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Abdominal girth 10/26/2009
Review Date: 10/26/2009 Reviewed By: David C.
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Acute 11/14/2010
Review Date: 11/14/2010 Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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Adolescent development 02/27/2009
During adolescence, children develop the ability to: Comprehend abstract content, such as higher mathematic concepts, and develop moral philosophies, including rights and privileges Establish and maintain satisfying personal relationships by learning to share intimacy without inhibition or dread Move gradually towards a more mature sense of identity and purpose Question old values without a sense of dread or loss of identity PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT Adolescence is characterized by dramatic physical changes moving the individual from childhood into physical maturity.
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Adolescent test or procedure preparation 04/19/2010
There are a number of ways to help an adolescent prepare for a medical test or procedure. First, provide detailed information and explain reasons for the procedure. Let your adolescent participate in making as many decisions as possible.
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Adrenal glands 11/23/2009
Adrenal glands are triangle-shaped glands located on top of the kidneys. The outer part of the adrenal gland is called the cortex and produces steroid hormones such as cortisol , aldosterone , and testosterone . The inner part of the adrenal gland is called the medulla and produces epinephrine and norepinephrine , which are commonly called adrenaline and noradrenaline. When the glands produce more or less hormones than your body needs, you can become sick.
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Advance care directives 08/01/2009
Advance care directives allow patients to provide instructions about their preferences regarding the care they would like to receive if they develop a terminal illness or a life-threatening injury.
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Aerobic 11/14/2010
Review Date: 11/14/2010 Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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Aging changes in body shape 10/27/2008
Many people are concerned with changes in their body shape as they age. Although some changes inevitably occur with aging, your lifestyle choices may slow or speed up these changes. The human body is made up of fat, lean tissue (muscles and organs), bones, water, and other substances. As we age, the amount and distribution of these materials will change. Fat tissue may increase toward the center of the body, including around the abdominal organs.
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Aging changes in hair and nails 10/27/2008
Hair color change is probably one of the most obvious signs of aging. Hair color is caused by a pigment ( melanin ) produced by hair follicles. With aging, the follicle produces less melanin. Graying often begins in the 30s, although this varies widely. Graying usually begins at the temples and extends to the top of the scalp. Hair becomes progressively lighter, eventually turning white. Many people have some gray scalp hair by the time they are in their 40s.
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Aging changes in hormone production 08/15/2010
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. The 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 that body systems are controlled.
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Aging changes in immunity 10/27/2008
BACKGROUND The thymus, one of the organs of the immune system, is the site where certain immune cells called T lymphocytes (T cells) mature. The thymus begins to shrink (atrophy) after adolescence. By middle age it is only about 15% of its maximum size. Some of the T cells directly kill foreign particles. Others help coordinate other parts of the immune system, which are specialized to attack different types of infections. Although the number of T cells does not decrease with aging, T-cell function decreases.
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Aging changes in organs - tissue - cells 05/03/2009
All vital organs begin to lose some function as you age. Aging changes have been found in all of the body's cells, tissues and organs, and these changes affect the functioning of all body systems. Living tissue is made up of cells. There are many different types of cells, but all have the same basic structure. Tissues are layers of similar cells that perform a specific function. The various kinds of tissues group together to form organs.
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Aging changes in skin 08/15/2010
Skin changes are among the most visible signs of aging. Evidence of increasing age includes wrinkles and sagging skin. Whitening or graying of the hair is another obvious sign of aging. Your skin does many things. It protects you from the environment, helps control your body temperature and fluid and electrolyte balance, and contains nerve receptors that allow you to feel sensations such as touch, pain, and pressure.
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Aging changes in sleep 08/15/2010
Sleep occurs in multiple stages. The sleep cycle includes dreamless periods of light and deep sleep, with occasional periods of active dreaming (REM sleep). The sleep cycle is repeated several times during the night. AGING CHANGES With aging, sleep patterns tend to change. Most people find that aging causes them to have a harder time falling asleep, and that they awaken more often. Total sleep time remains the same or is slightly decreased (6.
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Aging changes in the bones - muscles - joints 08/15/2010
Changes in posture and gait (walking pattern) are as universally associated with aging as changes in the skin and hair. The skeleton provides support and structure to the body. Joints are the areas where bones come together. They allow the skeleton to be flexible for movement. In a joint, bones do not directly contact each other. Instead, they are cushioned by cartilage in the joint, synovial membranes around the joint, and fluid.
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Aging changes in the breast 10/27/2008
With aging, a woman's breasts lose tissue and subcutaneous fat, reducing breast size and fullness. There is also a decrease in the number of mammary glands, which the body replaces with fat tissue. These changes make the breast less firm. The breasts lose support. Aging breasts commonly flatten and sag, and the nipple may turn in slightly. The area surrounding the nipple (the areola) becomes smaller and may nearly disappear. Loss of hair around the nipple is common.
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Aging changes in the face 10/27/2008
The typical appearance of the face and neck changes with age. Muscle tone may be lost, causing a flabby or droopy appearance. The jowls may begin to sag, leading to a "double chin" in some people. In some people the nose lengthens slightly and may look more prominent. There also may be an increase in the number, size, and color of colored spots on the face. This is largely due to sun exposure. The skin may thin, become dryer, and develop wrinkles .
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Aging changes in the female reproductive system 08/01/2008
For a woman, aging changes involve hormone levels , physical changes in the woman's entire reproductive tract, and psychological changes.
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Aging changes in the heart and blood vessels 08/15/2010
Some changes in the heart and blood vessels normally occur with age, but many other changes that are common with aging are due to modifiable factors that, if not treated, can lead to heart disease. BACKGROUND The heart has two sides. The right side pumps blood to the lungs to receive oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. The left side pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body.
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Aging changes in the kidneys 10/27/2008
BACKGROUND The kidneys filter the blood and help remove waste and extra fluid from the body. The kidneys also play an important role in controlling the body's chemical balance. As with other organs, kidney function may be slightly reduced with aging. The kidneys are part of the urinary system, which also includes the ureters and the bladder. Bladder control can be affected by muscle changes and changes in the reproductive system. AGING CHANGES As the kidneys age, a number of events occur: The number of filtering units (nephrons) decreases.
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Aging changes in the lungs 11/29/2010
The lungs have two primary functions: to acquire oxygen from the air, which is required for life, and to remove carbon dioxide from the body. Carbon dioxide is a byproduct of many of the chemical reactions that sustain life. During breathing, air enters and exits the lungs. It flows in through increasingly smaller airways, finally filling tiny sacs called alveoli. Blood circulates around the alveoli through capillaries (tiny blood vessels).
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Aging changes in the male reproductive system 08/15/2010
Unlike women, men do not experience a major, rapid (over several months) change in fertility as they age (like menopause). Instead, changes occur gradually during a process that some people call andropause.
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Aging changes in the nervous system 02/19/2009
As people age, their brain and nervous system go through natural changes. The brain and spinal cord lose nerve cells and weight. Nerve cells may begin to transmit messages more slowly than in the past. Waste products can collect in the brain tissue as nerve cells break down, causing abnormal structures called plaques and tangles to form. A fatty brown pigment ( lipofuscin ) can also build up in nerve tissue. The breakdown of nerves can affect the senses.
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Aging changes in the senses 02/19/2009
When you age, the way your senses (taste, smell, touch, vision, and hearing) are able to give you information about the world changes. Your senses become less acute, and you may have trouble distinguishing details. Sensory changes can have a tremendous impact on your lifestyle. You may have problems with communication, enjoyment of activities, and social interactions.
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Aging changes in vital signs 10/27/2008
The vital signs include: Blood pressure Body temperature Breathing rate Heart rate (pulse) BODY TEMPERATURE Normal body temperature does not change significantly with aging. However, as you get older, it becomes more difficult for the body to control its temperature. Loss of subcutaneous fat makes it harder to maintain body heat.
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