Cardiovascular changes ::
Major changes are seen in cardiovascular system There is a gradual transition from the low and safe side blood pressure to a high and dangerous side Arteries become thick and atherosclerotic There is shrinkage of blood supply to various organs and the performance of various organs become poorer The heart cannot keep up its efficient circulation during work and exercise There is increased rigidity of the heart valves thickening and roughening of auricular endocardium and atrophy of the special protion of the left ventricle Cardiovascular diseases are found in approximately 60% of the old patients
Respiratory system ::
Functions of respiratory system also get poorer Lungs do not fill up well vital capacity decreases Breathlessness is the cry of the respiratory centre for want of oxygen There is marked susceptibility to respiratory infections
Nervous system ::
In the central nervous system total brain weight is decreased by one sixth or more in the aged There is convolutional atrophy which is more conspicuous in the frontal lobes where the neurons are assigned the most complex thought processes There is a decrease in the vascular supply to brain as a result memory behaviour and judgement are altered and various types of paralysis may develop
In the aged person input and output are tightly coupled Thus an error made once or twice during the process of learning a new skill becomes difficult to eliminate old persons need continuous reassurance and information as they proceed to perform a task
In general the ability to cope up with life deteriorates with age Apparently the reason is that with experience wisdom continues to grow but speed memory learning ability and simple reasoning fade There is a loss of memory for recent events in the elderly while their memory for past events remain crystal clear
Special senses degenerate in the old Eye vision is affected cataract and glaucoma may develop Hearing is adversely affected Tastes of the tongue degenerate
Urinogenital system ::
Renal functions in general are decreased Increased frequency of micturition is the common complain of old people Probably about 50% of the nephron units are lost in people over the age of 60 years
The active reproductive period in women continues up to 40 years at the most to 50 years of age Climacteric in women is comparatively an abrupt and earlier phase while in man the process is much prolonged Prostatic hypertrophy in man is a frequent occurance in men who have passed middle age
Endocrinal atrophy leads to all types of metabolic and other types of degenerations Genital hormones strength vitality and weight are decreased and there is easy fatigue and loss of interest in life
Infants of elderly parents are more likely to have congenital defects than the children of young parents
Aged persons are more prone to cancer diabetes mellitus high blood pressure and arterio athereosclerosis leading to heart kidney and brain diseases following ischaemia i.e. decrease in blood supply Old age terminates in death which is the end point of titration of life
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