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Physiological Changes

The document outlines several physiological changes that occur with aging across multiple body systems. The immune system shows a sluggish T cell response and reduced white blood cell reserve. Sensory functions like taste buds, vision, hearing, pain sensitivity and motor skills decline. The cardiovascular system exhibits increased arrhythmias, lowered maximal heart rate and blood pressure, reduced circulation time and tissue perfusion. Body composition shifts to less lean muscle, more fat and lower skin function. The central nervous and renal systems demonstrate reduced neuronal density, reflexes, filtration and clearance. Respiratory capacity, compliance and response deteriorate. Gastrointestinal absorption, emptying and motility are impaired. Metabolic and endocrine functions like thyroid activity and insulin sensitivity decrease.

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Jilian McGugan
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2K views

Physiological Changes

The document outlines several physiological changes that occur with aging across multiple body systems. The immune system shows a sluggish T cell response and reduced white blood cell reserve. Sensory functions like taste buds, vision, hearing, pain sensitivity and motor skills decline. The cardiovascular system exhibits increased arrhythmias, lowered maximal heart rate and blood pressure, reduced circulation time and tissue perfusion. Body composition shifts to less lean muscle, more fat and lower skin function. The central nervous and renal systems demonstrate reduced neuronal density, reflexes, filtration and clearance. Respiratory capacity, compliance and response deteriorate. Gastrointestinal absorption, emptying and motility are impaired. Metabolic and endocrine functions like thyroid activity and insulin sensitivity decrease.

Uploaded by

Jilian McGugan
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Physiological Aging Changes

IMMUNE
neurohumoral response white blood cell reserve (secondary to bone marrow/splenic sclerosis) Sluggish T cell response

SENSORY
salivation taste buds for sweet & salty: most tastes are bitter / sour visual acuity sensitivity to sound response to pain thirst sensation motor skills Changes in dentition

CARDIOVASCULAR
myocardial irritability dysrhythmias, e.g. PVCs/PACs A/V blocks maximal heart rate sinus rate arterial compliance systolic blood pressure cardiac output circulation time cutaneous/tissue perfusion

BODY COMPOSITION
lean muscle mass subcutaneous fat overall body fat sweat glands skin pigmentation serum protein binding

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM


neuronal density reflexes sympathetic response proprioception barorecptor response (postural hypotension)

RENAL
bladder capacity renal blood flow glomerular filtration renal clearance of drugs & metabolites

RESPIRATORY
tidal volume vital capacity residual volume lung capacity compliance response to hypoxemia/hypercapnia

GASTROINTESTINAL
gastrointestinal absorption gastric emptying hepatic blood flow / drug clearance drug absorption motility transit time

METABOLIC
basal metabolic rate risk for hypothermia temperature regulation response

ENDOCRINE
or thyroid function Hypo/hyperthyroidism insulin sensitivity

ORTHOPEDIC
Sources: Graf, C. (2006).Functional decline in hospitalized older adults. ANJ, 106(1), 58-67; Mick, DJ, Ackerman, MH. (2004). Critical care nursing for older adults: pathophysiological and functional considerations. Nurs Clin N Am, 39, 473-493; Watters, JM. (2002). Surgery in the elderly. Journal canadien de chirurgie, 45(2), 104-108.
Osteopenia risk of fractures range of motion ligamentous stiffness

Delirium in the Older Person: A Medical Emergency. (2006). VIHA. Physiological Aging Changes.v3 08.07; 01.09

www.viha.ca/mhas/resources/delirium/

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