09 15 2014 Why Do We Age Biological Theories of Aging Physical Changes The Biology of Aging Primary aging unavoidable inevitable o Senescence Secondary aging experienced by most not all o Function of disease disuse abuse Why do we age Cellular Theories Hayflick limit most supported theory Cells can only divide so many times Cross linking o Proteins produce molecules that make the body stiffer o Not an adequate explanation Free radicals Unstable molecules o Damage protein fats lipids o Contributes to diseases Rate of Living Theories Wear Tear Theory Autoimmune Theory o Aging occurs because of the system wearing out over time o Immune system becomes defective with age Can aging be reversed or delayed Telomeres end of chromosomes o Telomeres shorten with age evidence Progeria o Developing treatment to prevent shortening of telomeres Growth Hormones replace depleted hormones Caloric restriction Anti aging compounds o Reducing calorie intake by 50 70 o Increased life expectancy delayed disease Can we predict longevity Heredity How long did your parents live Gender differences in live expectancy Why o Social factors health attitudes habits lifestyle and occupations o Biological factors resistance to infection Important Lifestyle Practices Do not smoke Moderate alcohol use Healthy diet regular exercise Social integration Changes in Physical Appearance Visible signs of aging o Skin changes wrinkles gray hair o Lose height gain weight Good news o Some can be modified Sensory Deficits with Age The Lesser Studied Senses Decreased sensitivity to o Smell o Taste to some extent o Pain More sensitive to temperature fluctuations Increased instability of posture gait Age Related Changes in Vision Presbyopia farsightedness o Problems adapting to the dark o Increased sensitivity to glare o Diminished depth perception Glaucoma o Hardening of the eyeball buildup of fluid in the eye o Untreated can destroy vision Macular degeneration o Deterioration of the retina o Leading cause of blindness in older adults Cataracts o Cloudy opaque areas in the lens of the eye that prevent light from passing through o Surgery can remove this problem Problems with Hearing in Later Life Hearing difficulties increase with age Greater for males than females Some corrected by hearing aides Implications for relationships Age Related changes in the cardiovascular system Age related structural changes o Accumulation of fat deposits o Stiffening of the heart muscle Decrease in ability to cope with physical exertion Still moderate exercise slows these age related changes Age related Changes in the Respiratory System Decrease in o Vital capacity amount of air we can take into lungs o Ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide Rate of decline slower when physically active Difficult to distinguish between normal aging effects of pollution Age Related Changes in the Reproductive System Women Menopause o Signals end of child bearing o Around 50 55 Symptoms hot flashes night sweats headaches mood changes Few women experience serious problems Wide individual differences Small samples For Men o DO NOT lose fathering abilities o DO experience decline in testosterone Changes in Sleep 40 of older people complain of sleep problems o Increased likelihood of insomnia o Takes longer to fall asleep o Fewer hours of slow wave sleep o Breathing disturbances more common Lifestyle changes to improve sleep Sex in later life Myth Age related physiological changes detrimentally affect sexual functioning May occur less often but still meaningful Old ideas from limited cross sectional studies o Desire for sexual activity DOES NOT diminish with age Older adults do not differ significantly in sexual activity compared to their younger selves Rate of sexual behavior is stable when a partner is available In recent years rates of STDs have increased in middle aged and older adults Aging is not a disease Multiple explanations for why we age Antiaging controversy Some changes inevitable with age but changes can often be modified Preventing Chronic Disease Living with Chronic Conditions How do we define health 09 15 2014 Good health State of complete physical mental and social well being Health status Presence absence of disease o Degree of disability Disability impairment in the ability to complete multiple daily tasks need for assistance with ADLs activities of daily living Disability ADL Limitations Disability related to o Lifestyle factors exercise smoking o Older age o Gender more likely for women o SES more common for lower SES o Race ethnicity more common for African Americans o Disability rates have declined managing chronic health Good News conditions Chronic Health Conditions More than 80 of those 70 and over have at least 1 chronic condition What are chronic health conditions o Long term more than 3 months o Often permanent may require long term management or care vs cure Chronic Conditions conditions Cardiovascular Disease Development course Rare in early adulthood more likely in midlife and most common in later life Comorbidity coexistence of 2 or more chronic or psychiatric Cardiovascular disease o Leading cause of death over age 65 Atherosclerosis coronary artery disease Myocardial infarction heart attack Hypertension high blood pressure o Increases risk of stroke and coronary heart disease o Higher among African Americans Hypotension low blood pressure Stroke portion of the brain is denied blood o Highest risk for African Americans and men before 75 o Higher risk for women after age 75 Measures to reduce cardiovascular disease risk Control weight Physical activity Manage diabetes Reduce intake of salt saturated fat and processed carbs 60 of new cancers 70 of cancer related deaths occur in people o Older women breast cancer o Older men prostate cancer For survivors cancer can be chronic vs life threatening in some Greater risk with age more difficult to diagnose in later life Cancer 65 cases Arthritis Second most common chronic disease Osteoarthritis gradual degeneration of the joints of the hands knees hips and shoulders o Most prevalent for women 85 Related to heredity and lifestyle factors o Obesity o Occupational stresses o Wear and tear on the joints Therapies anti inflammatory drugs exercise heat and cold surgery Osteoporosis Extreme form of bone loss More common for women small stature and low body weight Greatest bone loss during after menopause Related to o Deficiencies in calcium Symptoms health issues o Major cause of broken