Aging: Thermoregulation And The Immune System

Changes due to the aging process also need to be addressed. Calcium reabsorption increases especially in women after the menopause, this decreases bone density. Lean tissue decreases as fat increases with age; there is also a decline in the percentage of body water meaning that body temperature is more difficult to control. Thirst decline and decreased renal function means that older people can become dehydrated (Copeman 1999). The function of the bowel reduces, meaning that the elderly are more susceptible to indigestion and constipation. The risk of constipation is also increased with Parkinson’s disease (Parkinson’s UK 2011). The final consideration is the deterioration of the sensory system. Taste, smell, vison, pain and touch all decline meaning that food may not be as appealing (Copeman 1999).

* Pneumonia: Pneumonia is the fifth highest killer of older adults, especially during the winter months of flu season. At high risk are seniors with chronic disease such as diabetes heart disease and reparatory conditions. The flu and pneumonia shot are recommended for all adults over the age 55 to help prevent this killer.

6. Loss of subcutaneous tissue can reduce the ability of older adults to regulate body temperature, leading to

As we age, our brain and nervous system go through natural changes. An aging adult may experience memory loss, decreased touch sensation, change in the perception of pain, change in sleep pattern, decreased coordination and increased risk for infection (Ignatavicius, 2013, p. 912) .

Blood circulation is vital to the body and may also contribute to the pathology. Aging associated with changes in microcirculation and structure of the vascular endothelium (Tommy et al., 2011) decrease in vascular endothelial functions (Burton et al., 2011), and a decrease in exercise-induced blood flow which is partly resulted from an age-related reduction in vasodilation capacity. (Degens, 1998).

Society and medical care professionals are inundated with diseases that may have caused death 100 years ago or even 50 years ago. Advancements in science and technology is prolonging life expectancy for people. The National Institute of Aging focuses on health illness for the aging population and how research and studies can provide better quality of life for the extended years of life. The organization is sphere headed by two offices and division that are designed to address specific areas of the aging population. The offices work the divisions to help guide their focus for the he crucial research.

metabolism, anxiety and stress. In the elderly, the efficiency of heat regulation is reduced by the physiological changes of aging, including loss of fat, decreased sweat gland activity, reduced metabolism, and poor vasomotor control. Financial status and environmental conditions experienced by the elderly may also affect diet, activity, and ability to control the external temperature. The normal aging process can cause changes in the elderly patients are respiratory function.

Because the immune system slows down with age, seniors are at higher risk for illness and disease, and they often recover at a slower pace if they do get sick or injured. Sometimes, the body's immune system may even become disoriented and start to attack itself. This is known as an autoimmune disorder. Some common autoimmune disorders include Celiac disease, Graves disease, Multiple Sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.

o Older adults and immunocompromised patients may have fewer or milder symptoms o Some newborns and infants may not have any signs of infection

Elderly people physically slow down and have lower energy levels. There are changes in the body systems and organs that can usually result in all types of

The age-related reduction of metabolism, the termination of growth and development processes and reduction of cellular self-renewal cause the most typical syndrome of aging – age-related dystrophy of organs and tissues. It is accompanied by a decrease in muscle strength, decrease of organ parenchymal functions, thinning of mucous membranes and skin, atrophy of glands, hair follicles and many other manifestations. Atrophy of capillaries causes reduction of tissue nutrition, age-related hypoxia and sclerosis.

As spring and summer start to roll around, that means the weather is going to start getting hotter. For seniors, excessive heat can be deadly. The elderly are generally more sensitive to extreme heat than their younger counterparts. Here are a few precautions to keep in mind as you work as a caregiver to seniors in order to help them stay safe and avoid complications such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

The process of thermoregulation helps the body maintain by when it changes temperature ,thermoregulation helps the body do certain things to keep a certain temperature so that you can survive like if it’s hot outside your body sweats so that you can stay at a temperature that your body can handle, and almost the same when it’s cold ,certain pores in your skin which helps keeps most of your core body heat that keep you warm ish, also when it gets cold thermoregulation makes your muscles shake to heat y

As individuals age changes occur physiologically that are part of normal aging. These changes occur in all organ systems and can impact an individual’s quality of life. The changes related to aging can be attributed to an individual’s genetic make up, lifestyle, physical activity, and dietary lifestyle. Being able to differentiate between normal changes in aging against disease process is important because it can help clinicians develop a plan of care (Boltz, Capezuti, Fulmer, & Zwicker, 2012). Creating an accurate plan of care for older adults will greatly impact their quality of life.

Pawlec et al defines immunosenescence as the decrease in immune function due to age-related changes involving various cells: decrease in function, alteration in natural and adaptive immune system, or the imbalance between both factors. (89) Decrease in immune system function contributes to the susceptibility of the elderly population to the infection, latent viral reactivation, and the decrease in the effectiveness of vaccination.89,90