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The older adult, Common age related changes: less acute taste…

- - - - Hypertension: this is a result of increased salt intake which results in volume expansion. Also, the RAAS becomes impaired and the sympathetic nervous system becomes increased. These changes lead to an increase in total peripheral resistance and increased afterload. Risk factors include diabetes, unhealthy diet, physically inactive, and tobacco use.
        Congestive heart failure:a complication of arteriosclerotic heart disease, followed by hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiomyopathy. It can't pump blood as efficiently as it should because of the blockage. This causes fluid buildup in the feet, arms, lungs, and other organs. Signs and symptoms include crackles on auscultation, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, edema, and dyspnea on exertion.
- - - - Asthma: an intermittent disease with reversible airflow obstruction and wheezing due to a variety of stimulants. These stimulates can include airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander or particles of cockroach waste. Signs and symptoms include shortness of breathe, wheezing, and chest tightness.
        **Emphysema: chronic lung condition in which the air sacs (alveoli) may be destroyed, narrowed, collapsed, stretched, or overinflated. This condition reduces gas exchange surface area and increases air trapping. Signs and symptoms include pink puffer, barrel chest, and wheezing upon auscultation.
- - - - Diabetes mellitus: elevated body glucose levels caused by abnormalities in insulin secretion or insulin action. With diabetes, one body isn't producing enough insulin which results in too much blood sugar in one's bloodstream. Signs and symptoms include frequent urination, thirst, and extreme hunger.
        Hypothyroidism: inactivity of the thyroid gland which results in a deficiency of T3 and T4. This makes one's metabolism slow down. This inactivity can make an individual feel tired, gain weight, and unable to tolerate cold temperatures.
- - - - Common age related changes:
        
        decreased hormone levels
        
        vaginal epithelium thins
        
        uterus and ovaries decrease in size
        
        atrophy of the testes
        
        enlargement of the prostate gland
        
        Atrophic vaginitis: This disease occurs in postmenopausal women. The increase vaginal fragility leads to the increase risk of infection leading to vaginitis. Signs and symptoms include vaginal burning, dryness, frequent urination, and vaginal discharge.
        Erectile dysfunction: common type of male sexual dysfunction. It is when a man has trouble getting or keeping an erection. Some causes include heart disease, clogged vessel, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
- - - - Parkinson's disease: affects ability of the central nervous system (CNS) to control body movements. It is a result of the gradual loss of cells in the substantia nigra of the brain which responsible of the production of dopamine. This disease is characterized by tremors at rest, increased muscle (rigidity), and bradykinesia.
        Seizure: a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. Seizures start with the excitation of susceptible cerebral neurons, which leads to synchronous discharges of progressively larger groups of connected neurons. Causes include abnormal levels of sodium or glucose in the blood, brain infection, and drug abuse.
- - - - Rheumatoid arthritis: This is when the immune system doesn’t work properly and attacks the lining of the joints, called the synovium.This results in inflammation and pain in one's joints. It most commonly effects one's fingers, knees, and ankles. Signs and symptoms include joint pain, joint stiffness, joint swelling, and dry eyes.
        Carpal tunnel syndrome: occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The function of the median nerve is to provides sensory and motor functions to the thumb and 3 middle fingers. When compressed, signs and symptoms include weakness in hands, numbness, tingling, and sharp pain feeling.
- - - - BPH: : prostate gland enlargement that can cause urination difficulty. As the lumen of the prostatic urethra narrows and lengthens, urine outflow is progressively obstructed. It can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms, such as blocking the flow of urine out of the bladder. It can also cause urinary tract or kidney problems. Signs and symptoms include frequent urination, difficulty starting urination, and weak urine stream.
        Glomerulonephritis: : inflammation of the tiny filters in the kidneys (glomeruli) which means the kidneys have a hard time removing waste and fluid from one's body. This is caused by toxins, viral infections, and bacterial infections. Signs and symptoms include blood or protein in the urine, high blood pressure, fatigue, and decreased urine output.
- - - - Eczema:a condition that causes dry, itchy and inflamed skin. Common causes of this condition include irritants such as soaps, environmental factors, allergens, and pollen.
        Affected areas may be red (light skin) or darker brown, purple, or ash gray (brown skin).
        Pruritus : An uncomfortable, irritating sensation that creates an urge to scratch that can involve any part of the body. It's common in older adults, as skin tends to become drier with age. Causes include skin conditions, internal disease, and nerve disorders. Signs and symptoms include redness, scratch marks, bumps, and dry skin.
- - - - Common age related changes:
        
        decreased immune response
        
        risk for infection becomes significant
        
        inflammatory defenses decline
        
        cell mediated immunity declines
        
        Lupus: an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own tissues, causing widespread inflammation and tissue damage in the affected organs. It mainly attacks skin and joints. Signs and symptoms of lupus include fatigue, fever, and joint pain.
        Multiple sclerosis: occurs when the immune system attacks nerve fibers and myelin sheathing (a fatty substance which surrounds/insulates healthy nerve fibers) in the brain and spinal cord.
        This causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body Signs and symptoms include numbness, tingling, vision problems, and muscle spasms.