Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Reduced cardiac output and stroke volume, Increased rigidity and thickness of heart
particularly during increased activity or valves (decreased filling/emptying abilities);
unusual demands; result in shortness of
breath on exertion and pooling of blood in
the extremities
Reduced elasticity and increased rigidity Increased calcium deposits in the muscular
arteries layer
Increase in diastolic and systolic blood Inelasticity of systemic arteries and increased
pressure peripheral resistance
Orthostatic hypertension Reduced sensitivity of the blood pressure-
regulating baroreceptors
NEUROMUSCULAR SYSTEM
Decreased speed and power of skeletal muscle Decreased elasticity and ciliary activity
contractions
Joint stiffness Drying and loss of elasticity in joint cartilage
Impaired balance Decreased muscle strength, reaction time and
coordination , change in center of gravity
Loss of bone mass Bone reabsorption outpaces bone reformation
Slowed reaction time Diminished conduction speed of nerve fibers and
decreased muscle tone
Loss of height (stature) Fewer cells in cerebral cortex
SENSORY/PERCEPTUAL
Decreased sense of taste, especially the Decreased number of taste buds in the tongue because of
sweet sensations at the tip of the tongue the tongue atrophy
Decreased sense of smell Atrophy of the olfactory bulb at the base of the brain
Increased threshold for sensations of pain, Possible nerve conduction and neuron changes
touch and temperature
SENSORY/PERCEPTUAL
Arcus
Senilis
GASTROINTESTINAL
And IMMUNOLOGIC
Delayed swallowing time Alterations in the swallowing mechanism
Increased tendency for indigestion Gradual decrease in digestive enzymes, reduction in
gastric acid production, and slower absorption rate
Increased tendency for constipation Decreased muscle tone of the intestines; decreased
peristalsis; decreased free body fluid
Decreased immune response; lowered resistance Less responsive T cells to antigens; B cells produce
to infections fewer antibodies
Poor response to immunization
Decreased stress response
URINARY
And GENITALS
Delayed swallowing time Alterations in the swallowing mechanism
Reduced filtering ability of the kidney and impaired Decreased number of functioning nephrons
renal function
Less effective concentration of urine Decreased tubular function
Urinary urgency and frequency Enlarged prostate gland in men; weakened muscles
supporting the bladder