Changes with Aging
by Hannah Davis
1. Reproductive System
1.1. Males
1.1.1. Andropause: decreased sperm count/testosterone
1.1.2. Erectile Dysfunction: can't maintain an erection
1.1.3. Prostate Enlargement
1.2. Females
1.2.1. Less vascular epithelium and thinner
1.2.2. Produce less secretory fluid
1.2.3. Uterus shrinks
1.2.4. Ovary changes: becoming thicker and smaller
1.2.5. Cervix gets smaller
1.2.6. Flatter Labia, loss of SubQ fat
1.2.7. Menopause
1.2.8. Cancer
1.2.8.1. Breast Cancer
1.2.8.2. Cancer of the Vagina
1.2.8.3. Cervix Cancer
1.2.8.4. Ovarian Cancer
1.2.9. Prolapsed Uterus
2. Neurological Changes
2.1. Fraility
2.2. Failure to thrive
2.3. Impaired Cognition
2.3.1. Delerium
2.3.2. Dementia
2.3.2.1. Alzheimer's Disease
2.3.2.2. Parkinson's disease, Aids, trauma and toxins
2.4. Altered Sleep
2.4.1. Insomnia
2.4.2. Sleep Apnea
2.5. Reduction in neurons, nerve fibers and cerebral blood flow
3. Physical Appearance
3.1. Hair loss, graying
3.2. wrinkles
3.3. loss of tissue elasticity
3.4. diminished stature
4. Respiratory System
4.1. Calcification of costal cartilage
4.2. rib cage more rigid
4.3. reduced cough and laryngeal reflex
4.4. increased residual capacity
4.5. reduced vital capacity
4.6. COPD
4.6.1. asthma
4.6.2. chronic bronchitis
4.6.3. emphysema
4.7. Lung Cancer
4.8. Lung Abscess
5. Cardiovascular System
5.1. heart muscles loosen
5.2. reduced cardiac output
5.3. thick and rigid valves
5.4. blood vessels reduce elasticity
5.5. oxygen used less efficiently
5.6. hypertension/hypotension
5.7. congestive heart failure
5.8. pulmonary emboli
5.9. hyperlipidemia
5.10. Varicose Veins
5.11. Heart Failure
6. Gastrointestinal System
6.1. less acute taste sensation
6.2. decreased esophageal motility
6.2.1. dysphagia
6.3. atrophy of small and large intestines
6.4. increased risk for aspiration, indigestion and constipation
6.5. Xerostomia- from decreased saliva production
6.6. Hiatal Hernia
6.7. Esophageal Cancer/Stomach cancer/colorectal cancer
6.8. Peptic Ulcer disease
6.9. Diverticular disease
6.10. Intestinal Obstruction
7. Renal System
7.1. Hypertrophy and thickening of bladder muscles
7.2. kidney filtration decreases
7.3. daytime urinary frequency/nocturia
7.4. Inefficient neurological control of bladder emptying and weaker bladder muscles
7.5. Urinary incontinence
7.5.1. stress
7.5.2. urgency
7.5.3. overflow
7.5.4. neurogenic
7.5.5. functional
7.5.6. mixed
7.6. Bladder cancer
7.7. Renal calculi
7.8. Glomerulonephritis
8. Integumentary
8.1. reduced thickness and vascularity of the dermis
8.2. degeneration of elasticitc fibers
8.3. increased coarseness of collagen
8.4. reduction of melanocytes
8.5. decline in hair and nail growth
8.6. skin becomes more fragile
8.7. body image misconceptions
8.8. pruritus
8.9. keratosis
8.9.1. actinic or solar keratoses
8.10. seborrhea keratosis
8.11. skin cancer
8.11.1. basal cell carcinoma
8.11.2. squamous cell carcinoma
8.11.3. melanoma
8.12. stasis dermatitis
8.13. pressure ulcers
9. Musculoskeletal System
9.1. decline in size and number of muscle fibers, reduction in muscle mass
9.2. decreased body strength
9.3. endurance declines
9.4. reduced flexibility
9.5. brittle bones
9.5.1. fractures
9.5.2. osteoporosis
9.6. osteoarthritis
9.7. rheumatoid arthritis
9.8. gout
10. Sensation
10.1. vision
10.1.1. reduced elasticity and stiffening of the muscle fibers on the lens
10.1.1.1. decreased ability to focus
10.1.1.1.1. presbyopia
10.1.2. reduced pupil size
10.1.3. opacification of th lens and vitreous
10.1.4. light perception decreases
10.1.5. dark and light adaptation takes longer
10.1.6. difficulty night vision
10.1.7. disorder depth perception
10.1.8. clouding of lens
10.1.8.1. cataracts
10.1.9. damage to optic nerve
10.1.9.1. glaucoma
10.1.10. corneal ulcer
10.1.11. detached retina
10.2. hearing
10.2.1. impacting communication
10.2.1.1. sensorineural hearing loss
10.2.1.1.1. presbycusis
10.2.2. impacted cerumen
10.2.3. otosclerosis
10.2.4. tinnitus
10.3. additional:
10.3.1. taste buds decrease
10.3.2. decreased tactile sensation
10.3.3. cant differentiate temperatures
11. Endocrine
11.1. diminished adrenal function
11.2. ACTH secretion decreases
11.3. insufficient insulin release
11.3.1. reduced sensitivity to insulin
11.3.1.1. type 2 dm
11.4. volume of pituitary gland decreases
11.5. thyroid gland atrophy
11.5.1. decreased function
11.5.1.1. primary hypothyroidism
11.5.1.2. secondary hypothyroidism
11.5.1.3. uncontrolled weight gain