Aging - Why?
Time waits for no man. Right? But why? This question can be approached from a number of angles, from a religious one to a philosophical one to a scientific one. Le's leave the religion and philosophy parts aside. Why do we age? Do we have to?
Aging and the Cardiovascular System
Your cardiovascular system consists of your heart and vessels the function of heart is to pump blood into your body and your lungs. In lungs, blood gets oxygenated and returns into your heart, which then pumps this blood, carrying oxygen, into your other organs.
What changes occur in heart and vessels as we age?
What changes occur in heart and vessels as we age?
Aging and the Pulmonary System
Your pulmonary system, i.e your lungs and airways, is located in your chest and surrounded by muscles, which are necessary for your breathing, and by bones, which protect your lungs and provide a scaffold to which your muscles are attached. Your lungs are protected by the immune system from infection. Aging affects all these components of your body.
Aging and the Gastrointestinal System
Your gastrointestinal system consists of your intestines and other organs, which include liver and pancreas. Overall, the aging process itself does not appear to have a large impact on this system, although cumulative changes due to an unhealthy lifestyle and diet obviously do have a negative effect.
Aging and Kidneys
Kidneys are a part of your urinary system, which includes the bladder, ureters and urethra (see the picture). These latter parts of the urinary system are discussed under the tab entitled "Genitourinary".
Aging and the Nervous System
As we age, the nervous system loses cells. In addition, the remaining cells also accumulate the pigment lipofuscin. In addition, nerve cells accumulate waste products and DNA damage.
Aging and Brain
The changes that occur in brain as we change can be divided into two areas: First, structural changes and second, chemical changes. The chemical changes are quite possibly a consequence of the structural changes. In addition, as we age, we may suffer from certain diseases, which includes Azheimer's and Parkinson's.
Aging and Muscles
As people change, musles atrophy. This means they lose muscle cells, which are replaced by fibrous and/or fat tissue. Muscle also accumulate a pigment called lipofuscin.
Aging and Joints and Bones
Bones are connected by joints, and aging changes occur both in bones and joints. Bones may develop osteoporosis, which means they lose calcium and some other minerals and their density decreases. this occurs particularly in women, due to hormonal changes post menopause.
Aging and Skin and Hair
Changes in skin are the most visible changes associated with aging. In general, the changes in skin are caused in changes in two fibers that are contained in skin: collagen and elastin. Elastin gives the sking its elasticity and flexibility and collagen provides its firmness. As we age, elastin becomes less springy and the collagen production diminishes. In addition, skin daily sheds dead cells, and this pocess slows down.
Aging and the Genitourinary System
Aging is associated with changes in the urinary bladder. The function of the urinary bladder is to storre urine and the expulsion of urine at an appropriate time. Studies demonstrated that the bladder capacity declines with age, the urinary flow rate diminishes and so does the urinary pressure. The postvoid urine volume in the bladder increases. On the other hand, the detrusor muscle, which should remain relaxed to allow the bladder to store urine, becomes overactive. All these changes may result in urinary incontinence.
Cultural and Historical Aspects of Aging
Each society or culture appears to develop an attitude toward aging. This is only natural, given that we all become old and it is inconceivable to imagine a functioning community without its older members. When we develop our views of aging, it is often assumed that our views will be distinct depending on culture or history. this subject has been extensively studied and interesting patterns emerged.
Prevention
First, it is important to note that there is NO DRUG that is approved by FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for use in humans to prevent or reverse aging.
Research on Aging
Research on aging can and is be performed in vitro, on cells, tissues, or in vivo on laboratory animals. The animals include worms and mammals (mice and rats). It is always questionable how much is possible to extend the conclusions from animal experiments to humans.
