The Effects of Aging - 2133 Words

Everyone, at some point or another, loses keys, misplaces a wallet, or forgets a name. It is a normal experience, but people who are middle-aged or older may be frightened about the onset of Alzheimers disease or another type of dementia. The American Psychological Association offers the assurance that Alzheimers is not a normal part of aging, occurring in fewer than one in five people over the age of sixty-five and less than half of those over eighty-five (Memory and aging, 2009). The research of Reese and Cherry (2006) supports the assertion that, for most people in middle age, forgetting is not serious. Nevertheless, changes take place in the brain as one ages with respect to learning and memory. The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the normal changes people can expect in mid- to late-life as well as some of the problems one can experience outside the normal effects of aging. The human brain reaches its maximum size during ones early twenties, then very slowly starts to decline in volume (Memory and aging, 2009). Over time, ones heart muscle becomes less efficient and has to work harder to pump the same amount of blood through the body (Mayo Clinic Health Information, 2011). It means the brain gets less blood and less oxygen, resulting in a decline in the number of neurons. The brain decreases in volume and, between the ages of twenty and ninety, loses five to ten percent of its weight. So-called neurofibriallary tangles, decayed portions of theShow MoreRelatedEffects Of Aging On Aging And Aging1343 Words   |  6 Pagesover time. The changes include physical, social and psychological changes. Causes of aging are very uncertain. Besides, there are several factors which predispose an individual to premature aging. Current theories suggest that this process occurs to due to cellular damage such as DNA oxidation by free radicals causing biological systems to fail. Internal processes such as DNA methylation may also result in aging. Predisposing factors such as space escapades, use of chemically intoxicated substancesRead MoreAging And Its Effects On The Aging1360 Words   |  6 Pagesover time. The changes include physical, social and psychological changes. Causes of aging are very uncertain. Besides, there are several factors which predispose an individual to premature aging. Current theories suggest that this process occurs to due to cellular damage such as DNA oxidation by free radicals causing biological systems to fail. Internal processes such as DNA methylation may also result in aging. Predisposing factors such as space escapades, use of chemically intoxicated substancesRead MoreEffects of Aging1096 Words   |  5 PagesThe Effects of Aging Krista Halverson September 4, 2010 Human Lifespan Development Barbara Kennedy The transformation that takes place throughout one’s life is inevitable. The growth and development of becoming an adult forces many body and mind changes. Physical appearance, mental capability and other issues all take place in our later adult years. All of these changes happen at different times for everyone. Nobody ages at the same rate. Aging is impossible to run away fromRead MoreEffects Of Aging On The Body Essay1600 Words   |  7 Pages Aging is the process of growing older, one communal progression that all individuals experience. Aging, as all know, causes numerous changes to the human body. One of the leading shifts the body undergoes is an overall decrease in muscle mass. This loss can result from either a sedentary lifestyle (secondary aging) or by following a natural body course (primary aging). By maintaining an active lifestyle, individuals are able to delay the effects of aging on the body. They are able to maintainRead MoreAging And Its Effects On Humans Essay1949 Words   |  8 Pages Aging is a not well comprehended process that results in a progressive decline of cells, tissues and organisms until death. Aging is inevitable and influenced by our genetic makeup and environmental factors. Even though it seems impossible to prevent aging, scientists have been studying how to slow down the aging process. Indirect evidence shows that several phytochemicals found in plants can have longevity effects in certain microorganism, although no quality evidence for anti-aging effects onRead MoreThe Effect Of Fructose On The Aging Process1291 Words   |  6 Pagesmolecules play a role in the aging process. The Maillard process is dependent on the reactivity of the sugar involved. Fructose is much more reactive than glucose. In vivo, the rate of non-enzymatic glycosylation of haemoglobin was 7.5 greater, and the rate of protein cross-linking (a marker of aging) was 10 times greater, in the presence of fructose than in the presence of glucose. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that fructose has a much greater implication in the aging process than glucose, takingRead MoreEffects of Aging on Cognitive Development898 Words   |  4 PagesEffects of Aging on Cognitive Development Daphney Walker PSYCH/640 May 5, 2014 Holly Berry Effects of Aging on Cognitive Development Aging is a natural process of life however, studies show that there are some age-related decline in cognitive development. As a person grows older some brain cell dies, shrink, or weaken and cause some decline in brain functions. Some cognitive processes include attention, working memory, long-term memory, perception, and executive control. The material willRead MoreEffects Of Aging On The Elderly Population888 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction Several aspects of aging can be debilitating for the elderly population, as they often include loneliness, general decline, and lack of social support (Anisman, 2014). The senior population, already at large, is projected to surpass that of other age groups and increase the burden on our health care system. Only a small proportion of individuals age successfully, with the majority experiencing a spectrum of cognitive impairments that can manifest into neurodegenerative disorders. ThisRead MoreThe Effect Of Aging On Neural Cells1425 Words   |  6 PagesThe Effect of Aging on Neural Cells Introduction: Neurogenesis is defined as the creation of new brain cells. Before studies proved that neural cells do have the capacity to proliferate and repair themselves, it was often believed that species are born with a distinct amount of neural cells and as time passes, these cells would die without the ability to be healed or replaced. It was thought that the cells were mainly formed during the embryonic and perinatal stages in the mammals (Ming and SongRead MoreEffects Of Obesity On Aging And Cognitive Health900 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction While aging appears to be an inevitable part of life, recent research would suggest otherwise. Many factors contribute to the rate at which we age and the severity at which our bodies begin to break down. Such factors include genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. All of these factors can have differing and ranging effects on health. Genetic predisposition is good to know but it doesn’t give an individual a lot of control. Environmental factors can only be controlled