The ageing process is the gradual deterioration of the physiological and psychological functions in man which are usually characterized by grey hair, wrinkled skin, poor appetite, failure in smelling indigestion and constipation, partial deafness, partial blindness, weak muscle and decline in reasoning power etc. According to researchers, some biological theories are associated with ageing
The top theories are as follows
- Telomere theory: This theory is inside the cell. It replicate in the body often and often, it will get to a stage or time that it will become weak
- Reproductive cell cycle theory: For example when a woman is menstruating According to the theory, certain reproductive hormone act development and growth to ensure growth and development. Over time, these hormones get deregulated and become incapable to perform their actions.
- Wear and tear theory: Several damages occur inside our body over time. Accumulation of such damages results in ageing.
- Somatic mutation theory: when damages occur in the genetic constitution of our body, it gradually leads to ageing.
- Error in accumulation theory: during replication several proof reading activities occur. Sometimes, the proof reading activities are mixed by chance. This leads to damages to the genetic code. Gradual accumulation of such genetic damages results in ageing.
- The viral theory of ageing: damages to the DNA (Deoxybonucleic acid) the base of life is considered as the prime cause of ageing. Several cause like chemical exposure, viral infections and radiations are the prime causes of starting of ageing due to damages to the DNA. Maximum harm is done due to viral infection.
- Evolutionary theory: All speculative and unsolved theories of ageing are planned on these categories. No proper scientific evidences are available; there is not scientific proof of this theory.
- Accumulative waste theory: This theory states the involvement of the body waste in the ageing process the gradual accumulation of body waste starts interfering with the usual metabolism procedure. Thus initiating ageing.
- Auto immune theory: With the decrease in number of auto antibodies, the number of attacks, also in increase over the body tissues, several disease; like Hashimoto-thyroiditis, atrophic gastritis involved to the ageing. These disease occur after the initiation of the process of ageing similarly, ageing might also belied to the auto responses.
- Ageing – clock theory: researchers believed that these certain pre programme sequences present within the endocrine and nervous system of the body. This work like a clock to control all body activities and initiate the process of ageing i.e. there is time for everything. There is to be born, to be young and to grow old
Medical classification of older persons
There are 4 (four) major groups:
- Elderly fit person
- Elderly sick person
- Elderly infirm person
- Elderly psychiatric person
- Elderly fit person: These are the group that can manage themselves and their affair with little or no help.
- Elderly sick: These groups are people that suffer acute ailment requiring immediate care and if they are well managed they become fit again
- Elderly infirm person: Disabled. These groups are people having physical defects that make life difficult for them to manage their own affairs.
- Elderly psychiatric: This group has dementia and they are depressed. This kind of people should be referred to psychiatric hospital for proper management.
Factor influencing the health of older people
- Lifestyle: Is a way used by people, groups and nations and is formed in specific geographical, economic, political cultural and religious text. Life style is referred to the characteristic of inhabitant of region in special time and place. It includes day to day behaviours and functions of individual in job, activities and fun. Finally, variables of life style that influence on health can be categorized in some item;
- Diet and body mass index [BMI]: Diet is the greatest factor in life style and has a direct and positive relation with health.
- Exercise: For treating general health problems, the exercise is included in lifestyle. The continuous exercise along with a healthy diet increases the health.
- Sleep: One of the bases of healthy life is the sleep. Sleep cannot be apart from life. Sleep disorders have several social, psychological, economical and healthy consequences.
- Sexual behavior: Normal sex relation is necessary in life dysfunction of sex relation is the problem of most societies and it has a significant effect on mental and physical health.
- Substance abuse: Addiction is considered as an unhealthy life style. e.g. smoking cigarette permanently.
- Medication abuse: also considered as an unhealthy life style e.g. self treatment and using medications without prescription.
- Recreation: Neglecting leisure can bring negative consequences.
- Study: Is the exercise of the soul.
- Application of modern technologies: Advanced technology facilitates the life of human being.
