Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Skeletal Conditions
Arham Shamsi
AGING THEORY
Age Related Decline in Viability and Increase in
Vulnerability. Its Reduction in your response to
External Stress and decline to function with age.
No one knows how and why people change as
they get older. Some theories claim that aging is
caused by injuries from ultraviolet light over
time, wear and tear on the body, or byproducts of
metabolism. Other theories view aging as a
predetermined process controlled by genes.
.
Modern biological theories of ageing in humans
currently fall into two main categories:
1. Programmed
2. Damage or error theories.
The Programmed theory
Atrophy:
Cells shrink. If enough cells decrease in size, the entire organ
atrophies. This is often a normal aging change and can occur
in any tissue. It is most common in skeletal muscle, the heart,
the brain, and the sex organs (such as the breasts). The cause
of atrophy is unknown, but may include reduced use,
decreased workload, decreased blood supply or nutrition to the
cells, and reduced stimulation by nerves or hormones.
Hypertrophy:
Cells enlarge. This is caused by an increase of proteins in the
cell membrane and cell structures, not an increase in the cell's
fluid. When some cells atrophy, others may hypertrophy to
make up for the loss of cell mass.
..
Hyperplasia: The number of cells increases.
There is an increased rate of cell division.
Hyperplasia usually occurs to compensate for a
loss of cells. It allows some organs and tissues to
regenerate, including the skin, lining of the
intestines, liver, and bone marrow. The liver is
especially good at regeneration. It can replace up
to 70% of its structure within 2 weeks after an
injury.
.
Dysplasia:
The size, shape, or organization of mature cells becomes
abnormal. This is also called atypical hyperplasia.
Dysplasia is fairly common in the cells of the cervix and
the lining of the respiratory tract.
Neoplasia:
The formation of tumors, either cancerous (malignant) or
noncancerous (benign).
Neoplastic cells often reproduce quickly. They may have
unusual shapes and abnormal function.
Changes in MusculoSkeletal System
As muscles age, they begin to shrink and lose mass. This is a natural
process, but a sedentary lifestyle can accelerate it.
The number and size of muscle fibers also decrease. Thus, it takes muscles
longer to respond in our 50s than they did in our 20s.
The water content of tendons, decreases as we age. This makes the tissues
stiffer and less able to tolerate stress.
Handgrip strength decreases, making it more difficult to accomplish routine
activities such as opening a jar or turning a key.
The heart muscle becomes less able to propel large quantities of blood
quickly to the body. We tire more quickly and take longer to recover.
The body's metabolic rate (how quickly the body converts food into
energy) slows. This can lead to obesity and an increase in "bad" cholesterol
levels.
Aging Bone
Throughout life, bones constantly change through a process of absorption and
formation called "remodeling." As we age, the balance between bone absorption
and bone formation changes, resulting in a loss of bone tissue.
The mineral content of bones decreases, so that bones become less dense and
more fragile.
As bones lose mass, osteoporosis develops, affecting both women and men. In
the spine, osteoporosis can lead to crush fractures of the vertebrae, resulting in a
"dowager's hump." Osteoporosis is also responsible for almost all hip fractures
in older men and women.
The chemistry of cartilage, which provides cushioning between bones, changes.
With less water content, the cartilage becomes more susceptible to stress. As
cartilage degenerates, arthritis can develop.
Ligaments, connective tissues between bones, become less elastic, reducing
flexibility.
Aging Joint
Joint motion becomes more restricted and
flexibility decreases with age because of changes
in tendons and ligaments.
As the cushioning cartilage begins to break
down from a lifetime of use, joints become
inflamed and arthritic.
Aging changes in hormone production
The endocrine system is made up of organs and tissues that produce
hormones. Hormones are natural chemicals produced in one location,
released into the bloodstream, then used by other target organs and
systems.
Hormones control the target organs. Some organ systems have their own
internal control systems along with, or instead of, hormones.
As we age, changes naturally occur in the way body systems are
controlled. Some target tissues become less sensitive to their controlling
hormone. The amount of hormones produced may also change.
Blood levels of some hormones increase, some decrease, and some are
unchanged. Hormones are also broken down (metabolized) more slowly.
Counteracting the Effects of Aging
Many of the changes in our musculoskeletal system result more from
disuse than from simple aging
Stretching is an excellent way to help maintain joint flexibility. Weight
training can increase muscle mass and strength, enabling people to
continue their daily routine activities without maximal exertion. Even
moderate amounts of physical activity can reduce your risk of
developing high blood pressure, heart disease, and some forms of
cancer.
Long-term regular exercises may slow the loss of muscle mass and
prevent age-associated increases in body fat. Exercise also helps
maintain the body's response time, as well as its ability to deliver and
use oxygen efficiently. Just 30 minutes of moderate activity,
incorporated into your daily routine, can provide health benefits.
.
An exercise program doesn't have to be strenuous to be
effective. Walking, square dancing, swimming, and
bicycling are all recommended activities for maintaining
fitness as we age.
The 30 minutes of moderate activity can be broken up
into shorter periods. For example, you might spend 15
minutes working in the garden in the morning and 15
minutes walking in the afternoon. It all adds up.
But if you have never attempted an exercise program
before, be sure to see your doctor before starting one now
Ergonomics
ERGO=“Work”
NOMICS=“Rules” or “Laws
Ergonomics =“The Laws of Work”
History
Bernardo Ramazzini the father of occupational medicine,
first introduced the common musculoskeletal disorders
that arose from eighteenth century occupations “The
Diseases of Workers”