1. Age classifications
2. Anatomical and physiological features of the elderly.
3. Communication
Age classifications
Age classification of Pythagoras
Pythagoras considered human life in terms of the change of seasons and divided it into 4 seasons, each of 20 years. Spring - childhood (20 years), summer - youth (20-40 years), autumn - maturity (40-60 years), winter - old age (60 - 80 years).
Periodization D. Bromley
Human life is considered as a set of five cycles: uterine, childhood, youth, adulthood and aging.
1. Cycle of uterine development: zygote, embryo, fetus, moment of birth.
2. Cycle of childhood: infancy, preschool childhood, early school childhood and 11-13 years of age.
3. Cycle of adolescence: adolescence (11-13-15 years) and late youth (16-21 years).
4. Cycle of adulthood: early adulthood (21-25 years old); middle adulthood (26-40 years0; late adulthood (41-55 years); pre-retirement age (56-65 years).
5. Aging: removal from business (66-70 years); old age (71-90); decrepitude - after 90 years.
Classification of age assessment (E.I. Kholostova, textbook)
1. Pre-productive age (0-17 years).
2. Productive age (men: 18 - 64 years, women: 18 - 59 years).
3.Post-productive age (men: over 65 years old, women: over 60 years old).
4. Old age men: 65 -79 years old, women: 60 - 79 years old).
5.Deep old age - over 80 years old.
Classification of age assessment (N.F. Basov, textbook)
Old age - 61 - 74 (men); 56 - 74 (women)
Senile age 75 - 90 years (men and women)
Long-livers - 90 years and older (men and women)
Elderly age- precedes old age, denoting the transition period from maturity to old age. According to the classification of the World Health Organization, old age covers the chronological framework from 61 to 75 years for men and from 55 to 75 years for women.
Late adulthood is often referred to as gerontogenesis, or a period of aging. Gerontogenesis begins after 60 years. The main feature of this age is the aging process, which is a genetically programmed process, accompanied by certain age-related changes in the body.
- Anatomical and physiological features of the elderly
Skin and subcutaneous tissue Due to the reduction of perspiration and sebum secretion, loss of elasticity, the skin becomes dry, wrinkled and folded. The amount of subcutaneous fat decreases. Because of this, the skin is easily displaced, becomes flabby. It is easily injured, cracked, torn, ulcerated, does not heal well.
Hair changes. Hair loses pigment, thins out, becomes brittle. Most often, older women are concerned about hirsutism - increased growth of coarse hair on the face in menopause. This growth increases when trying to shave, pull out hair. The formation of bald patches on the temples, on the crown, baldness (mainly in men) is often hereditary. Stress, hormonal disorders, vitamin and microelement deficiencies, occupational hazards and intoxications lead to baldness. The experience of geriatricians shows that it is not uncommon for elderly patients to become very worried about hair loss on their heads, fall into depression or anxiety. It is necessary to offer in such cases the use of a suitable wig. Taking care of the hair of an elderly person, washing it often, combing it neatly, cutting it, and combing it every day create a good mood, increase self-esteem, and prevent depression.
Musculoskeletal apparatus. Due to osteoporosis - rarefaction of bone tissue - the bones become brittle. Easily broken even with minor bruises. The articular cartilage, including intervertebral discs, becomes thinner, which leads to the development of pain, changes in posture, and curvature of the spine. The elderly are often tormented by severe pain in the spine, hip, knee, shoulder joints with any movement. Pain is accompanied by severe deformity and limited mobility. This leads to a decrease in the motor activity of the elderly, his isolation, depression, and the desire to stay in bed all the time.
Physical exercise not only stops the loss of muscle mass, but also contributes to the increase in strength even in very old people, an increase in their motor activity. It is known that after persistent physical education for 1-2 months, many elderly people refused canes and walkers. Therefore, physical activity despite the pain syndrome, physical exercises with a dosed load help to maintain mobility and physical strength at any age. For patients with articular pain syndrome, isometric exercises.
Respiratory system. Shortness of breath develops. Poor ventilation contributes to the development of pneumonia. In the elderly, the cough reflex is reduced. Hypoxia develops - a condition accompanied by a low content of oxygen in the blood, which leads to rapid fatigue, drowsiness. Hypoxia causes sleep disturbances. Therefore, the elderly need to be in the fresh air more often, do breathing exercises.
The cardiovascular system. The work of the heart muscle deteriorates. The tissues are not provided with adequate oxygen, because of this, fatigue quickly sets in. The body is poorly prepared for the upcoming physical work, it is poorly worked out and then poorly restored. If an elderly person is forced to spend a lot of time sitting or standing, he develops swelling of the legs, varicose veins of the lower extremities.
During physical work, blood pressure rises sharply. In older people, in sudden situations, such as fear, stress, blood pressure can rise sharply or, conversely, fall sharply. This happens, for example, with orthostatic collapse, when, with a rapid transition from a horizontal to a vertical position, blood pressure drops sharply, which may be accompanied by loss of consciousness. Therefore, older people should not stand up abruptly.
Digestive system. Elderly people often suffer from poor appetite. This is due to the loss of smell, taste, a decrease in the amount of saliva and digestive juices secreted. At the same time, nutrients are poorly absorbed. Even in the presence of their own teeth in the elderly, the function of biting and chewing is often impaired, the mechanical processing of food in the mouth worsens. Older people have trouble chewing due to poor oral health. As a result, they may refuse to eat and lose weight. In old age, the liver needs more time to decompose toxic substances and drugs, the production of proteins - albumins decreases, which leads to poor wound healing.
Older people always eat badly alone and much better - in the company. With difficulty and often reluctantly, they cook their own food and at the same time eat well if the food is prepared by someone who is nearby and who, having set the table, can share a meal with them.
Urinary system. As people age, it becomes difficult to tolerate when the bladder is filled with urine. When the urge to urinate occurs, they feel the need to urinate immediately.
Dream. It takes longer to fall asleep and reach the deep sleep stage. The period of superficial sleep, which does not give rest, increases. If such people are accidentally awakened, they may not fall asleep for a long time. The frequency of random awakenings increases with age, but the total duration of sleep does not change. This often leads to fatigue and apathy. Drowsiness, fatigue and apathy can be associated not only with sleep disturbance, but also with mental disorders. Sleep disorders contribute to: stress, worries, depression, disruption of the daily routine, prolonged bed rest, dehydration, environmental factors.
Communication
The attention of old people is easily distracted by external causes, and then they lose the thread of the conversation, often forget what was just discussed. Therefore, it is important when communicating to create such conditions that nothing distracts them from the conversation. Fast speech with short intervals between words is poorly perceived. It is necessary to speak slowly enough, with breaks between words. You can not "swallow" the endings of words and say "excitedly". Facial expression should be welcoming and friendly.
Elderly people hardly participate in a group conversation, if several people speak at the same time, they do not understand the meaning of ongoing conversations, do not immediately join the conversation, answer the question asked. Attempts to avoid situations that require intense thinking are characteristic, to replace intellectual efforts with various motor techniques - shaking the head, scratching the back of the head, stretching out speech. If an older person speaks to you with irritation, in no case do not answer him in the same way. In a difficult conversation, do not think that the rough truth is good. Answer gently, try to divert the conversation from a topic that causes irritation or an unpleasant feeling in an elderly person.
Asking older people about their past is very beneficial for them. Ask the elderly person to tell about his relatives, childhood, places where he lived in his youth, about past work, interests. It is very good to look together at old photographs of the places where he was born, lived, worked, especially those in which he is depicted in strength, performing socially significant work. This always helps to increase the self-esteem of an elderly person. However, older people should feel a real interest in the events being told, a desire to experience what they once experienced and felt. If he does not believe the interest, then, most likely, he will withdraw into himself, and you will lose his trust for a long time.
Older people willingly play games: mosaics, lotto, dominoes, puzzles. If they organize a workplace, they willingly sew, weave, knit, cut, draw, etc. They love to play together, with each other, communicate with animals, pick flowers, weave wreaths.
Age-related changes in the systems of the human body
|
Age period |
Development features |
|
newborns - from the moment of birth to 4 weeks; |
The growth and development of individual muscle groups occur unevenly. First of all, the abdominal muscles develop in infants, and a little later, the masticatory muscles. The muscles of a child, unlike the muscles of an adult, are paler, softer and more elastic. By the end of the first year of life, the muscles of the back and limbs noticeably increase, at this time the child begins to walk. During the period from birth to the end of the growth of the child, the mass of muscles increases by 35 times. |
|
early childhood - from 1 year to 3 years; |
mastering a static posture, walking and the beginning of mastering speech. This activity of the skeletal muscles causes changes in the structure of the nervous system and the improvement of its functions, the structure of the skeleton and skeletal muscles, the regulation of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, an increase in the volume and weight of the heart, lungs and other internal organs. Termination of breastfeeding, changes in the consistency and composition of food and the appearance of milk teeth lead to a restructuring of the digestive canal, changes in its motor and secretory functions and absorption. The level of metabolism per 1 kg of body weight increases significantly due to the participation of tone and contractions of skeletal muscles not only in the movement of the body, but also in heat production at rest. By the end of the preschool period, running mechanisms are formed, and speech functions continue to develop. |
|
preschool - from 3 to 7 years; |
the maintenance of a relative constancy of body temperature at rest by tension of the skeletal muscles ceases; with the onset of preschool age, the skeletal muscles at rest completely relax. The motor neurons of the brain acquire the shape characteristic of an adult, the weight of the brain increases significantly (it becomes three times larger than that of a newborn). Improving the functions of the brain (especially the mechanism of inhibition) leads to a decrease in the level of metabolism per 1 kg of body weight, the appearance of an inhibitory effect of the nervous system on cardiac and respiratory activity, an increase in the period of wakefulness and a decrease in the period of sleep. |
|
junior school - from 7 to 11 years; |
the rapid development of the muscles of the hands, the simplest labor and household motor skills are formed, small precise hand movements begin to be developed. Changes in motor activity are associated with the beginning of schooling, especially with learning to write and the simplest work. As a result of the complication and increase in the number of movements and great mobility, by the beginning of primary school age, the development of brain neurons basically ends, and its functions are improved. First of all, this applies to braking, which ensures the coordination of subtle and precise movements. Basically, by this age, the formation of the inhibitory effect of the nervous system on the heart is completed, the weight of the heart and lungs increases, and the improvement of the regulation of metabolism entails a decrease in its level by 1 kg of body weight. When changing milk teeth to permanent ones, a further restructuring of the digestive canal occurs, which is associated with the consumption of food corresponding to an adult. |
|
senior school, or teenage (puberty) - from 11 to 16 years. |
characterized by the onset of puberty, a change in the functions of skeletal muscles, their increased growth and development, the mastery of motor skills of labor, physical exercises. There is a completion of the morphological maturation of the motor apparatus, which has almost reached a fairly perfect level of functioning, characteristic of adults. At the same time, the formation of the motor zone in the brain practically ends, the frequency of the pulse and respiration decreases, and there is a further decrease in the relative level of metabolism, which, nevertheless, is even more than in an adult. The change of milk teeth to permanent ones is completed. At the age of 12–16 years (puberty), due to the lengthening of the tubular bones, the tendons of the muscles also intensively lengthen. At this time, the muscles become long and thin, which is why teenagers look long-legged and long-armed. |
|
youth (from 16 years to 21 years), |
characterized by increased muscle growth and the formation of massive muscle fibers, a sharp increase in their strength and a significant complication and expansion of the activity of the motor apparatus. The weight of the brain and spinal cord almost reaches the level of an adult. The process of ossification of the sesamoid bones begins. At 15–18 years of age, transverse muscle growth occurs. Their development continues up to 25-30 years. |
Age-related changes in the endocrine system.
The endocrine glands produce various chemicals called hormones. Hormones act on metabolism in negligible amounts, they serve as catalysts, exercising their effect through the blood and nervous system. Hormones have a huge impact on mental and physical development, growth, changes in the structure of the body and its functions, determine sex differences.
Hormones are characterized by specificity of action: they have a selective effect only on a certain function (or functions). The effect of hormones on metabolism is carried out mainly through changes in the activity of certain enzymes, and hormones affect either directly their synthesis or the synthesis of other substances involved in a particular enzymatic process. The action of the hormone depends on the dose and can be inhibited by various compounds (sometimes called antihormones).
The weight of the thyroid gland is: in a newborn - 1.5-2.0 g, by 3 years - 5.0 g, by 5 years - 5.5 g, by 5-8 years - 9.5 g, by 11-12 years (by the beginning of puberty) - 10.0-18.0 g, by 13-15 years - 22-35 g, in an adult - 25-40 g. By old age, the weight of the gland decreases, and in men it is more than in women .
The effect of hormones on protein metabolism is associated with age. In adults and children, thyroid hormones have the opposite effect: in adults, with an excess of the hormone, the breakdown of proteins increases and emaciation occurs, in children, protein synthesis increases and the growth and formation of the body accelerate. Both hormones increase the synthesis and breakdown of cholesterol with a predominance of breakdown.
Age-related changes in the organs of hearing.
at 3–4 months he distinguishes the pitch of a sound, at 4–5 months sounds become conditioned reflex stimuli for him. By the age of 1-2, children distinguish sounds with a difference of one or two, and by four or five years - even 3/4 and 1/2 musical tones.
Hearing acuity is determined by the smallest sound intensity that causes a sound sensation. This is the so-called threshold of hearing. In an adult, the hearing threshold is 10–12 dB, in children 6–9 years old it is 17–24 dB, in children 10–12 years old it is 14–19 dB. The greatest hearing acuity is achieved by the age of 14-19.
Age-related changes in the circulatory system.
The amount of blood in an adult is on average 7% of body weight, in newborns - from 10 to 20% of body weight, in infants - from 9 to 13%, in children from 6 to 16 years old - 7%. The younger the child, the higher his metabolism and the greater the amount of blood per 1 kg of body weight. In newborns, there are 150 cubic meters per 1 kg of body weight. cm of blood, in infants - 110 cc. cm, for children from 7 to 12 years old - 70 cubic meters. cm, from 15 years old - 65 cubic meters. see. The amount of blood in boys and men is relatively greater than in girls and women. At rest, approximately 40-45% of the blood circulates in the blood vessels, and the rest is in the depot (capillaries of the liver, spleen, and subcutaneous tissue). Blood from the depot enters the general bloodstream with an increase in body temperature, muscle work, ascent to a height, and blood loss. Rapid loss of circulating blood is life threatening. For example, with arterial bleeding and the loss of 1/3-1/2 of the total amount of blood, death occurs due to a sharp drop in blood pressure.
blood plasma. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood after all the formed elements have been separated. It accounts for 55–60% of the total blood volume in adults, and less than 50% in newborns due to the large volume of red blood cells. The blood plasma of an adult contains 90–91% water, 6.6–8.2% proteins, of which 4–4.5% albumin, 2.8–3.1% globulin and 0.1–0.4% fibrinogen; the rest of the plasma is made up of minerals, sugar, metabolic products, enzymes, hormones. The content of proteins in the plasma of newborns is 5.5-6.5%, in children under 7 years old - 6-7%.
With age, the amount of albumin decreases, and globulins increase, the total protein content approaches the level of adults by 3-4 years. Gamma globulins reach the adult norm by 3 years, alpha and beta globulins by 7 years. The content of proteolytic enzymes in the blood after birth increases and by the 30th day of life reaches the level of adults.
Blood minerals include table salt (NaCl), 0.85-0.9%, potassium chloride (KC1), calcium chloride (CaCl2) and bicarbonates (NaHCO3), 0.02% each, etc. In newborns, the amount of sodium less than in adults, and reaches the norm by 7-8 years. From 6 to 18 years, the sodium content ranges from 170 to 220 mg%. The amount of potassium, on the contrary, is the highest in newborns, the lowest - at 4-6 years old and reaches the norm of adults by 13-19 years old.
Boys 7-16 years old have more inorganic phosphorus than adults, 1.3 times; organic phosphorus is more than inorganic, 1.5 times, but less than in adults.
The amount of glucose in the blood of an adult on an empty stomach is 0.1-0.12%. The amount of sugar in the blood in children (mg%) on an empty stomach: in newborns - 45-70; in children 7-11 years old - 70-80; 12-14 years old - 90-120. The change in blood sugar in children 7–8 years old is much greater than in 17–18 years old. Significant fluctuations in blood sugar during puberty. With intensive muscular work, the level of sugar in the blood decreases.
In addition, blood plasma contains various nitrogenous substances, amounting to 20–40 mg per 100 cubic meters. see blood; 0.5-1.0% fat and fat-like substances.
The viscosity of the blood of an adult is 4-5, a newborn - 10-11, a child of the first month of life - 6, then a gradual decrease in viscosity is observed. The active reaction of the blood, depending on the concentration of hydrogen and hydroxide ions, is slightly alkaline. The average blood pH is 7.35. When acids formed in the process of metabolism enter the blood, they are neutralized by a reserve of alkalis. Some acids are removed from the body, for example, carbon dioxide is converted into carbon dioxide and water vapor, exhaled during increased ventilation of the lungs. With excessive accumulation of alkaline ions in the body, for example, with a vegetarian diet, they are neutralized by carbonic acid, which is delayed by a decrease in lung ventilation.
The formed elements of blood include erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets. Red blood cells are called erythrocytes. They have a biconcave shape, which increases their surface by about 1.5 times. The number of red blood cells in 1 cu. mm of blood is equal to: in men - 5–5.5 million; in women - 4-5.5 million. In newborns on the first day of life, their number reaches 6 million, then there is a decrease to the norm of an adult. At the age of 7–9 years, the number of erythrocytes is 5–6 million. The greatest fluctuations in the number of erythrocytes are observed during puberty.
In adult erythrocytes, hemoglobin makes up about 32% of the weight of formed elements and, on average, 14% of the weight of whole blood (14 g per 100 g of blood). This amount of hemoglobin is equal to 100%. The content of hemoglobin in the erythrocytes of newborns reaches 14.5% of the adult norm, which is 17–25 g of hemoglobin per 100 g of blood. In the first two years, the amount of hemoglobin drops to 80–90%, and then rises again to normal. The relative content of hemoglobin increases with age and by the age of 14–15 reaches the adult norm. It is equal (in grams per 1 kg of body weight):
at 7–9 years old - 7.5;
10–11 years old - 7.4;
12–13 years old - 8.4;
14–15 years old - 10.4.
Hemoglobin is species specific. If in a newborn it absorbs more oxygen than in an adult (and from the age of 2 this ability of hemoglobin is maximum), then from the age of 3 hemoglobin absorbs oxygen in the same way as in adults. A significant content of erythrocytes and hemoglobin, as well as a greater ability of hemoglobin to absorb oxygen in children under 1 year old, provide them with a more intensive metabolism.
With age, the amount of oxygen in arterial and venous blood increases. 0no equals (in cubic cm per minute): in children 5-6 years old in arterial blood - 400, in venous - 260; in adolescents aged 14–15 years - 660 and 435, respectively; in adults - 800 and 540, respectively. The oxygen content in arterial blood (in cubic cm per 1 kg of weight per minute) is: in children 5–6 years old - 20; in adolescents 14–15 years old - 13; in adults - 11. This phenomenon in preschool children is explained by the relatively large amount of blood and blood flow, significantly exceeding the blood flow of adults.
Leukocytes. These are colorless nucleated blood cells. In an adult, 1 cu. mm of blood contains 6-8 thousand leukocytes. According to the shape of the cell and nucleus, leukocytes are divided into: neutrophils; basophils; eosinophils; lymphocytes; monocytes.
Unlike adults, newborns in 1 cu. mm of blood contains 10-30 thousand leukocytes. The largest number of leukocytes is observed in children aged 2–3 months, and then it gradually decreases in waves and reaches the level of adults by the age of 10–11.
In children up to 9-10 years of age, the relative content of neutrophils is significantly lower than in adults, and the number of lymphocytes is sharply increased up to 14-15 years. Up to 4 years, the absolute number of lymphocytes exceeds the number of neutrophils by about 1.5–2 times, from 4 to 6 years, the number of neutrophils and lymphocytes is first compared, and then neutrophils begin to predominate over lymphocytes, and from the age of 15 their ratio approaches the norms of adults. Leukocytes live up to 12-15 days.
Unlike erythrocytes, the content of leukocytes varies greatly. There is an increase in the total number of leukocytes (leukocytosis) and their decrease (leukopenia). Leukocytosis is observed in healthy people during muscular work, in the first 2–3 hours after a meal, and in pregnant women. In a lying person, leukocytosis is twice as high as in a standing person. Leukopenia occurs under the action of ionizing radiation. Some diseases change the relative content of different forms of leukocytes.
platelets. These are the smallest non-nuclear plates of protoplasm. In adults, 1 cu. mm of blood contains 200-100 thousand platelets, in children under 1 year old - 160-330 thousand; from 3 to 4 years - 350-370 thousand. Platelets live 4-5 and no more than 8-9 days. The composition of the dry residue of platelets contains 16-19% lipids (mainly phosphatides), proteolytic enzymes, serotonin, blood coagulation factors and retractin. An increase in the number of platelets is called thrombocytosis, a decrease is called thrombopenia.
Age-related changes in the heart. The heart of a child after birth not only grows, but processes of shaping take place in it (shape, proportions change). The heart of a newborn occupies a transverse position and has an almost spherical shape. The relatively large liver makes the arch of the diaphragm high, so the position of the heart in the newborn is higher (it is at the level of the fourth left intercostal space). By the end of the first year of life, under the influence of sitting and standing and in connection with the lowering of the diaphragm, the heart takes an oblique position. By 2-3 years, the apex of the heart reaches the fifth rib. In ten-year-old children, the boundaries of the heart become almost the same as in adults.
During the first year of life, the growth of the atria outstrips the growth of the ventricles, then they grow almost equally, and after 10 years, the growth of the ventricles begins to overtake the growth of the atria.
Children's hearts are relatively larger than those of adults. Its mass is approximately 0.63-0.80% of body weight, in an adult - 0.48-0.52%. The heart grows most intensively in the first year of life: by 8 months, the mass of the heart doubles, triples by the age of 3, quadruples by the age of 5, and 11 times by the age of 16.
The mass of the heart in boys in the first years of life is greater than in girls. At the age of 12–13, a period of increased heart growth begins in girls, and its mass becomes larger than that of boys. By the age of 16, the heart of girls again begins to lag behind the heart of boys in mass.
Age-related changes in the digestive system.
The stomach of infants has a rather horizontal position and is located almost entirely in the left hypochondrium. Only when the child begins to stand and walk does his stomach take a more upright position.
With age, the shape of the stomach also changes. In children under 1.5 years old, it is round, up to 2–3 years old it is pear-shaped, by the age of 7 the stomach has the shape of an adult.
The capacity of the stomach increases with age. If in a newborn it is 30–35 ml, then by the end of the first year of life it increases 10 times. At 10–12 years old, the capacity of the stomach reaches 1.5 liters.
The muscular layer of the stomach in children is poorly developed, especially in the bottom area. In newborns, the glandular epithelium of the stomach is poorly differentiated, the main cells are not yet mature enough. The differentiation of the cells of the glands of the stomach in children is completed by the age of seven, but they reach full development only at the end of the puberty period.
In adults, the intestines are relatively shorter than in children: the length of the intestine in an adult exceeds the length of his body by 4-5 times, in an infant - 6 times. Especially intensively the intestine grows in length from 1 to 3 years due to the transition from dairy to mixed food and from 10 to 15 years.
In the process of aging, regular structural and functional changes develop in the body, which are found at all levels of organization - organismal, organ, tissue, cellular, subcellular, molecular.
Table 2.
Comparative characteristics of primary and secondary aging. Examples of primary age-related changes and manifestations of age-related diseases
|
System, organs |
Clinical manifestations |
Primary age-related changes |
Secondary factors of aging (diseases and temporal factors) |
|
The appearance of wrinkles, itching, dryness, hair loss and graying. |
Atrophy (ch. arr. subcutaneous adipose tissue), weakening of the function of sweat and sebaceous glands; reduction in hair growth, reduction in the content of hair pigment. |
solar irradiation; chemical substances. |
|
|
Hearing loss: Decreased ability to distinguish sounds. Decreased sense of balance - dizziness. |
Weakening of the function of the vestibular apparatus. |
Trauma, toxic effects of drugs. |
|
|
Nose and mouth |
Deterioration in the perception of taste sensations, a decrease in the pleasure received from eating, dry mouth. |
Deterioration of smell, a decrease in the number of taste buds, a decrease in the level of taste sensations, a decrease in salivation. |
Medicines; zinc deficiency, periodontitis, decreased nutritional signals |
|
Musculoskeletal system |
Decreased height, tendency to fracture, ossification and inflammation of the joints |
Decrease in the content of mineral substances in the bones, a decrease in the number of muscle fibers; increased ossification of the tendons of the connective tissue; reduction of articular cartilage, deterioration of bone formation. |
Vitamin D deficiency, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol abuse, drugs; diet violation; smoking; injury |
|
Respiratory system- |
Decreased lung capacity, maximum respiratory capacity. |
Weakening of the elasticity of the lung tissue, weakening of the respiratory muscles |
Secondary chronic lung diseases as a result of smoking and adverse environmental conditions; secondary weakening of the respiratory muscles as a result of insufficient work. |
|
The immune system |
Increased susceptibility to infections and malignant growth; impaired immune response, increased levels of autoantibodies |
Reduced cellular immunity, reduced antibody production, increased levels of pathological immunoglobulins and autoimmune processes |
Nutritional deficiency. Autoimmune diseases (thyrotoxicosis, thyroiditis, malignant anemia). |
System Changes
Appearance, psyche, human behavior, all functions change. The skin becomes thinner, its elasticity decreases, wrinkles and age spots appear; hair turns gray, becomes sparse; eyes lose their luster, senile ectropion (ectropion of the eyelid) and ptosis appear. A person's height may decrease, kyphosis often develops, joint mobility is limited; muscle atrophy is observed, their strength decreases, efficiency decreases.
In the nervous system, the number of nerve cells decreases, the weight of the brain, its volume, the linear dimensions of the cortex and ganglia decrease, the gyrus becomes thinner, and the glial elements increase. Nissl's substance decreases, senile chromatolysis develops. "senile plaques" appear in the brain tissue (changes in neutrophils, amyloidosis of the brain). Along with atrophy and destruction of individual neurons, there is compensatory hypertrophy of other cells, their nuclei, mitochondria, etc. In peripheral nerves, there are foci of demyelination, fragmentation, and thinning of the pulp membrane. The speed of impulse conduction along the nerves decreases, the synthesis of mediators of nervous excitation is weakened, and reflex activity decreases. Changes in the psyche, shifts in behavioral and emotional reactions are also associated with age-related changes in the central nervous system; memory impairment; the pace of mental activity is weakened, mechanical memorization suffers while maintaining semantic; decreased creativity and ability to learn. At the same time, the total amount of knowledge, common sense, and vocabulary change little. Many secondary changes in the body are associated with primary changes in the central nervous system.
The endocrine system suffers significantly. The secretory function of the thyroid, pancreas, sex glands, adrenal cortex decreases, their hypothalamic ~ pituitary regulation is disturbed, as well as the relationship in the pituitary-adrenal system, which, apparently, is associated with a decrease in resistance to stress factors; atrophic and sclerotic changes in the endocrine glands develop. From the moment of puberty, the size and functional activity of the thymus gland steadily decrease, its structure changes, in particular, the number of lymphocytes decreases, especially in the cortex of the organ. All this significantly affects the function of the immune system. Along with this, adaptive reactions are also revealed - an increase in the sensitivity of a number of endocrine glands to the action of tropic hormones of the pituitary gland, as well as target tissues to the action of hormones, a decrease in the content of the bound form of a number of hormones while maintaining the amount of free, etc.
Changes in the immune system are characterized by the development of immune deficiency, which is manifested in a decrease in the response to foreign antigens. In addition, immune reactions against self antigens appear - autoimmunity, leading to damage by immune complexes of cells and tissues.
The limitation of the adaptive capacity of an aging organism is largely due to changes in the cardiovascular system. After 60 years, the weight of the heart decreases, its rhythm is disturbed, the minute and stroke volume of the heart, the cardiac index, and the duration of the phases of the cardiac cycle decrease. The ECG shows signs of myocardial hypoxia, conduction disturbances; the heart is less capable of hypertrophy; the total peripheral resistance increases, blood pressure rises, the number of functioning capillaries decreases, "baldness fields" (areas devoid of capillaries) are formed. Reflex reactions of the cardiovascular system are more inert, humoral - protracted; adrenergic and cholinergic nervous control weakens, changes in blood pressure become stagnant, which contributes to the development of arterial hypertension.
With age, the amount of lipids and lipid-like compounds, cholesterol in the blood is disturbed. The amount of lipids of low and very low density (atherogenic) is growing; the amount of high-density lipoproteins and cholesterol (antiatherogenic) decreases. The coefficient of atherogenicity increases. All these factors contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. The adaptive capabilities of the respiratory system also decrease, the rhythm of breathing becomes more frequent and disrupted, the vital capacity of the lungs, the reserves of inhalation and exhalation, ventilation decrease, the diffusion capacity of the lungs decreases, the Hering-Breuer reflex weakens; respiratory hypoxia develops.
Changes in the digestive system are manifested in a decrease in the secretion of all digestive juices, impaired motor activity, peristalsis is weakened, senile constipation occurs; the detoxification function of the liver, the evacuation-motor function of the gallbladder decreases.
Weakening of function is also observed in other systems. The excretory and excretory functions of the kidneys, renal plasma and blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, tubular reabsorption, and electrolytes decrease; the limits of adaptability of the excretory system are narrowed.
The regenerative capacity of the hematopoietic organs worsens; the function of analyzers decreases, muscle strength, osteoporosis, osteochondrosis develops.
Significant changes occur in all components of the connective tissue; the content of structural glycoproteins and proteoglycans decreases; sclerotic changes develop in all organs.
All vital organs begin to lose some function with age. Age-related changes have been found in all cells of the body, tissues and organs, and these changes affect the functioning of all body systems.
Living tissue is made up of cells. There are many different types of cells, but they all have the same structure. Tissues are layers of similar cells that perform a specific function. Various kinds of groups of tissues are formed into organs.
There are four main types of fabrics:
Connective tissue, it supports other tissues and binds them together. It includes bones, blood, and lymphatic tissues in addition to the tissues that give support and structure to the skin and internal organs.
Epithelial tissue provides coverage on the deeper layers of the body. Skin and surface of various passages within the body from epithelial tissue.
Muscle tissue is made up of three types of tissue:
Striated muscles, such as those that move the skeleton. Smooth muscles, such as the muscles that surround the stomach and other internal organs.
The heart muscle, which makes up most of the heart muscle. Nerve tissues are made up of nerve cells (neurons) and are used to carry messages from different parts of the body. The brain is made up of nervous tissue.
Cells are the basic building blocks of tissues. All cells experience changes with age. They become larger and less able to divide and reproduce. Among other changes, an increase in pigments and fatty acids within the cell (lipids). Many cells lose their ability to perform their functions, or they begin to function incorrectly.
As we age, waste products accumulate in tissues. The fatty brown pigment lipofuscin is collected in many tissues, like other fatty substances.
The connective tissue undergoes changes, becoming more and more rigid. This makes the organs, blood vessels, airways less elastic. Changes in cell membranes also occur, so many tissues have problems getting oxygen and nutrients, getting rid of carbon dioxide and waste.
Many tissues lose mass. This process is called atrophy. Some tissues become nodular or stiffer.
The most significant changes occur in the heart, lungs and kidneys.
These changes appear slowly and over a long period of time. When the organs are working to the limit of their capabilities, it cannot increase its functions. Sudden heart failure or other problems can develop when the body is working harder than usual.
Factors that create an additional burden on the body:
Some medicines
- Disease
- Significant life changes
- Increased physical activity
-Sudden change in activities
- Climbing to great heights
With caution, you need to take various medications in adulthood, because. there is a high risk of side effects from their use on the part of other organs.
The side effects of treatment can mimic the symptoms of many diseases, so it is easy to be mistaken about the reaction of the drug to the disease. Some drugs have completely different side effects in older people than in younger people.
Cell aging theory
Nobody knows how and why people change as they get older. Some theories claim that aging is due to accumulated UV damage, wear and tear, side effects of metabolic products, and so on. Other theories of body aging suggest a genetically controlled process. However, no single theory provides a sufficiently convincing explanation for the changes that occur with aging.
Aging is a complex and varied process that affects different people and even different organs in different ways. Most gerontologists (people who study aging) believe that aging is a cumulative effect of the interaction of many life-time factors. These factors include heredity, environmental influences, cultural influences, diet, physical activity and rest, past illnesses, and many other factors.
Unlike changes in adolescence, which are predictable to within a few years, each person ages differently. Some systems begin to age as early as 30 years old. Other aging processes occur much later. Although some changes tend to occur with age, they occur at different rates and to varying degrees. There is no reliable way to predict, in particular, how you will change with age.
Atrophy
Cells shrink. If a sufficient number of cells decrease in size, this indicates organ atrophy. This is often a normal age-related change that can occur in any tissue. It is most common in skeletal muscle, heart, brain, and secondary sex organs (eg breasts).
The cause of the atrophy is unknown, but the following are likely: reduced exercise, reduced blood supply and cell nutrition, and reduced nerve and hormone stimulation.
Hypertrophy
The cells are enlarged. This increase in size is due to an increase in cellular proteins, such as the cell wall and internal structures of the cell, rather than an increase in cell fluid.
When some cells atrophy, others may hypertrophy in an attempt to compensate for the loss of cell mass.
Hyperplasia
The number of cells is increasing. There is an increase in the rate of cell division.
Hyperplasia usually occurs in an attempt to compensate for cell loss. This allows some organs and tissues to retain the ability to regenerate, including the skin, intestinal mucosa, liver and bone marrow. The liver is especially well regenerated. It can replace up to 70% of its structure within 2 weeks of injury.
Other tissues have a limited ability to regenerate, such as bone, cartilage, and smooth muscle (such as the muscles around the intestines).
There are tissues that rarely or never regenerate, including nerves, skeletal muscles, heart muscle, and the lens of the eye. When damaged, these tissues are replaced by scar tissue.
Dysplasia
The size, shape, or organization of mature cells becomes abnormal. This is also called atypical hyperplasia. Dysplasia is quite common in the cells of the cervix and the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.
Neoplasia
The formation of tumors, such as cancerous (malignant) or benign (benign).
Tumor cells often reproduce very quickly. They may have unusual shapes and impaired functions.
Life in a big city is exhausting. Improper nutrition, polluted air, daily stress - destroy health and beauty. We spend money on going to salons, drinking vitamins and sweating in the gym. But we still inevitably get old. Many people ask questions: is it possible to increase life expectancy? How to prolong youth, overcome age-related changes and protect the body from wear and tear?
background
Every person wants to live as long as possible. Modern scientists confirm: it is real to increase the life span. But it was not always so:
Only in the middle of the 20th century did the average life expectancy (ALS) begin to increase sharply. During this period, medicine, science, and the economy are rapidly developing. Living conditions have reached a high level. Now the average life expectancy in Russia has reached a historical peak - 71 years.
Ranking of life expectancy in the countries of the world in 2018
Life expectancy among different peoples even today varies greatly. The fact is explained by the peculiarities of the geographical location and national secrets. Consider the average life expectancy of the countries of the world in the table:
| Place in the ranking | The country | ALE, years | The secret of longevity |
| 5 | Spain | 82 | Warm climate, sports, proper nutrition. The diet includes seafood vegetables and fruits. |
| 4 | Australia | 82,5 | Positive thinking, active lifestyle, adherence to daily routine and nutrition. |
| 3 | Singapore | 83 | Stable climate, environmental protection, health control, peace of mind. |
| 2 | Switzerland | 83,2 | Healthy lifestyle, high life status, balance between work and leisure. |
| 1 | Japan | 83,7 | Devotion to family values, traditions, culture, as well as an ecological and balanced diet. |
Scientists have proven that the key to a long life is proper nutrition, sports, love for loved ones, and the absence of stressful situations. With the modern rhythm, the main thing is to stay in harmony with the world and yourself. It is important to be attentive to your health and respond to the signals of the body.
Great scientific discoveries of mankind
For many years, scientists around the world have been working hard on the issue of extending human life. Some inventions have saved millions of people:
The achievements of modern medicine have saved mankind from a number of dangerous diseases. But now people are faced with new problems that old age brings.
How to fight aging
Lived years affect the human body and internal systems. The aging process of the body smoothly starts at the age of 30 years. Biological metamorphoses slow down normal functioning. Blood circulation, metabolism, tissue tone are disturbed. That's what happens to the body inside.
A heart
It is believed that this body ages one of the first. Cholesterol plaques appear in the vessels, as a result of which hypertension develops. With age, the main motor literally swims with fat. The walls of the body thicken. Therefore, less blood is pumped for the same size.
Until the 19th century, cardiovascular diseases were treated with bloodletting. Taking a large amount of blood temporarily lowered the pressure. In the 21st century, scientists have proven that you can prolong the youth of the heart if you eat 6 times a day. It is recommended to eat in small portions to distribute the load on the body. This regimen reduces the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases by a third.
The longer a person in his life is engaged in physical education, the slower the heart wears out. This fact should be taken as the basis for the fight against early aging.
kidneys
The organ is considered the main filter of blood in the human body. Regulation deteriorates over the years. The ability of the kidneys to actively remove toxins is reduced. As a result, the filtration volume is reduced by 2 times.
Even 100 years ago, patients with kidney diseases were referred for treatment with mineral waters. Most therapy did not help. In our time, it has been proven that blood pressure control helps to maintain the health of organs. Regular monitoring of indicators helps to detect kidney disease in the early stages.
Simple exercises at home will help strengthen the walls of the organ, as well as reduce the load. Exercises to improve the kidneys will take no more than 10 minutes a day.
Watch the video: How to treat kidneys: three exercises
Lungs
With the advent of old age, the lung tissue loses its elasticity. This leads to a decrease in oxygen supply. Due to the shortage, the volume of the lungs is gradually reduced. Inhalation becomes shallow, and the airways narrow.
In the 19th century, doctors prescribed fish oil and walks in the mountains for patients with consumption. Modern scientists say that the youth of the lungs can be preserved if you monitor the content of magnesium in the body. The easiest way: eat seeds, nuts, legumes. Products are rich in essential trace elements.
A 50-year-old smoker looks significantly older than a 50-year-old non-smoker. The lungs also wear out faster, we just don't see it.
Stomach
Age-related changes cause atrophy of the digestive tract. Due to the lack of enzymes, food is digested worse. The absorption of essential nutrients is impaired. Failures affect the entire body.
200 years ago, they tried to cure the stomach with the help of wine and pepper. And only in the 80s of the XX century, scientists found out that many diseases are caused by infections. As a result, they were cured with antibiotics.
The best prevention of gastrointestinal diseases is: a balanced diet, the absence of bad habits, emotional comfort. And regular visits to doctors will help to identify the disease in a timely manner.
Immunity
The older a person becomes, the worse internal systems work. Including immunity. Protective cells and T-lymphocytes form a special organ - the thymus. It is located in the upper part of the chest. As we age, tissue is replaced by fat cells. Therefore, the defense system does not cope with infections.
But you can restore strong immunity. The thymus recovers well on a low-calorie diet. Scientists believe that regeneration occurs due to the hunger hormone - ghrelin. Therefore, the easiest way to increase the body's defenses is to simply eat less.
It has been scientifically proven that mental stress and positive emotions strengthen the immune system. So train your brain with puzzles and smile more!
The rate of organ aging is influenced by genes and a person's lifestyle. We cannot change heredity yet. Therefore, the only way to prolong youth is to reconsider the way of life. You need to move more, eat right and train your brain. In addition, an active life position is considered the best anti-wrinkle remedy.
Age-related changes in the face and body
With the right clothes and professional cosmetics, you can look younger. However, the main signs of approaching old age are not easy to hide.
Here's what happens to a person over the years:
With age, not only the face changes, but also the figure. If a person does not play sports, after 30 years he loses about 10% of muscle mass. Its place is occupied by adipose tissue. With the same weight, the body becomes more loose and flabby. In addition, the distribution of fat in the body changes. If in youth it gives the body a sexual roundness, then over the years it moves to the waist, shoulders and back. In addition, after 30 metabolism slows down. Approximately 10% every 10 years. Therefore, with the same eating habits, people gradually gain weight.
Not only pronounced wrinkles, but also other biological changes can give out age. We learn how the female and male body changes throughout life.
Aging of the body of women and men
It is a known fact that the fair sex ages faster. However, statistics show that women often live longer than their men. The explanation lies in the biological age of the weak half of humanity. For example, indicators of the condition of the organs of women at 45 years old are often higher than those of men of the same age. After all, girls from their youth are more attentive to their health.
Useful articles:
Age-related changes in women after 25 years
By the age of 25–30, the first visible changes appear. Main problems: dry skin, loss of elasticity, fine mimic wrinkles and dull complexion.
What to do? Moisturize the skin. Choose creams containing azulene, panthenol or allantoin, as well as vitamins A, B, D, E.
Age-related changes in women and men
Age-related changes in men after 25 years
25-year-old men have other problems: bald patches appear, and the removal of fluid from the body also slows down. This can lead to swelling.
What to do? To slow down the aging process, you need to improve the blood supply to the scalp tissues with the help of massage. It is also important to review the diet.
Age-related changes in women after 35 years
At this age, physiological changes become visible to the naked eye. Main problems: deep wrinkles, gray complexion, the appearance of age spots and spider veins.
What to do? Wash with ice water. Cold strengthens the walls of blood vessels, improves blood microcirculation, restores skin elasticity and freshness.
Benefits of washing with cold water Age-related changes in men after 35 years
In men, the main signs of aging are: dry skin, wrinkles, metabolic and circulatory disorders.
What to do? It's time to put aside prejudice and start using a moisturizing face cream. It is also important to give up fast food forever.
Age-related changes in women after 45 years
During this period, women are still active, but fundamental changes occur in the body. At the age of 46-55, menopause occurs, causing hormonal changes. Main problems: reduction of adipose tissue on the face and sagging skin.
What to do? Avoiding tanning and facial massage will help slow down aging. It is important to balance the diet with essential minerals.
What foods to include in the diet
Age-related changes in men after 45 years
What to do? Protect yourself from the sun, and also include foods rich in calcium, iodine, zinc, iron, and omega acids in your diet. Minerals affect the production of melanin in the body.
From 50 years old malfunctions of the functioning of internal organs begin: endocrine, digestive, cardiovascular, reproductive systems. By the age of 60 after hormonal changes, the skin loses its tone: it becomes loose, wrinkled, swelling and bags under the eyes appear.
Body aging is an inevitable process. But it can and should be slowed down. Moisturize your skin, massage, wash your face with cold water, avoid sunburn.
The whole world has been captured by the fashion for beautiful aging. Over the past 20 years, Johnny Depp has developed deep wrinkles. Now they are even considered sexy. The age of Brad Pitt betrays the dryness of the skin and the swollen oval of the face, which he masks with a beard. Age-related changes of Angelina Jolie - drooping eyebrows and facial wrinkles.
Age changes of celebrities
Visually, women age more slowly than men. This is also due to the fact that girls take better care of themselves and lead a more correct lifestyle. So women: let's take care of our men to live together happily ever after.
People want to keep vivacity and beauty as long as possible. Now knowledge about the youth of the body is not secret. Trust doctors and take care of the state of internal systems. After all, a healthy mind is only in a healthy body. So pay close attention to your body's signals. And remember, prevention of aging is the best way to prolong youth. .