Body Functions
Respiration
Respiration rates decrease
with age. In addition, lung capacity lessens because of the stiffening of the
muscles and the rib cage which control breathing. At 30 years of age, a man
can usually breathe in six quarts of air. By 70, a man can only breathe in
one-half that amount. More effort is needed to move air in and out of the
lungs, and more air is left in the lungs after exhaling.
Evidence shows that the
amount of oxygen-to-blood transfer also decreases with age. Less air and less
conversion of the oxygen to the bloodstream translates into a decrease in the
amount of work that can be performed. More far-reaching consequences can also
occur. If an older person experiences a significant decrease in the amount of
oxygen reaching the brain, symptoms of disorientation, confusion, memory loss,
insomnia, and irritability can occur.
The most debilitating
disease affecting an older person's respiration is emphysema. Emphysema,
caused by smoking or inhalation of industrial pollutants, occurs when the air
pockets in the lungs break down. Persons with advanced emphysema often require
continuous oxygen therapy.
Digestion
Few changes in the
digestion process can be linked directly to aging. Rather, changes tend to be
linked to improper eating and drinking. Nutrients still tend to be
well-absorbed and well-digested.
Older persons usually
consume fewer calories, which may have a negative connection to the amount of
nutrients necessary for good health. Basal metabolism (the rate at which the
resting body converts food into energy) slows down as one ages. Some evidence
suggests that the stomach produces less hydrochloric acid with which to digest
food. Poor-fitting dentures and a decrease in mouth saliva may make chewing
more difficult for the older adult, which in turn may lead to poor digestion.
Adequate nutrition may become an acute problem for older adults who have
incomes close to the poverty line. Poor nutrition can result when a person
cannot afford proper food. The older adult who has insufficient nutrients may
become vulnerable to a variety of diseases and may experience a reduction in
vigor.
Stress, depression, and
emotional upsets may affect an older adult's eating habits. The stomach may
become more sensitive to these emotional states.
References
Halpert, B.P., Ph.D.;
"Health Tips on Aging," May & December, 1985. Center on Aging
Studies, University of Missouri at Kansas City (Missouri).
Vickery, Donald, M.D., &
Fries, James, M. D., Take Care of Yourself: A Consumer's Guide to Medical
Care. Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Reading, MA, 1981.
Extracted from: Senior
Series Volume 1, The Center on Rural Elderly, University of Missouri System.
Ohio State University
Extension
Adapted by: Linnette Mizer Goard,
Extension Agent
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