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Y3 Medicine for the Elderly > Ageing > Flashcards

Flashcards in Ageing Deck (8)
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1
Q

what is ageing?

A

a progressive, generalised impairment of function resulting in a loss of adaptive response to disease

2
Q

what causes human ageing?

A

random molecular damage during cell replication

3
Q

what are telomeres?

A

the tips of chromosomes

consist of multiple TTAGGG repeats which form a DNA loop

4
Q

what is the hayflick limit?

A

the number of times a normal human cell can divide before division ceases

5
Q

what happens to the telomeres of a chromosome throughout life?

A

progressively shortens

eventually becomes too short to sustain cell replicatio

6
Q

what is frailty?

A

loss of homeostasis and resilience

leads to increased vulnerability to decompensation after a stressor event

7
Q

what does frailty increase the risk of?

A

falls
delirium
disability
death

8
Q

what can enhance survival in people aged 75 and over?

A

not smoking
being part of a social network
physical activity

encourage lifestyle changes to meet these factors