Summary
Aging is the time-related progressive functional decline that affects all organ systems. It is believed to be caused by the accumulation of DNA damage, hormonal changes, and internally programmed cellular changes. Effects of aging include stiffening of the arteries and calcification of valves (cardiovascular system), osteoporosis and increased risk of fracture (musculoskeletal system), decreased chest wall compliance and increased ventilation-perfusion mismatch (respiratory system), susceptibility to recurrent infections and malignancies (immune system), and decline in cognitive function and changes in sleep patterns (nervous system).
Effects of aging
All cells are subject to the natural processes of aging. Aging is believed to be caused by the accumulation of DNA damage, hormonal changes, and internally programmed cellular changes. Aging affects all organ systems and leads to progressive functional decline.
Aging changes in the bones, muscles, and joints
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Increased bone resorption and osteoporosis, increased risk of fracture (♀ > ♂)
- Postmenopausal osteoporosis: decreased estrogen levels → increased bone resorption
- Senile osteoporosis; (especially in individuals > 70 years): decreased osteoblast activity → decreased osteoid production
- Decreased lean body mass due to atrophy and loss of muscle cells (sarcopenia)
- Degenerative changes in joints: stiffer and less flexible joints, decreased synovial fluid and cartilage, calcification (e.g., in the shoulder), height loss
Regular exercise and a diet rich in protein, vitamin D, creatine, and omega-3 fatty acids are essential to ensure muscle growth and help prevent sarcopenia!
Aging changes in the skin
There is an increased incidence of:
- Noncancerous skin growths such as:
- Cancerous growths such as basal cell cancer and squamous cell carcinoma
- Skin tags, warts, liver spots, solar lentigo
- Hyperpigmented macules due to cutaneous deposition of lipofuscin (typically in the face and dorsum of hand)
- Xerosis cutis and pruritus due to decreased lipid and sebum synthesis and increased moisture loss
- Heatstroke due to decreased number of sweat glands
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Wrinkles due to:
- Decreased elastin synthesis → increased skin laxity and rigidity
- Decreased collagen synthesis → atrophy of the dermis → wrinkle formation and decreased strength → increased risk of skin damage (e.g., decubitus and bruises)
- Increased crosslinking of elastin and collagen → skin stiffness and decreased elastic recoil (elastosis) [1]
- Decreased glycosaminoglycan (including hyaluronic acid) synthesis → decreased dermal moisture retention → decreased dermal volume
- Decreased subdermal fat → skin sagging and risk of hypothermia
Aging changes in the nails and hair
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Nails
- Become more brittle and may become yellowed
- Toenails may become thicker
- Ingrown toenails and onychomycosis are more common
- Hair: graying, baldness (see “Male pattern hair loss” and “Female pattern hair loss”)
Aging changes in the cardiovascular system
- Vascular sclerosis and stiffness→ increased systolic blood pressure
- Left ventricular hypertrophy and progressive stiffening with a 10% increase in wall size
- Mitral and aortic valve thickening and calcification
- Marked decline in stress-induced and exercise-induced maximal heart rate due to decreased response to the action of catecholamines
- Lipofuscin deposits in cardiac muscle
Aging changes in the respiratory system [2]
| Bodily changes | Consequences | |
|---|---|---|
| Weaker chest wall muscles |
|
|
| Calcification of costochondral junctions | ||
| Osteoporosis-induced kyphosis | ||
| Decreased elastin in pulmonary parenchyma |
| |
| Weakened baroreceptor/chemoreceptor response |
| |
| Weakened respiratory muscles |
| |
| Weakened immune system |
| |
Aging changes in the genitourinary system
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Kidneys
- Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR), diffuse sclerosis of glomeruli
- Decreased renal mass and replacement of parenchyma by fat and fibrosis, predominantly in the renal cortex → decreased maximal concentrating ability
- Decreased number of nephrons
- Decreased acid load excretion
-
Urinary and sexual
- Increased urinary frequency and urgency
- Increased risk of urinary tract infection
- Decrease in libido (typically more pronounced in women than men)
- Women
-
Postmenopausal estrogen deficiency leading to:
- Vaginal atrophy, dryness, and irritation
- Increased risk of yeast infections and other UTIs
- Possibly dyspareunia
- Decreased tone of pelvic floor muscles → prolapse of vagina, uterus, or bladder
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Postmenopausal estrogen deficiency leading to:
- Men
- Testicular atrophy
- Enlarged prostate gland
- Slowed urination, erection, and ejaculation
- Increased refractory period
Aging changes in the immune system [3][4][5][6][7][8]
- Impaired immune response and regulation of inflammation predispose individuals to recurrent infection, impaired wound healing, malignancy, and autoimmune disease.
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Decreased antibody and cell-mediated immune responses to a new antigen
- A decline in the counts of most subsets of B cells and T cells (exception: memory T-cell and memory B-cell counts increase)
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Decreased affinity of antibodies for new antigens
- Decrease in the variety of B-cell receptors for antigens
- Increase in the proportion of monoclonal cell lines
- Impaired affinity maturation and impaired V(D)J recombination
- Total immunoglobulin level remains the same.
- Macrophage and neutrophil counts do not decrease but they are less effective in their functions (e.g., phagocytosis).
- Increased number of NK cells, PGE2, and increased autoantibody production
Among the elderly, a decreased immune response leads to an increased need for booster vaccinations.
Aging changes in the endocrine system
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Decreasing hormones
- Calcitonin, growth hormone, renin, aldosterone, melatonin (loss of normal circadian rhythms)
- Estrogen and prolactin in women (e.g., contributes to breast atrophy)
- Testosterone gradually decreases in men.
- Increasing hormones: FSH, LH, norepinephrine, parathyroid hormone (contributes to osteoporosis)
Aging changes in the nervous system [9]
- Hearing impairments: presbycusis
- Visual impairments
- Presbyopia
- Decline of depth perception, contrast, and visual fields
- Decline of vertical gaze and convergence [10]
- Decreased sense of smell and taste
- Reduced ability to detect vibration, touch, temperature, and pressure changes (increased risk of pressure ulcers, hypothermia, and burns)
- Decreased/absent deep tendon reflexes (e.g., ankle jerk reflex)
- Decline in balance and gait stability (e.g., slow speed, reduced tandem gait ability)
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Lower-extremity weakness
- Delay in the onset of muscle activation due to a greater contraction of antagonistic muscles
- Decline in the ability to develop joint torque using lower extremity muscles (e.g., compromised balance recovery during a postural disturbance)
- Decline in physical function due to increased muscle tone, decreased muscle mass and increased muscle adiposity
- Decreased cerebral blood flow and brain volume
- Fluid intelligence declines, whereas crystallized intelligence increases
- Altered sleep patterns in the elderly: early morning awakening, later sleep onset, decreased REM, and decreased slow-wave sleep
- After the 6th decade of life
- Decline in executive function, working memory, processing speed, and attention span
- In most cases, no clinically significant impairment in social and occupational functioning
- Increased suicide risk in case of physical and mental illnesses (particularly depression), functional impairment, and stressful life events (e.g., loss of a partner)
Falls in elderly individuals
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Identification of risk factors: The risk for falls in elderly individuals is often multifactorial.
- Age-related factors; (e.g., visual impairment, lower-extremity weakness, peripheral neuropathy)
- Underlying medical conditions and associated medications; (e.g., orthostatic hypotension, benzodiazepines, antidepressants)
- Environmental factors (e.g., floor surface, adequate lighting, furniture location)
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Individual risk assessment: Individuals who have fallen or with gait and balance deficits should undergo a risk assessment.
- Past medical history; (e.g., history of previous falls, circumstances of the falls, current medication)
- Physical examination including postural vital signs, visual acuity, cognitive, neurological, musculoskeletal, and hearing function tests
- Postural stability tests
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Timed Up and Go test
- The individual is asked to get up from a chair, walk a certain distance, turn around, walk back, and sit down again.
- Used to assess musculoskeletal function and postural stability in a patient who has fallen.
- Performance-oriented mobility assessment
- Evaluates an individual's balance abilities in a chair, standing, and dynamic balance during gait (e.g., gait initiation, step continuity and path deviation when asked to walk, trunk position, ability to maintain balance when someone slightly pulls on the individual)
- Used to assess balance and gait
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Timed Up and Go test
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Preventive measures
- Minimize the number of medications that may contribute to falls (See “Beers criteria” for details).
- Physical therapy
- Elimination of potential hazards in the individual's home environment