Physiologic

Changes

Cherry Joyce G. Basco, RN, LPT

1. What is Physiologic
Changes?

2. Examples of physiologic
changes as we age.
THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
 EXPECTED AGE-RELATED CHANGES

 Skin damage such as tears, maceration, infection

 Rashes
 Melanocytes activity declines
 Crow feet (wrinkles)
 Dry skin
 Hair color changes
 Finger nails grow slowly, thicker but brittle
 Sweat glands function decreases
THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
 EXPECTED AGE-RELATED CHANGES
 Decalcification
 Kyphosis
 Loss of flexibility and joint mobility
 Connective tissues tend to lose elasticity
 Decrease muscle tone and mass
 Decreased blood supply to muscles
THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
 EXPECTED AGE-RELATED CHANGES
 Decreased in elastic recoil of the lungs
 Decreased mucous membranes in the nose and cilia
 Decreased vocal cord elasticity
 Decreased number of capillaries
 Decreased muscle strength and endurance
THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
 EXPECTED AGE-RELATED CHANGES
 Decreased cardiac muscle tone
 Decreased cardiac output
 Increased atherosclerosis
 Decreased elasticity of heart muscle and blood vessels
THE HEMATOPOIETIC AND LYMPHATIC SYSTEMS
 EXPECTED AGE-RELATED CHANGES
 Increased plasma viscosity
 Decreased red blood cell production
 Increased immature T-cells response
THE GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM

 EXPECTED AGE-RELATED CHANGES

 Increased dental caries and tooth loss
 Decreased thirst perception
 Decreased gag reflex
 Decreased muscle tone at sphincters
 Decreased gastric motility and peristalsis
THE URINARY SYSTEM

 EXPECTED AGE-RELATED CHANGES

 Decreased number of functional nephrons
 Decreased blood supply
 Delayed or decreased perception of need to void
 Increased nocturnal urine production
 Urinary retention
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

 EXPECTED AGE-RELATED CHANGES

 Brain shrinkage
 Decreased number of brain cells
 Decreased number of nerve fibers
 Decreased cerebral blood flow
 Decreased amounts of neuroreceptors
THE SPECIAL SENSES
EYES EARS
 Decreased number of eyelashes  Atrophy of vestibular structures
and in the inner ear
 Decreased tear production
 Decreased tissue elasticity
 Increased discoloration of lens
 Decreased tissue elasticity

TASTE AND SMELL

 Decreased number of papillae on
tongue
 Decreased number of nasal
sensory
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
 EXPECTED AGE-RELATED CHANGES
 Decreased pituitary secretions (growth hormone)
 Decreased insulin production or increased insulin resistance
 Decreased production of parathyroid hormone
THE REPRODUCTIVE AND
GENITOURINARY SYSTEMS
 EXPECTED AGE-RELATED CHANGES
 FEMALE:
 Decreased estrogen levels
 Decreased tissue elasticity
 Increased vaginal alkalinity
 MALE:
 Decreased testosterone levels
 Decreased circulation