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Physical changes of the elderly - Coggle Diagram
Physical changes of the elderly
Respiratory system
Chest: the thoracic cage is more rigid due to increased muscle resulting in poor ventilation and increased chest infections.
Caugh mechanism : less effective due to rigidity and decreased ciliary function.
Lung capacity : it is altered due to reduced elasticity of lung tissue resulting in poor lung expansion.
Ventilation : the size and number of alveoli decreases and oxyhaemoglobin saturation is reduced.
Cardiovascular system
Heart valves become Thicker and more rigid, increased irritability of myocardium makes the heart more susceptible to factors resulting in arrhythmias.
Blood vessels: reduced elasticity and increased calcium and plaque formation occurs.
Blood pressure: increases as a result of reduced cardiac function, increased peripheral resistance.
Gastrointestinal system
Mouth: teeth become more brittle and loose with gums receding a where teeth has been lost.
Taste: reduction in taste buds and decreased salivary production alters food taste and therefore food intake and nutrition.
GIT: impaired muscular functioning results in decreased peristalsis and risk of aspiration and p
Intestines: reduced peristalsis and altered diet and mobility may result in constipation and formation of diverticulitis.
Liver:this decreases in size and function affecting the ability to mobilise and excrete.
Genitourinary system
Kidneys : size and functioning are significantly reduced, glomerular function rate decreases resulting in decreased excretory effeciency.
Bladder:capacity may decrease or become irritable resulting in incontinence.
Prostate :benign hypertrophy begins in older man,resulting in altered pattern micturition.
Pelvic floor :reduced hormone levels and less effective musculature result in poor support of uterus and bladder resulting in incontinence of both urine and feaces.
Reproductive organs
Men:hormone levels are reduced and sperm, libido is unchanged but responses may be slower and erection difficult to sustain.
Female: hormone production (oestrogen) is significantly reduced resulting in atrophy of the vagina
Neurological system
Brain:slight decrease in size and reduced blood flow results in the inability to regenerate neurons and fatty deposits and tangle develops.
Peripheral nerves:deep tendon reflexes decrease with slowing reaction times affecting blood pressure control .
Neurotransmitters : they are altered resulting in an increase in potential for deppresive conditions.
Endocrine system
Structural glands : structural changes in pituitary thyroid and adrenal glands results in decreased hormone production.
Pancreas : insulin intake and its effectiveness is impaired although production is not changed.
Muscular system
Bone: bone loss due to absorption of calcium hormonal changes and increased reabsorption rate, osteoporosis occurs and fractures.
Muscles:muscle cells lost are not replaced and atrophy occurs
Cartilage:they become eroded and sinovial membranes become friable, wear and tear on joints.
Sensory system
Vision :presbyopia occurs due to increased rigidity of the eye
Hearing:presbycusis and tone discrimination is impaired due to atrophy and sclerosis of the tempanic membranes
Immune system
Less effective due to reduction in T cell production and decrease into natural antibodies.