Psychosocial Consideration old leads us to propose that the changes typical of aging occur from three perspectives:
- Biological Changes: All organizational changes that affect their physical and age-related.
- Psychic Changes: Changes in behavior, self-perception, conflict, values and beliefs.
- Social Change: Studies the role of elder in the community.
The involution characterized by a decrease in the number of active cells, altered molecular and cellular operators that affects the whole organism, but its progression is not uniform.
1 .- Changes phones:
From the macroscopic point of view there is a decrease in the volume of tissue and microscopically observed delay in differentiation and cell growth leading to the decreasing number of cells.
There is also a decrease in intracellular water. And there is an increase in adipose tissue (there is a decrease of superficial adipose tissue and increased deep fat.
2 .- Aging Skin:
The aging from the functional point of view produces: Impaired cutaneous permeability, reduction of inflammatory skin reactions, decreased immune response, impaired wound healing because of decreased vascularity, loss of tissue elasticity , decreased sensory perception and decreased production of vitamin D, pallor and decreased growth rate.
From a structural point of view: In the epidermis there are variations in the size, shape and properties of basal cells, melanocytes and decreased Langerhans cells and flattening of the dermoepidermal junction. In the dermis there is a reduction in thickness, vascularity and degeneration of elastin fibers. In the subcutis there is a decrease in the number and atrophy of the sweat glands.
3 .- The graying of hair:
There is a decrease in the rate of hair growth, appear gray melanima the loss of the hair follicle. Frontotemporal hair loss (androgenic alopecia) in men. Diffuse alopecia may also occur due to iron deficiency, or hypothyroidism. There is an increase of facial hair in women, especially if you have fair skin, and men in the ears, eyebrows and nostrils.
4 .- Aging nails:
Growth continues, tend to be harder, thicker and more difficult to cut. Stretch marks may appear alteration of the nail matrix.
5 .- Aging Bone
There is a loss of bone mass by bone demineralization, women often lose 25% and men 12%, this process is called primary senile osteoporosis, occurs because of the lack of movement, poor absorption or inadequate intake of calcium, and loss of endocrine disorders. This facilitates the fractures in the elderly.
There is a decrease in size, caudasdo by narrowing of the vertebral discs. Dorsal kyphosis appears to alter the static chest.
In the lower limb joints have wear points and moving the triangle body lift, this encourages the appearance of calluses and disturbs the balance, body alignment and gait.
6 .- Aging Muscle
The loss of strength is the main cause of aging, there is a decrease in muscle mass, but not appreciated by the increase in interstitial fluid and adipose tissue. There is a decreased activity, muscle tension and muscle relaxation period is greater than that of contraction.
Aging articulate:
The joint surfaces over time and deteriorate the joint surfaces in contact, you have the pain, crepitus and limitation of movement. In the joint space there is less water and cartilage tissue. other form of joint degeneration is the steady growth of the edges of the joint, resulting in deformities and nerve understanding.
Aging of the cardiovascular system:
Changes in cardiovascular structure:
The heart may develop atrophy, may be moderate or significant decreases in weight and volume. There is also a moderate increase in left ventricular wall and is within the normal range in healthy individuals, only exaggerated in hypertensive individuals.
The left atrial size increases with age. The fibrous tissue grows, some myocytes are replaced by this tissue. There is also an increase in myocyte size.
The walls of the arteries become stiffer and the aorta dilates and stretches, this is not attributable to ateroescleroso process may be due to changes in quantity and nature of elastin and collagen and calcium deposition. Valve stiffness occur due to thickening and loss of elacticidad. Substances are also deposited in the vessel walls leading to sclerosis and a decrease in the vascular network.
Changes in Cardiovascular Function:
There is slowing of initial diastolic filling is attributed to structural changes in left ventricular myocardium, can be fourth heart sound called atrial gallop. Altered hemodynamics is not due to aortic insufficiency of the bellows, but the increase peripheral resistance caused by the degeneration and reduction of the vascular network, causing an increased frequency in terms of pace, strength and increased blood pressure.
Also, the hemodynamic imbalance manifested by the decrease in venous pressure and speed of movement.
Cardiac output is reduced and recovery time after an effort increases.
There are few changes in the composition of the blood, appear only small alterations in the number of red cells, also the differential response to infection and inflammation is reduced.
Tags: aging process, biological changes
