The Aging Musculoskeletal System
The Aging Musculoskeletal System
When the bones lose mass and become brittle it is called osteoporosis. Loss of bone density accelerates in women after menopause. Mrs. Smith is an 84 year old thin, small boned woman. Muscles, bones and joints are affected by the ageing process. Osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis are more common in older people. Exercise to increase muscle and bone fitness can reduce or reverse the risk of disability and disease. Some age-related changes, such as wrinkles and grey hair, are inevitable. It was once thought that changes to muscles, bones and joints were unavoidable too. However, researchers now suggest that many factors associated with ageing are due to inactivity, and that performing physical activity can help to reduce or reverse the risk of disability and chronic disease. Osteoarthritis is the cartilage within the joint breaks down, causing pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of physical disability among adults and it is a progressive disease, meaning it will slowly get worse over time. Fractures are more likely. Muscle weakness and pain are common problem of muscular atrophy; osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are conditions can affect the proper functioning of the associated muscles. Individuals who suffer from muscle atrophy may experience a significant decrease in quality of life, as the simplest actions usually performed without a thought may become difficult or impossible. Muscle loses size and strength as we get older, which can contribute to fatigue, weakness and reduced tolerance to exercise. This is caused by a number of factors working in combination, including; Muscle fibers reduce in number and shrink in size. Muscle tissue is replaced more slowly and lost muscle tissue is replaced with a tough, fibrous tissue. These changes in the nervous system cause muscles to have reduced tone and ability to contract. Bone is living tissue. As we age, the structure of bone changes and this
When the bones lose mass and become brittle it is called osteoporosis. Loss of bone density accelerates in women after menopause. Mrs. Smith is an 84 year old thin, small boned woman. Muscles, bones and joints are affected by the ageing process. Osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis are more common in older people. Exercise to increase muscle and bone fitness can reduce or reverse the risk of disability and disease. Some age-related changes, such as wrinkles and grey hair, are inevitable. It was once thought that changes to muscles, bones and joints were unavoidable too. However, researchers now suggest that many factors associated with ageing are due to inactivity, and that performing physical activity can help to reduce or reverse the risk of disability and chronic disease. Osteoarthritis is the cartilage within the joint breaks down, causing pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of physical disability among adults and it is a progressive disease, meaning it will slowly get worse over time. Fractures are more likely. Muscle weakness and pain are common problem of muscular atrophy; osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are conditions can affect the proper functioning of the associated muscles. Individuals who suffer from muscle atrophy may experience a significant decrease in quality of life, as the simplest actions usually performed without a thought may become difficult or impossible. Muscle loses size and strength as we get older, which can contribute to fatigue, weakness and reduced tolerance to exercise. This is caused by a number of factors working in combination, including; Muscle fibers reduce in number and shrink in size. Muscle tissue is replaced more slowly and lost muscle tissue is replaced with a tough, fibrous tissue. These changes in the nervous system cause muscles to have reduced tone and ability to contract. Bone is living tissue. As we age, the structure of bone changes and this