|
ORGAN OR SYSTEM |
NATURAL
EFFECTS OF AGING |
 |
ACCELERATING FACTORS |
|
Skin |
Loses
thickness and elasticity (wrinkles appear)
Bruises more easily as blood vessels near surface weaken |
Process
accelerated by
smoking or excessive exposure to sun |
|
Brain /Nervous System |
Loses some
capacity for memorization and learning as cells die
Becomes slower to respond to stimuli
(reflexes dull) |
Process
accelerated by
overuse of alcohol and other
drugs, repeated blows to the head |
|
Senses |
Become less
sharp with loss of nerve cells |
Process
accelerated by
smoking, repeated exposure to loud noise |
|
Lungs |
Become less efficient as elasticity decreases |
Process
accelerated by
smoking, poor air quality, insufficient exercise |
|
Heart |
Pumps less
efficiently, making exercise more difficult |
Process
accelerated by
overuse of alcohol and tobacco,
poor eating habits |
|
Circulation |
Worsens, and
blood pressure rises, as arteries harden |
Process
accelerated by injury,
obesity |
|
Joints |
Lose mobility
(knee, hip) and deteriorate from constant wear and pressure
(disappearance of cartilage between vertebrae results in old age
"shrinking") |
Process
accelerated by injury,
obesity |
|
Muscles |
Lose bulk and
strength |
Process
accelerated by insufficient exercise, starvation |
|
Liver |
Filters toxins
from blood less efficiently |
Process
accelerated by
alcohol abuse, viral infection |
