Physiological Characteristics of Individuals, Age 45 +

What are the physiological characteristics of individuals, age 45 +?

Physiological characteristic changes that are results of life events, illnesses, genetics and social life.

(1) What is the status of the physiological organ systems?

* As aging persists the organs show signs of deterioration

(2) What systems are showing signs of deterioration?

* Skin

* Sign of wrinkles and frail skin texture

* Kidneys

* Glomeruli , capillaries that carry blood through the kidneys, decrease from 1,000,000 to 700,000 from the ages of 30 to 90.

* Bladder

* Bladder deterioration has been is observed in the decrease of the capacity from 500 to 600 ml to 250 to 600 ml.

* liver

* The liver decreases in size by 20% by the age of 50.

* Cardiac output

* decreases by 1 % per year after the age of 30.

* An 80 year olds output is half of a 20 year olds.

* Infections (immune system)

* As aging persists the immune system decreases and individuals begin to be more susceptible to: bacterial infections, viral infections... Pneumonia is a large cause of death in the elderly.

* Metabolism

* Metabolism rates drop as individuals become older. More so in men than women. Weight gain is most susceptible to the elderly due to the intake of food not decreasing as they age.

(3) What systems are showing signs of improvement?

* Lung volume

* Lung volume increase between the ages of 20 to 60 by 15%.

* Hypertension (an increase, not really an improvement)

* 16% of the adult population is hypertensive, 50% of that is over 65 years of age.

* Not many improvements come with the aging human body..

* Eating right and exercise can help the longevity of the body if done properly.