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Last week, we discussed the concept of ageing, and some people’s abnormal reaction towards it. This week, let us examine, why and how we age. And what we could do to ameliorate it, or reduce it to the barest minimum. It must be noted that no two people, even twins age alike. Reasons – environment, food consumption, level of education, intrinsic habits, communicable and non-communicable diseases affect each individual’s ageing process differently.
But wait a minute, has anybody bothered to ask, what has happened to our generations since Adam. Why do we now struggle to even reach, the proverbial 70, the Biblical age. Was it not the same Bible that told us that, Methuselah in Genesis 5:27 lived for 969 years. Jared in Genesis 5:20 lived for 962 years. Adam in Genesis 5:5 lived for 930 years. Seth the 3rd son of Adam in Genesis 5:8 lived for 912 years. And Kenan lived for 910 years. Have we asked ourselves, “where did we go wrong, that living up to 100 years has become a mission impossible? ”
Why and how do we age?
1) ■ Let us note this; at birth a foetus is born with reflexes(spinal-cord, cortex) fully developed. Other parts of the brain -forebrain, cerebral hemispheres for memory, thoughts and complex mental functions develop after birth.
2) ■ With the onset of ageing, at least from 50, the senses that were developed after birth, begin to functionally diminish. First, the higher levels are affected: memory, thought, and complex mental functions become slower and less reliable.
3) ■ Eventually, the individual may pass through a second childhood, with, finally, only basic reflexes remaining, such as eating, walking, coughing. On average, by age 70, the brain has lost 50% of its weight.
4) ■ The frontal lobes of the brain – which are the first part to deteriorate – are less concerned with intelligence and intellectuality, than with general personality, interest in life, deliberation, and consideration. Moreover these higher functions often bear a repressive relationship to the lower, so that as the higher degenerate, the lower are released, in what appears to be an exaggerated form. Social inhibitions are removed, and the elderly becomes increasingly childish, selfish, inconsiderate, obstinate, and emotional.
What are the disorders of old age?
About 10% of people over 65 show some signs of organic brain disorder. Such mental illness due to old age, were originally undifferentiated under the term “senility” – which is the loss of mental faculties with age. However 4 main conditions are now recognised. Note also that some old persons pass through old age without suffering any of the under listed.
1) ♥ Acute Confusion. This is one of the commonest mental disorders in old people. It is a disturbance of the brain due to physical illness elsewhere in the body, and is also known as “acute brain syndrome”. Strange surroundings and other psychological factors may also play a part. The symptoms are a) Confusion. b) Delirium. c) Disorientation in time and place. Perception is dulled, and the sufferer is frightened, often reacting violently to situations that he has completely misinterpreted. d) Speech becomes incoherent and rambling. The outcome depends on the pre-existing mental state and the original causal illness, but complete recovery is possible.
2) ♥ Senile Dementia; This is the disorder that links most directly with the slow process of natural cell loss. It usually begins to be noticeable between the ages of 70 and 80, and primarily affects the memory. a) It begins gradually with recent memory, and may proceed to the point at which the patient forgets his relations, and even his own name. b) This forgetfulness leads to incompetence in personal care and management: the person now needs more and more attention as time goes on. c) Disorientation in time and place also occurs. d) Emotions are blunted, and and there is an increasing lack of consideration for others. e) Whether the cause of the illness is rapid or slow, it is irreversible, and deterioration continues until death. f) As the numbers of old people rise, so inevitably do the cases of senile dementia. At present it is more common in women than men.
3) ♥ Arteriosclerotic Dementia; This is also due to the death of brain cells, though in this case the cells die because blockage in the arteries impairs their blood supply. The onset may be gradual, or follow suddenly upon a major stroke. In either case the effects, in an old person, are irreversible. Because, the brain damage is restricted to the areas affected by the blockage, the basic personality may remain more intact than senile dementia. The person usually retains more awareness and insight into his condition – though this can result in depression and fear.
4) ♥ Depressive Illness; This is a mental illness, but organic nervous decline plays a part in its appearance. It is characterised by a) Acute feelings of sadness. b) Inadequacy. c) Anxiety. d) Apathy. e) Guilt and f) Fear. It may be triggered off by internal factors of mental make-up (endogenous depression), or by external events, such as bereavement or knowledge of an incurable disease (reactive depression). It often results from a combination of both. The illness manifests itself in mood swings, ranging from apathy to despair, and in delusions, loss of appetite and weight, and a preoccupation with thoughts of suicide. It is, in fact, a major cause of suicide in the elderly. Although treatment may produce cure, the chances of relapse are very great. Immediate medical management delays relapse.
In summary, the only treatment for old age are; a)unconditional love , b) adequate medical care, and c) regular geriatric activities and rugular extended family interactions and monitoring. Please look after your elderly.
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