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Screen Shot 2021-09-10 at 1.55.03 PM, Changes of Aging - Coggle Diagram
Integumentary System
Normal Changes
Thin and fragile skin
Decreased ability to detect and regulate temperature d/t subQ tissue loss
Dry skin
Loss of elastin
Increase in vascular fragility
Pathologies
Basal cell carcinoma
This cancer typically appears as a white waxy lump or a brown scaly patch on sun-exposed areas, such as the face and neck.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Cancer caused by an uncontrolled growth of abnormal squamous cells.
Melanoma
Occurs when the pigment-producing cells that give color to the skin become cancerous. This is the most deadly type of skin cancer.
Respiratory System
Normal Changes
Calcification of costal cartilage, trachea, and rib cage
Increased residual capacity and reduced vital capacity
Reduced chest expansion
High risk for respiratory infection
Decrease in cilia
Decreased ability to clear mucus secretions
Decreased ability to cough and deep breathe
Pathologies
Pneumonia
An infection of one or both of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
Connection: Dysphagia can cause the patient to be at an increased risk of aspiration. If this results then the patient could potentially develop pneumonia as one possible complication.
COPD
A group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. It includes emphysema (alveoli damaged) and chronic bronchitis (bronchial tubes inflamed).
Connection: COPD can cause Right-sided HF (CHF) as low oxygen levels place excess strain on the heart leading to peripheral edema as the right side of the heart cannot pump blood through the lungs.
Tuberculosis
Potentially serious infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are spread from person to person through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes.
Nervous System
Normal Changes
Reduction in neurons, nerve fibers and cerebral blood flow
Hypothalamus less effective in temperature regulation
Decline in weight and blood flow to the brain
Slower response to change in balance
Changes in sleep patterns with frequent awakening
Number and sensitivity of sensory receptors, dermatomes, and
neurons decrease
Decline in the function of cranial nerves affecting taste and smell
Reflexes become weaker
Ability to compensate declines with age
Pathologies
Dementia
Progressive, irreversible loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Multiple sclerosis
An autoimmune disease that causes destruction of the myelin sheaths leading to possible vision loss, pain, and decreased coordination.
Connection: Multiple sclerosis can cause an imbalanced walk due to nerve degeneration. This can result in a fall, which can cause a fracture to result.
Delirium
Rapid, reversible altered level of consciousness.
Musculoskeletal System
Normal Changes
Thinning disks and shortened vertebrae
Reduced muscle mass, strength and movement
Diminished calcium absorption
Decreased bone mineral and mass
Increased risk of fractures
Pathologies
Osteoporosis
A condition in which bones become weak and brittle leading to an increased risk of fractures.
Connection: Cushing's Disease can lead to osteoporosis by increasing bone resorption and decreasing bone formation.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An autoimmune disease that can cause joint pain and damage throughout your body.
Fractures
A complete or partial break in a bone.
Causes of bone fractures include trauma, overuse, and diseases that weaken bones.
Urinary System
Normal Changes
Decline of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration
Reduced bladder capacity
Size and weight of the kidney decreases
Hypertrophy and thickening of the
bladder muscle
Nocturia
Inefficient neurological control of bladder emptying and weaker
bladder muscle
Increase in renal threshold for glucose
Pathologies
Urinary Tract Infection
An infection in any part of the urinary system, the kidneys, bladder, or urethra.
Connection: An older adult can develop delirium from a urinary tract infection.
Bladder cancer
Resultts from irritations and causes dysuria, frequency, urgency, and bleeding.
Glomerulonephritis
Results from a number of disorders that are all characterized by glomerular injury accompanied by inflammation causing edema, proteinuria, and hematuria.
Chronic Kidney Disease
The kidneys are damaged overtime and can't filter as they should causing waste to build up in the body.
Reproductive System
Normal Changes
Men
Sex organs atrophy
Decreased testosterone production
Ejaculation fluid contains less live sperm
Enlargement of the prostate gland
Seminal vesicles develop thinner epithelium
Atrophy of the testes and reduction in
testicular mass
Women
Sex organs atrophy
Decreased estrogen and progesterone production
Alkaline vaginal pH
Vaginal epithelium thins
Cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes atrophy
Less lubrication
Loss of subcutaneous fat and tissue
Breasts sag and are less firm
Pathologies
Prostate cancer in men
Cancer of the prostate gland that causes difficulty with urination, but sometimes there are no symptoms at all.
Ovarian cancer in women
Cancer of the ovaries that often goes unnoticed early on and later shows unspecific symptoms.
Vaginitis in women
Inflammation of the vagina that can result in discharge, itching and pain.
Gastrointestinal System
Normal Changes
Atrophy of intestines
More indigestion and aspirations risk
Decreased elasticity of the stomach and higher pH
Difficulties absorbing iron, dextrose, calcium, folic acid, and vitamins B/B12 and D.
Less acute taste sensations
Increased risk of constipation
Atrophy of the tongue affects taste
buds and decreases taste sensation
Esophageal and stomach motility decreases
Reduced food and fluid intake
Pathologies
Xerostomia
Decreased saliva from some medications, Sjögren’s syndrome, mouth breathing, and altered cognition.
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing that may be d/t GERD, stroke, and structural changes.
GERD
Stomach acid comes into the esophagus, changing the tissue cells, causing irritation, and potentially leading to esophageal cancer.
Hiatal hernia
The diaphragm opening is expanded and the stomach pulls up into the chest cavity causing discomfort, belching, and heartburn.
Cardiovascular System
Normal Changes
Reduced contractions and efficiency
Increased diastolic murmurs and reduced vessel elasticity
Heart valves become thickened and more rigid
Aorta becomes dilated with slight ventricular hypertrophy
Heart muscle loses efficiency and contractile
strength
Blood vessels reduce elasticity
Oxygen used less efficiently
Less sensitive to baroreceptor regulation of blood pressure
Increased peripheral resistance
Pathologies
Atherosclerosis/arteriosclerosis
Build-up of plaque in the arteries
Connection: Atherosclerosis can cause Chronic Kidney Disease because it can cause reduced blood supply to the kidneys, impairing the kidney's ability to filter wastes.
Congestive heart failure
A complication of arteriosclerotic heart disease, followed by hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, cardiomyopathy, sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, illicit drugs, sedentary lifestyle, and psychological stress.
May be Left sided, causing issues with pulmonary congestion, or Right sided, cause issues with peripheral edema.
Varicose veins
Dilated, tortuous veins caused by faulty venous valves.
Endocrine System
Normal changes
Decreased estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone production
Thyroid gland atrophies and decreases activity
Decreased adrenal function and ACTH decreases
Insufficient insulin release and reduced tissue sensitivity to circulating insulin
Pathologies
Hypothyroidism
A common condition where the thyroid doesn't create and release enough thyroid hormone into the bloodstream. This makes the metabolism slow down.
Cushing's Disease
A condition that occurs from exposure to high cortisol levels for a long time d/t adrenal gland dysfunction.
Addison's disease
A disorder in which the adrenal glands don't produce enough hormones, like cortisol and aldosterone.
Changes of Aging
