastolic pressure
- changes of autonomic nervous system function
- inadequate function of the circulatory system
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Physical changes of the cardiovascular system
- increased systolic BP
- decreased left ventricular diastolic relaxation
- decreased cardiac output
- increase left ventrical wall thickness
- increased afterload
- atrial hypertrophy and enlargement
- decreased elasticity of vessels (increased pressure)
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Functional changes in the cardiac system
- decreased responsiveness to catecholamines
- venous stasis
- decreased compensatory mechanisms
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Physical changes of the respiratory system
increased respiratory rate
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Functional changes of the respiratory system
- decreased max O2 consumption
- calcification of soft tissue
- increased workload of respiratory muscles
- decreased cough mechanism
- increased rate of infection
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Physical changes of the neurologic system
- decreased brain weight
- neuron loss (cerebral cortex)
- diminished electrochemical reactions
- change in dopamine, acetylcholine and 5-HT
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Functional changes of the neurologic system
- slowing of thought process
- decreased ability to perform normal tasks
- decreased sensory motor system
- changes in perception, auditory, speech and memory
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Physical changes in vision
- visual acuity
- decreased pupil diameter
- decreased refractive power of the lense
- atrophy of ciliary muscles
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Functional changes of vision
- decline in night vision
- decline in color discrimination
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Physical changes of hearing
- presbycusis
- cerumen impaction
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Functional changes in hearing
- loss of high pitch sounds
- speech discrimination
- symmetrical hearing loss
- thicker ear wax
- compensate with lip reading
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Physical changes in taste and smell
decreased olfaction
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Functional changes of taste and smell
- concerns of safety; can't smell fire
- decreased appetite
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Physical changes in immune function
increase in various auto antibodies
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Functional changes in the immune system
- relatively unchanged
- T-cell function is decreased
- Increase in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
- no spike in blood cells
- no fever spike
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Physical GI changes
- presbyesophagus (inability to relax sphincter to stomach)
- gastric mucosa atrophy
- achlorhydia (increased pH)
- decreased transit time
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Functional changes of GI
- alterations in absorption rates
- decreased exposure to drug
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Physical changes of the GU system
- Changes in bladder structure
- Decreased sex hormones
- changes in genital structures
- decreased elasticity of bladder
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Functional changes of the GU system
- Males: BPH, Androgen deficiency
- Females: vaginal atrophy
- sexual activity
- incontinence not common
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Physical changes in renal function
- decreased renal mass
- decreased filtration rate
- decreased blood flow
- decreased thirst
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Functional changes in renal function
- altered ability to maintain homeostasis
- predisposition to dehydration
- prone to electrolyte imbalance
- urine is not concentrated as well
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Four risk factors for falls in older individuals
- compounding age related changes
- Gait changes (heal & toe lift)
- environmental hazards
- Medication contributions
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Vitamin D
increased muscle strength
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Creatinine clearance
- creatinine comes from muscles
- decreased muscle = decreased creatinine
- overestimate creatinine clearance
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