Title: Effects of aging on skeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory
systems
16 March 2016
Learning question: can you describe effects on these three body
systems?
Homework: You have your class test next week – study!
Learning Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
(f) describe the effects of ageing on the skeletal system, with reference to
osteoarthritis and osteoporosis;
(g) outline methods of preventing osteoporosis (reference should be made
to calcium, vitamin D, HRT and exercise) (HSW6a,7c);
(h) describe the use of bone density tests in the detection of osteoporosis;
(i) describe the effects of ageing on the cardiovascular and respiratory
systems;
Effects of aging on the skeletal system
• Bone mass starts to reduce
between the age of 30 and
40 years.
• Osteoblast (cells that make
bone) activity declines but
osteoclast (bone cell that
resorbs bone tissue)
activity continues at
normal levels
• Bones break more easily
and do not repair well
Effects of aging on the skeletal system
• Vertebrae may collapse leading to
“Dowager’s hump”
• Intervertebral discs shrink – compressed
discs and loss of bone mass lead to
decrease in body height
• Incidence of osteoarthritis increases
• Osteoporosis – bones affected are less
dense than normal bone so fracture are
more likely
Osteoarthritis (OA)
• Becomes more common with increasing age
• Most cases develop in over 50s – at least 50% of over 65s gave
sine degree of OA
• 1 in 10 over 65s have a major disability linked to OA (mainly
hip and knee)
• Causes pain, stiffness and limitations to movement of joints.
Stiffness usually worse in the morning but tends to “loosen
up”
Osteoarthritis (OA)
• Water content of cartilage increases with age, and glycoprotein make-up
of cartilage decreases
• Repetitive use of joints over time causes irritation, inflaming joints and
causes swelling.
• Cartilage begins to degenerate by flaking and tiny crevasses form
• Advanced cases: total loss of cartilage cushion between bones – loss of
joint mobility
• Inflamed cartilage can also lead to new bone growth called spurs that
form around joints
– Hips, knees, fingers, thumb and lower spine are commonly affected joints
Why do some people develop OA?
• Evidence suggests that if joints are used earlier in life e.g.
sports, this may have an effect
– Knee joint OA is common
• Possible genetic link
– OA occasionally found in multiple members of families
• Hip and knee OA more likely to be more severe in obese
people
• Ethinc links to hip OA in white Europeans than African or
Asian populations
Treatment for OA
• Paracetamol
– Effective to manage pain, if taken regularly instead of when pain arises
• Anti-inflammatory painkillers
– Not used as often as paracetamol due to side effects, especially in
older people
– Can be taken for 1-2 weeks then return to paracetamol
• Hip and knee replacements
– Very successful and can restore mobility
Osteoporosis
• In childhood, bones grow and repair very quickly, but this
process slows as you get older.
• Bones stop growing in length between the ages of 16 and 18,
but continue to increase in density until you are in your late
20s.
• From about the age of 35, you gradually lose bone density.
This is a normal part of ageing, but for some people it can
lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures.
•
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Osteoporosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
How can osteoporosis be prevented?
• It is important to build up bone mass from childhood
onwards by:
– Drinking milk or eat milk-based products so have sufficient
calcium and vitamin D
– Exercise is good, particularly weight-bearing exercise
– Do not smoke and avoid excessive intake of alcohol
– Check home safety to prevent falls
– Post-menopausal women may need to replace oestrogen
by taking HRT
– Long-term use of some medications can lead to a loss of
bone density
How can osteoporosis be detected?
• “DEXA” scan – the best
method of detection, DEXA
scans use X-rays to
determine the density of
bone
• Ultrasound of the heel bone
is also used to determine
bone density. It uses cheaper
equipment, but is not yet
clear if it is accurate or
reliable as DEXA scanning
Respiratory system and aging
• Lungs become less elastic – less effective
• Rib cage may not move freely due to arthritis
• Overall reduction in chest movement, limiting respiratory volume
• Normally sufficient in healthy individuals, but becomes a problem if
infection sets in
• Severe respiratory disorders more common in elderly e.g. emphysema,
tuberculosis, pneumonia and bronchitis
• Pneumonia – often a complication of influenza; vaccination for ‘flu is
offered annually to patients aged 65 and over; pneumococcal vaccine is
also offered
Cardiovascular system and aging
• Cardiovascular diseases are major causes of death in the UK in
men over 45 years and women over 65 years of age
Cardiovascular system and aging
Organ
What happens?
Causing?
Result
Arteries
Artery walls become less
elastic. May show signs of
calcification.
Arterosclerosis –
hardening of the
arteries
Loss of elasticity and
lessened blood flow
Increase in blood
pressure
Fatty deposits, e.g.
cholesterol, in artery wall
Artherosclerosis
Normal blood flow
obstructed, shortage
of oxygen-carrying
blood at cells.
Could result in a stroke
Organ
Heart
What happens?
Causing?
Result
Exercise – cardiac output
reduces
Response of heart is slower
and less forcible
Cannot pump blood
efficiently
Circulation is slowed
Dizziness and loss of
balance
Coronary arteries narrow
Blood supply to
cardiac muscle is
restricted
Angina, myocardial
infarction (MI)
Hypertension – LV works
harder
Heart valves become
thickened and more rigid
Number of pacemaker cells
die
Ventricle may enlarge
and become weaker
Heart less able to alter
its rate
Exertion/sudden
movement –
decreases in CO
Murmurs
Sinoatrial node beats
more slowly
Questions
1. State 4 effects of aging on the skeletal system
2. Distinguish between osteoarthritis and osteoporosis
3. Why do people appear to shrink as they get older?
4. What can be done to help in the prevention of osteoporosis?
5. State two effects of aging on our respiratory system
6. Distinguish between arterosclerosis and artherosclerosis
7. What causes angina?