Aging Flashcards
Cardiovascular
less heart muscle fibers, heart and vessels less responsible to sympathetic stimulation, more collagen and calcification, less filling capacity, less stroke volume → slower resting and maximum heart rate, higher blood pressure, less ability of heart and vessels to respond to changes, stress.
Respiratory
less chest wall compliance, less alveolar ventilation, less respiratory muscle strength, less elasticity, less ventilation → less effective mucus clearance, reduced capacity for aerobic exercise, higher respiratory rate.
Musculoskeletal
less muscle mass, more body fat, less body H20, less H20 in muscles, tendons, joints, increased bone demineralization, increased joint degeneration, erosion, calcification –> overall stiffness of muscle and joint
Integumentary
decreased elastin, decreased subcutaneous fat, decreased vascularity –> smaller fat cushion, less blood flow, less resilient skin
Hepatic
reduced liver size, reduced blood flow –> reduced metabolic function
Renal
decreased # of nephrons, GFR declines, decreased urine concentration ability, decreased H concentration ability –> decreased excretion
GI
decreased GI motility, decreased saliva production, smaller gastric capacity –> dry mouth, early satiety
Genitourinary
vaginal dryness, longer time to erection, less forceful ejaculation, decreased sperm motility, decreased bladder size, pelvic muscle atrophy –> changes in sex, urinary retention (males), urinary incontinence (females)
Neurological
nerve cells degenerate and atrophy, decrease # of neurons, decrease neurotransmitters, decrease rate of conduction of nerve impulses, loss of taste, hearing issues –> slower processes, vision changes, hearing loss, decreases sensations
Endocrine/Metabolic
decreased BMR, decreased thermoregulation, decreased febrile response –> less appetite, less tolerance to cold, no fever with infection
Immune
Complex alterations in nonspecific and adaptive immune function, increased risk for infection, increase incidence for certain autoimmune diseases, increased risk for malignancies
Sleep
longer time to fall asleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, little or no deep sleep, REM sleep unchanged
Decreased renal function means:
DRUG TOXICITY
Changes in Absorption
Rate - delayed; decreased GI motility; decreased gastric emptying; decreased CYP450; decreased p-gp activity
Changes in Distribution
numerous alterations; decreased albumin; decreased lean body mass and total body water; decreased p-gp expression and activity; increased relative body fat
