Pathophysiology of Old Age Diseases

Question: Describe about the Pathophysiology of Old Age Diseases. Answer: Old age can be sometime s burden to individuals. This is because as the body gets older it becomes weaker and that becomes the origin of many health complications. Majority of these are as a result of peoples lifestyles. Among the world most common health problems associated with old age are Arthritis and Heart diseases .These have been identified as the top killers for people aged above 65 years (Roach, Bronner Oreffo, 2011). Pathophysiology has been defined as the changes that come as a result of a particular injury disease or health condition (Vlodaver, Wilson Garry, 2012). Arthritis is basically a joint disease; it leads to inflammation of the joints. Arthritis Pathophysiology of Rheumatoid Arthritis Damage to blood vessels This can create chronic inflammation of the pericardium membrane of the heart which can significantly damage blood vessels and possibly lead to heart attack, heart failure or even stroke. Inflammation of the heart can lead to fever and chest pains which affect the general functioning of the body (Clair, Pisetsky Haynes, 2004). Inflation of joints This is the most common symptom of Arthritis .People with Arthritis have inflamed feet and hands joints(Clair, Pisetsky Haynes, 2004) .These cause pain and swelling ,rigidity of the affected areas .This can affect shoulder joints, elbow joints, as well as knees and joints as well as knees and ankles. Weakening of bones and cartilage In advanced stages, bones and cartilages of the affected persons become weakened and destroyed (Clair, Pisetsky Haynes, 2004).This leads to weakening of tendons, ligaments and supporting muscles. The final outcome for this is total deformation of joints. Impact on individuals independence and lifestyle The impact of this is that it affects body mobility of the persons affected to a large extent making them less mobile thus leading to a sedentary lifestyle (Clair, Pisetsky Haynes, 2004). Such persons cannot be able to walk for long distances walk for long distances without complaining of pains. Additionally it limits the usage of their arms .Since arm joints are also affected these persons encounter difficulties even in stretching their arms which basically affects even performance of daily chores like washing or other minor chores (Clair, Pisetsky Haynes, 2004) . Heart diseases These are diseases that basically occur as a result of narrowing or blockage of blood vessels and have the potential of leading to Heart attack or stroke. Blockage of blood vessels affects the flow of blood sometimes leading to flow of inadequate blood to other parts of the body such as the brain (Vlodaver, Wilson Garry, 2012). Blockage of arteries One of the most common heart diseases called atherosclerosis leads to blockage of arteries because of building up of cholesterol plague in the arterial walls for prolonged periods (Vlodaver, Wilson Garry, 2012). Such blockage can reduce the amount of blood flowing through the arteries. Hindering proper functioning of Valves Valves basically perform the function of either allowing or restricting the flow of blood in and out of the heart by opening and closing when need be. They ensure that blood flows in one way without leaking backwards. Valvular heart disease affects the normal functioning of the valves , the valves may either open abnormally or fail to close properly leading to leaking of blood backwards(Vlodaver, Wilson Garry, 2012). Opening of the valve smaller than it normally should be makes it hard for the heart to pump blood trough it to other parts of the body. This may sometimes result to heart failure. Additionally if the valve allows leakage of blood backwards, the amount of blood reaching the other parts of the body is likely to be inadequate. This gives the heart a cumbersome task of trying to recover the deficit (Vlodaver, Wilson Garry, 2012). Consequently inadequate flow of blood can affect the functioning of the body by hindering the normal flow. Impact on individuals independence and Lifestyle Normally a heart disease hinders activities such as exercises which require flow of large amounts of blood. People with this disease cannot exercise for long because their hearts cannot allow pumping of the large volumes of blood that are necessary to transmit energy for exercise. This does not only affect exercises but also normal movements. Such people cannot cover long distances without getting too tired restricting them to almost a sedentary lifestyle (Vlodaver, Wilson Garry, 2012). Such people at times also cannot work for long which has the possibility of changing their lifestyles because of reduced income. References: Roach, H. I., Bronner, F., Oreffo, R. O. C. (2011). Epigenetic aspects of chronic diseases. London, Springer. https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/668190768 Clair, E. W., Pisetsky, D. S., Haynes, B. F. (2004). Rheumatoid arthritis. Hagerstown, Lippincott Williams Wilkins. https://www.worldcat.org/title/rheumatoid-arthritis/oclc/469367913#.WEGQqaN0-jg Vlodaver, Z., Wilson, R. F., Garry, D. J. (2012). Coronary heart disease: clinical, pathological, imaging, and molecular profiles. New York, Springer. https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/744297229