Signs of aging
As a sign of old age commonly complaints are referred to the man without being sick (to see geriatrics developed) in the course of aging. These symptoms include, for example, stiff limbs, a tendency to become overweight , forgetfulness , joint pain , wrinkling and hair loss .
From a morphological point of view, the common signs of age in most organs are atrophy , pigmentation , the appearance of fatty substances in the cells, calcium incrustations, and a decrease in the strength of the connective tissue and elasticity. Due to the quantitatively and qualitatively reduced organ functions, the balance of body functions ( homeostasis ) is disturbed, and the decreasing ability to adapt becomes a characteristic sign of aging. The negative change affects the body's ability to adapt to cold and warmth, lack of oxygen, changes in air pressure and tolerance to medication.
It is known from experience that the rate of aging varies greatly from person to person, so that some stay relatively youthful longer than others. A strict distinction must therefore be made between biological and calendar age.
See also
literature
- Meyer's Encyclopedic Lexicon . Volume 1, Bibliographisches Institut, Mannheim / Vienna / Zurich 1973, DNB 457593431 , p. 829.
- Günter Ahlert: Aging - the result of ecological adaptation . Karger, Basel et al. 1996, ISBN 3-8055-6361-2 .