The
ageing can be described as the gradual deterioration of the physiological and
psychological function in, man usually characterized by grey hair, wrinkled
skin, partial deafness blindness, weakness, amnesia and decline in reasoning
power
ageing can be described as the gradual deterioration of the physiological and
psychological function in, man usually characterized by grey hair, wrinkled
skin, partial deafness blindness, weakness, amnesia and decline in reasoning
power
Physiological changes
In man,
it can be defined as the changes that occur in the body function which may be
organic and systematic. Physiological changes associated which ageing are as
follows:
it can be defined as the changes that occur in the body function which may be
organic and systematic. Physiological changes associated which ageing are as
follows:
i. Cardiovascular
changes: The heart is one of
the organs that exhibit significant changes in old age which is usually as a
result of increased demand on the body function. Such cardio-vascular changes
include:
changes: The heart is one of
the organs that exhibit significant changes in old age which is usually as a
result of increased demand on the body function. Such cardio-vascular changes
include:
a.
Narrowing
of the lumen vessels due to fat deposit
Narrowing
of the lumen vessels due to fat deposit
b.
The
thickening and weakening of the arteries and veins
The
thickening and weakening of the arteries and veins
These
cardio vascular changes often result in such medical condition as hypertension
angina pectoris etc
cardio vascular changes often result in such medical condition as hypertension
angina pectoris etc
i.
Tissue atrophy: Old age is characterized by generalized tissue atrophy this is because
cell division fails to keep up with cell death,
thus a phase of negative growth begin this negative growth pattern manifests
and progressively all loss in the central nervous system and other special
senses so these tissues start to get
smaller and start to function poorly e.g.
Tissue atrophy: Old age is characterized by generalized tissue atrophy this is because
cell division fails to keep up with cell death,
thus a phase of negative growth begin this negative growth pattern manifests
and progressively all loss in the central nervous system and other special
senses so these tissues start to get
smaller and start to function poorly e.g.
a.
Haring loss
Haring loss
b.
Visual defects visual defects in elderly are
due to degenerative processes and weakness of the eye muscles often opacity of
the eye lens (cataract) is common
condition of the aged
Visual defects visual defects in elderly are
due to degenerative processes and weakness of the eye muscles often opacity of
the eye lens (cataract) is common
condition of the aged
c.
Loss
of taste: this also a result of degenerative
process and tissue atrophy
Loss
of taste: this also a result of degenerative
process and tissue atrophy
ii.
Gastro intestinal changes
Gastro intestinal changes
They are a result of:
a.
Loss of
teeth
Loss of
teeth
b.
Reduced gastro- intestinal tract secretion
Reduced gastro- intestinal tract secretion
c.
Consequently
therefore constipation and indigestion become the gastro intestinal changes
Consequently
therefore constipation and indigestion become the gastro intestinal changes
iii.
Musculo-skeletal changes
Musculo-skeletal changes
The
musculo-skeletal change result in hypothermia, which the body cannot maintain
adequate body temperature regulations. Hypothermia in the elderly is due to
loss of the subcutaneous fat, inadequate healing immobility. Also osteoarthritis.
Cartilagininous degeneration are part of the musculo skeletal changes.
musculo-skeletal change result in hypothermia, which the body cannot maintain
adequate body temperature regulations. Hypothermia in the elderly is due to
loss of the subcutaneous fat, inadequate healing immobility. Also osteoarthritis.
Cartilagininous degeneration are part of the musculo skeletal changes.
iv.
Reproductive changes
Reproductive changes
This
signs of ageing manifest early in the females where menopause set in at the age
of 40-50 years. The uterus, the genital and breast atrophy. These changes occur
much later in men the changes in men include:
signs of ageing manifest early in the females where menopause set in at the age
of 40-50 years. The uterus, the genital and breast atrophy. These changes occur
much later in men the changes in men include:
·
Atrophy of the tests
Atrophy of the tests
·
Decline
in sexual drive and energy e.g. there is decline penile and ejaculation etc
Decline
in sexual drive and energy e.g. there is decline penile and ejaculation etc
v.
Respiratory changes: degenerative processes and tissue atrophy reduce
the general body resistance of the aged. There is loss of elastic tissue
surrounding the alveoli and its duct which usually result in reduction in their
functional capacity rendering them prone to respiratory infections like Bronchitis, Broncho- pneumonia, etc.
Respiratory changes: degenerative processes and tissue atrophy reduce
the general body resistance of the aged. There is loss of elastic tissue
surrounding the alveoli and its duct which usually result in reduction in their
functional capacity rendering them prone to respiratory infections like Bronchitis, Broncho- pneumonia, etc.
vi.
Skin changes: there is dryness and wrinkling which can be linked with loss of body
fluid the body water contents decreases from 75% at birth to 55% by the age off
70 years
Skin changes: there is dryness and wrinkling which can be linked with loss of body
fluid the body water contents decreases from 75% at birth to 55% by the age off
70 years
Effects of the physiological changes on the various bodily systems are
as follows:
as follows:
Changes
in the tissue result in graying of hair, partial deafness blindness weakness,
amnesia, senile dementia etc changes in the body fluid result is wrinkled and
dry skin.
in the tissue result in graying of hair, partial deafness blindness weakness,
amnesia, senile dementia etc changes in the body fluid result is wrinkled and
dry skin.
·
Digestive
changes in constipation and
indigestion
Digestive
changes in constipation and
indigestion
·
Musculo-skeletal
changes in hypothermia , arthritis,
Musculo-skeletal
changes in hypothermia , arthritis,
·
Dental
changes result in loss of teeth
reproductive changes in menopause, breast and uterine atrophy in females and loss of libido in
males cardio vascular changes e.g. hypertension and
arteriolerosis changes in nervous
system resulting in coordination of
activities and gait
Dental
changes result in loss of teeth
reproductive changes in menopause, breast and uterine atrophy in females and loss of libido in
males cardio vascular changes e.g. hypertension and
arteriolerosis changes in nervous
system resulting in coordination of
activities and gait
