The aging process called gerontology
Introduction
Aging is a vital, natural, sequential, cumulative and irreversible process that causes the modification and deterioration of the organism. It is a non -pathological process, but the passage of time acts by decreasing the level of competence of the organism against the pressure, demands and stress of the environment, and therefore, it becomes more vulnerable, increasing the probabilities of morbidity and mortality of theliving beings.(Abades Porcel, M., & Rayón Valpuest, E).
Gerontology is the science of old age, which studies the biopsychosocial phenomena of human aging from a multidisciplinary perspective. The development of science takes place in the second half of the twentieth century related to the aging process that is taking place in the population. (Hernandis, Pinazo).
Characteristics of aging, it is an individual process cannot be discussed of uniformity, each organism develops, evolves and ages in a different way from others .In the same living being, each organ and each device, ages at different rhythm.
It is a dynamic process, is linked to the different phases of life and is directly related to the interaction that is established between the organism, the environment and a series of determining factors that surround the person. The diversity of study objects and the multiplicity of approach needs in the person, involve the methodological and knowledge heterogeneity that guarantee the increase in the quality of life of the person, (Fernández-Mayolalas, G., Pérez, f. R., Garcia, a. A., & Rodríguez, V. R.).
Gerontology encompasses the following basic, biological or gerontobiology knowledge area of science responsible for investigating both the biological changes and phenomena that occur in the organism and the ethiopathogenesis, which is related to chronological age and the passage of time. The objective of the research has a preventive goal (of pharmacological, hygienic, dietary, psychological, ecological, etc.), which seeks to contribute to the extension of the years of life in the best possible quality conditions. (I Mercader, F. X. A. ).
Psychological or gerontopsychology or gerontopsychiatry The psychological perspective constitutes the area of science in charge of studying cognitive, emotional and behavioral changes and phenomena that occur in the person, related to the passing of the years. It can be distinguished between psycho-gerontology or geronto-psychiatry, depending on whether approaching the characteristic aspects of old age is psychological or psychiatric. Cognitive, refers to processes such as learning, reasoning, attention, memory, problem solving, (Pérez, L., Lopez, J., Oropeza, r., & Colunga Rodriguez, C. AND. C. Yo. L. Yo. A.).
Social or gerontosociology is the social perspective that constitutes the area of science in charge of the study of population aging, social structure, changes related to acquisition, maintenance or loss of social roles in the person associated with the passage of timeand of cultural influence on processes. In this case there is talk of social gerontology.
Clinical, or clinical gerontology, or geriatrics is the applied area of science that addresses the medical aspects of old age, including the diagnosis, prevention and multidisciplinary treatment of the pathologies associated with this vital phase of the person Athrough the set of socio-sanitary care services. (Duaso, and., Houses, á., Formiga, f., of the walnut, m. L., Salvà, a., Marcellán). C
Biological gerontology has among its objects of study the changes that occur in the organism associated with aging and ethiopathogenesis related to the process. They have developed, throughout the last century, multiplicity of theories that try to look for the response to the reason for aging and alternatives to address and stop it as much as possible. (Miquel, Jaime).
Biological clock theory explains the changes that are observed throughout the aging process pointing to the idea of genetic programming. Therefore, genetics would be the factor that determines the phenomena in each person throughout their lives. (Vargas, and., & Espinoza, R. ).
Free radical theory proposes that aging is the result of inadequate protection against damage produced in tissues by free radicals. O2 use and management is not perfect, and free radicals are produced, which are unstable and highly reactive molecules with one or more non -paired electrons, which produce damage around them by oxidative reactions. It is believed that this type of damage could cause alterations in chromosomes and in certain macromolecules such as collagen, elastin, lipids, etc. (Miquel, J.) .
The theory of exhaustion of genetic material there is strong evidence of a genetic control of the aging process, both at the cellular level and the organism in its entirety. When this genetic material runs out, aging and cell death occurs.(Sweet and, Elisa).
Developing
Aging implies the appearance of a series of modifications in the organism of every living being. Some of them alter. The anatomical and physiological modifications that appear are the evidence of deterioration, but they do not have the pathological character that frequently attributed to ignorance and erroneous attitudes, some of the anatomical and physiological modifications are the following are the following.
- Cellular and molecular alterations, cell degeneration and modification varies with the cell type, cells undergo changes in membranes, cytoplasm and cell nucleus . Cell death increases, so the number of cells decreases, the loss of cell water increases, so dehydration is favored, adipose tissue is degenerated, cloudy swelling or edema is produced, pigmentation is modified (hairstyle, m. A., Del Moral, M. L., Esteban, f. J., Martínez Lara, and., Siles, e., Jiménez, a., … & Pedrosa, J. A. (2000)).
- Skin modifications increases roughness and dry skin. , It increases the rigidity in the collagen of the dermis and in the elastic fibers of the structure, the regeneration of the epidermis and the space of union between the dermis and the epidermis, the density of the dermis decreases, the number of Langerhans cells is reducedand of melanocytes, decreases the production of fat and elasticity, the sweating process decreases by the atrophy of the sweat glands, the healing and thermoregulation process decreases, the skin acquires an appetizer of decolgation and appears jacketThe eyelids, spots appear, especially in hands, verrugosities appear in the bunch, the coloration acquires a pale tone .
- Nail modifications, decreases nail thickness and as a consequence, they fragment more easily
- Hair modifications, the growth speed decreases, hair becomes gray and gray hair, the appearance of facial hair is modified: In men it decreases in the head and thorax and increases in the nose, ears and eyebrows Inwomen decrease in armpits and pubis and increases on the upper lip and chin .
- Modifications in the muscular system, atrophy and muscle hypotrophy, the fibers decrease and modifications are produced in their size, mitochondria and the synthesis of the contractile proteins of the striated muscle decrease, the color of myoglobin is lost and becomes yellowish, the musclesacquire fibrous appearance (left, m., & Aguado, X. (1998)).
- Alterations in the osteoarticular system, demineralization of the bone due to aging (12% in men and 26% in women), loss of elasticity in the joints, decreases the cartilage and viscosity of the Synovia, decreases the amplitude of joint movements,The size decreases, changes the aspect of body silhouette, the presence of pain is frequent.
- Alterations in the endocrine system, hormonal secretion decreases and lower glucose tolerance occurs.
- Alterations in the metabolic system, decreases tolerance to carbohydrates, increase difficulties in absorbing vitamin D, iron and calcium, the sensation of thirst is reduced .
- Alterations in the immune system, decreases infections resistance.
- Eye modifications, changes in cornea, lens and retina occur, the reflection capacity is altered, so ocular accommodation decreases, sensitivity to light decreases, the capacity for the perception of the perception of, the tired sight trend is increased .
- Modifications in the ear and ears, increases the size of the atrial pavilion, increases hair in the area, presubiacusia appears.(Suárez, F., & Gasamáns, M. C.).
- Alterations in the mouth, the perception of sweet and salty flavors is altered.
- Nose alterations, olfactory perception decreases.
- Alterations in the cardiocirculatory system, decreases the weight and volume of the heart, decreases the elasticity and light of the blood vessels, decreases the speed of blood circulation, increases cardiac collagen, myocardial fibrosis, fat in the arteries,Calcium in valves, coronary disorders and changes in heart functioning, both at rest and during physical activity.
- Alterations in the respiratory system, decreases the ciliary system, decreases the weight and volume of the lung . Calcification of tracheal and sack cartilages, alterations in the column, the dorsal kyphosis is accentuated, the tracheal light increases, atrophy of the mucous glands, increases the volume and residual respiratory capacity.
- Alterations in the digestive system, loss of dental pieces 10, dehydration of gums, decreased salivary production, atrophy of the gastric mucosa, decreased weight and volume of all digestive organs (Álvarez Guerra, Odalys Maria,) .
- Alterations in the genitourinary system, decreased weight and volume of the kidney, sclerosis of the vesselsodium and water .
- Alterations in the brain, loss of weight and brain volume, increased cerebral grooves, increased ventricles and granulesmeninges, vascular changes.
- Neuronal alterations, irreversibly decreases the number of neurons, anomalies and modifications appear in neurons and connections .
- Functional changes, tactile and discriminative sensitivity are reduced, reflexes are slowMarch.
conclusion
All these changes inherent in the aging process originate the deterioration of the organism, therefore, over time vulnerability is increased against environmental aggressions. Becoming aware of all this and acquiring knowledge for the development of healthy habits, is essential to achieve well -being and quality of life of the greater.
Promote active aging and rehabilitate or compensate for the dysfunctions that appear is the best method to prevent dependence on the elderly.
Psychophysiological changes occur in terms of cognitive, affective and behavioral aspects. To the extent that they affect the functionality and quality of life of the major, they will demand the development of psychological adaptation mechanisms.
The old man must be motivated because the person who loses motivation stops doing the things he used to do, then, his relatives see how a rapid decline occurs, the person loses the desire to live. The feeling of not being useful is frequent in the elderly and leads to the abandonment of daily activities. When this demotivation cycle occurs in the elderly, it is the time when the professional’s attitude is fundamental. You will try to motivate the old man, to help him break the demotivation and sedentary lifestyle. You will seek to arouse your interest, reinforcing your skills and skills and stimulating your self-confidence. Appropriate, stimulating and interesting activities are a good battle horse against demotivation. Special interest will be put in returning the feeling of a valuable person that can still contribute a lot to others. The disabilities of old age can increase demotivation, it will be reinforced to exercise the unquoted senses, so that they can replace those affected. If disability is total, you will help you face your situation. He will be encouraged to put into practice new activities and to adapt his new situation to those activities that he did before, while doing so as much as possible. Depression entails the loss of desire to do things, so you should be encouraged to do, activities away from home, activities inside the home . Whenever there is depression, the elderly should receive psychological assistance. Combating depression is a multidisciplinary work. In the case of dementia, activities that exercise cognitive skills must be carried out, to delay loss and mental deterioration.
The changes of roles, that is, of the papers that it is time to assume in the era of old age, are the social events that modify and affect life, and even endanger the health status of the old person.
Our society has been influenced by a series of demographic changes, related to cultural, population and socio -economic factors that generate new situations that must be answered from different areas of action.
There is a low birth rate, motivated by cultural changes and lifestyle. Their causes are, the massive incorporation of women to work, the conditions that many of them face such as discrimination, The fear of entrepreneurs to gestation states, To the casualties due to maternity, to the reductions ofLactation day or care of children, etc. All this makes it difficult to combine working life with the care of children, which pushes women to delay or suppress the arrival of children.
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