Ageing

Ageing is a passive process involving breakdown of existing structures and slowing of existing function with degeneration of elastic and collagen proteins of connective tissue which literally holds body together at structural level.
Ageing starts before birth
You will be surprised to know that ageing in fact starts before our birth and even before embryo is formed i.e. before fertilization .Primordial germ cell in the gonad of a genetic female differentiate into oogonia. By 5th month of intrauterine life total number of germ cells in ovary reaches 6,000,000. At this time degeneration begins and many oogonia as well as primary oocytes become atretic. By 7th month majority of oogonia degenerated. Surviving primary oocytes do not finish their first meotic division before puberty is reached. At birth no of primary oocytes vary from 7000,000 to 2,000,000 but majority become atretic and only 40,000 are present by starting of puberty. The fact that the children born to women over 35 years have an increased likelihood of inheriting an abnormal number of chromosomes may be related to the greater age of female germ cell at conception.
Human cell begin to die even before an   individual  is born but more cells form to replace them in rapidly growing embryo and fetus viz fingers and toes are gradually carved  from web like extremities by cells in the webbing that die.
Connective tissue cells in the body include Fibroblasts, Histiocytes, Plasma cells, Mast cells, Fat cells, Pigmented cells and Reticular cells. It has been observed in culture normal human fibroblasts have a specific life span. Usually they multiply and become double 20-60 times before an irreversible loss of cell division occurs. This loss of multiplication is an important characteristic of cellular ageing. In the early few weeks of embryonic life primitive nucleated red blood cells are produced in the yolk sac, during middle trimester in liver, spleen and after that in the red marrow of long bones. After 20 years red blood cells are produced by the marrow of membranous bones especially ribs, vertebra, sternum, ilia etc. Normal R.B.C. delivered in circulation die after 120 days. It is suggested that some genes may be responsible for inhibition of cell proliferation and if there properly identified the human ageing can be slowed and event reversed.
Some changes
Following are some changes during ageing process:
At the age of 2 years: Child’s brain cells are as numerous as they will ever be.
At 10 years: Hearing is best that will ever be.
Girls at 12 years:  Small gland thymus at the upper part of chest
Boys at 14 years: Which is a part of immune system reaches its                              greatest size of a walnut. It atrophy gradually become microscopic by 70 years of age and replaced by fat.
At18 years: The male will produce highest level of Testosterone that he will ever have.
At 30 years: First ageing features e.g. loss of elasticity of facial skin with signs of wrinkles appears around the eyes and mouth. Hearing is less acute and heart muscle thickens. There is also starting of loss of elasticity of ligaments of joints. However women may have greatest sex desire during 30’s.
At 40 years: Weighs 4.5-9 kg more than they had at 20. Become 1/8? inches shorter. Hair starts greying and falling out. W.B.C less efficient to fight infection.
At 50 years: Physiological function declines further, nail growth slows, taste buds start dying, skin continues to lose elasticity. Strength of arm muscles and lung function becomes almost half in comparison to what they had at the age of 25 years. Women stop menstruation. Immune system becomes more weak and the persons are prone to develop infection and even cancer. Become ¾” shorter.
At 60 years: Minor memory loss. Million of persons’ trillion brain cells are lost but still intellect remain sharp.
At 70 years: Height decreases by 1? (2.5 c.m.). Facial fat decreases. There is sagging of skin but cartilages continue to grow making nose, ears and eyes more prominent. Thymus is 1/10th the size it was at 10 years of age.
Damaged D.N.A.
Some researchers suggests that ageing results from accumulation of damaged D.N.A in cell or organ and damage to D.N.A molecule can give rise to early cell death.
Some examples in this
regard are:
Accumulation-waste theory: It points out to a build up of cells of waste products that interfere with metabolism.
Wear and tear theory: States changes associated with ageing are result of chance damage that accumulates over time.
Somatic Mutation Theory: Age results from greater integrity of body cells.
Error Accumulation Theory: Age results from chance events that escapes proof reading mechanism which gradually damages the genetic codes.
Cross linkage Theory: Ageing results from accumulation of cross linked compounds that interfere with normal cell function.
Free Radicle Theory: Free radicles i.e. unstable and highly reactive oxygen species or oxidative stress creating damage that give rise to symptoms that we call ageing.
Parameters of Assessment
Ageing can be assessed by various parameters:
Mood:
Loss of interest
Depression-Melancholia
Diurnal variation of mood
Tension:
Sensation of tension
Fatigability
Tearfulness
Insomnia:
Difficulty in getting sleep
Broken sleep
Tiredness on waking
Intellectual function:
Impaired concentration
Poor memory of recent past
Somatic symptoms:
Muscle fatigue
Muscle stiffness
Weakness
Loss of appetite
Reduced capacity to work
Asthenia
Headache
Increased secretion of sebaceous glands of scalp
Muscle cramps
Neuro-vegetative Disorder:
Headache
Dizziness
Phonemes
Insomnia
Organic Symptoms:
Atrophy of genital organs and breasts
Wrinkles
Loss of hair
Itching
Back pain
Cognitive Disorder:
Decreased mental alertness
Lack of initiative
Interpersonal relations:
Unsociability
Poor co-operation
Irritability
Hostility
Sexual difficulties
Menopausal Disorders:
Sudden flush
Profuse night sweating
Nervous tension
Headache
Palpitations
Motor Disorders:
1. Change of gait
2. Rigidity
3. Tremors
4. Impaired functional independence
5. Asthenia
Factors playing:
Various factors play part in progressive physical and mental deteriorations:
Excessive mental and physical exertion e.g. conflicts, excessive sports or inappropriate physical activities.
Nutritional deficiencies: Vitamins, trace elements etc.
Prejudicial habits and conditions: Dental or gastric disorders, smoking, alcohol, drug abuse.
Physical or mental diseases and latent pathological conditions:
Trauma, Hypertension, Hypotension, Uraemia, Rheumatism, Osteoporosis, Diabetes, Heart disease.
Stress of everyday life: Living in big cities, socio-economic and cultural pressures
Family stress: Increased financial responsibilities, large family, problem between spouse or relatives.
Stress of work: Routine work, greater job responsibilities, frustrations, interpersonal rivalry.
Stress at crucial phase of life: Menopause, Retirement, Change of job, Social isolation.
All the above factors accelerate psychic and organic deterioration which aggravate physical process of ageing.
Ageing is a multidimensional process of physical, psychological and social changes. It is accumulation of changes in a person over time. Rejuvenation is not possible but we can slow the ageing process and we can be healthy and free from illness during extra years.
Life can be prolonged
Life can be prolonged by the elimination and retardation of the process which shorten the duration of life by irregularities brought about by various reasons of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, arteriosclerotic processes of various causations, premature degeneration of brain cells with disturbed metabolism caused not by vascular malfunction of astrocytes and chronic illness or
degenerative changes respectively of the respiratory organs, to name but a few chronic processes shortening life.
Latest researchers in Sweden and Germany said that blame of early ageing could mostly on the internally inherited genes apart from the life style although life-style habits can influence life span considerably. It is said ageing is avoidable as it is the result of genetic program. Numerous species show low signs of ageing e.g. bristlecone, pine trees, sturgeon and rock fish, invertebrate like sea anemone, lobsters etc.
In addition to genetic ties diet has been shown to substantially effect life span in men and animals. Our immune system weakens with advancement of age. The body declines in the ability to recognise and deal effectively with bacteria, viruses, carcinogens and other invaders. Aerobic exercise and yoga improves cardio-respiratory fitness, lowers cholesterol level produces positive emotional and behavioural effects for healthy older people. Exercise can improve muscle strength and mobility of the people.
Conclusion
 To live long and slow the ageing process we must avoid excessive physical and mental trauma,
deficient diet and detrimental eating habits, stress of everyday life as far as possible.
Environmental factors ply a vital role in the ageing process. Above all we must have a keen desire to live long and
keep ourselves youthful as ageing is a ride toward an uncertain
destiny.

Ageing

Ageing is a passive process involving breakdown of existing structures and slowing of existing function with degeneration of elastic and collagen proteins of connective tissue which literally holds body together at structural level. Ageing starts before birth You will be surprised to know that ageing in fact starts before our birth and even before embryo is formed i.e. before fertilization .Primordial germ cell in the gonad of a genetic female differentiate into oogonia. By 5th month of intrauterine life total number of germ cells in ovary reaches 6,000,000. At this time degeneration begins and many oogonia as well as primary oocytes become atretic. By 7th month majority of oogonia degenerated. Surviving primary oocytes do not finish their first meotic division before puberty is reached. At birth no of primary oocytes vary from 7000,000 to 2,000,000 but majority become atretic and only 40,000 are present by starting of puberty. The fact that the children born to women over 35 years have an increased likelihood of inheriting an abnormal number of chromosomes may be related to the greater age of female germ cell at conception. Human cell begin to die even before an individual is born but more cells form to replace them in rapidly growing embryo and fetus viz fingers and toes are gradually carved from web like extremities by cells in the webbing that die. Connective tissue cells in the body include Fibroblasts, Histiocytes, Plasma cells, Mast cells, Fat cells, Pigmented cells and Reticular cells. It has been observed in culture normal human fibroblasts have a specific life span. Usually they multiply and become double 20-60 times before an irreversible loss of cell division occurs. This loss of multiplication is an important characteristic of cellular ageing. In the early few weeks of embryonic life primitive nucleated red blood cells are produced in the yolk sac, during middle trimester in liver, spleen and after that in the red marrow of long bones. After 20 years red blood cells are produced by the marrow of membranous bones especially ribs, vertebra, sternum, ilia etc. Normal R.B.C. delivered in circulation die after 120 days. It is suggested that some genes may be responsible for inhibition of cell proliferation and if there properly identified the human ageing can be slowed and event reversed. Some changes Following are some changes during ageing process: At the age of 2 years: Childs brain cells are as numerous as they will ever be. At 10 years: Hearing is best that will ever be. Girls at 12 years: Small gland thymus at the upper part of chest Boys at 14 years: Which is a part of immune system reaches its greatest size of a walnut. It atrophy gradually become microscopic by 70 years of age and replaced by fat. At18 years: The male will produce highest level of Testosterone that he will ever have. At 30 years: First ageing features e.g. loss of elasticity of facial skin with signs of wrinkles appears around the eyes and mouth. Hearing is less acute and heart muscle thickens. There is also starting of loss of elasticity of ligaments of joints. However women may have greatest sex desire during 30s. At 40 years: Weighs 4.5-9 kg more than they had at 20. Become 1/8? inches shorter. Hair starts greying and falling out. W.B.C less efficient to fight infection. At 50 years: Physiological function declines further, nail growth slows, taste buds start dying, skin continues to lose elasticity. Strength of arm muscles and lung function becomes almost half in comparison to what they had at the age of 25 years. Women stop menstruation. Immune system becomes more weak and the persons are prone to develop infection and even cancer. Become shorter. At 60 years: Minor memory loss. Million of persons trillion brain cells are lost but still intellect remain sharp. At 70 years: Height decreases by 1? (2.5 c.m.). Facial fat decreases. There is sagging of skin but cartilages continue to grow making nose, ears and eyes more prominent. Thymus is 1/10th the size it was at 10 years of age. Damaged D.N.A. Some researchers suggests that ageing results from accumulation of damaged D.N.A in cell or organ and damage to D.N.A molecule can give rise to early cell death. Some examples in this regard are: Accumulation-waste theory: It points out to a build up of cells of waste products that interfere with metabolism. Wear and tear theory: States changes associated with ageing are result of chance damage that accumulates over time. Somatic Mutation Theory: Age results from greater integrity of body cells. Error Accumulation Theory: Age results from chance events that escapes proof reading mechanism which gradually damages the genetic codes. Cross linkage Theory: Ageing results from accumulation of cross linked compounds that interfere with normal cell function. Free Radicle Theory: Free radicles i.e. unstable and highly reactive oxygen species or oxidative stress creating damage that give rise to symptoms that we call ageing. Parameters of Assessment Ageing can be assessed by various parameters: Mood: Loss of interest Depression-Melancholia Diurnal variation of mood Tension: Sensation of tension Fatigability Tearfulness Insomnia: Difficulty in getting sleep Broken sleep Tiredness on waking Intellectual function: Impaired concentration Poor memory of recent past Somatic symptoms: Muscle fatigue Muscle stiffness Weakness Loss of appetite Reduced capacity to work Asthenia Headache Increased secretion of sebaceous glands of scalp Muscle cramps Neuro-vegetative Disorder: Headache Dizziness Phonemes Insomnia Organic Symptoms: Atrophy of genital organs and breasts Wrinkles Loss of hair Itching Back pain Cognitive Disorder: Decreased mental alertness Lack of initiative Interpersonal relations: Unsociability Poor co-operation Irritability Hostility Sexual difficulties Menopausal Disorders: Sudden flush Profuse night sweating Nervous tension Headache Palpitations Motor Disorders: 1. Change of gait 2. Rigidity 3. Tremors 4. Impaired functional independence 5. Asthenia Factors playing: Various factors play part in progressive physical and mental deteriorations: Excessive mental and physical exertion e.g. conflicts, excessive sports or inappropriate physical activities. Nutritional deficiencies: Vitamins, trace elements etc. Prejudicial habits and conditions: Dental or gastric disorders, smoking, alcohol, drug abuse. Physical or mental diseases and latent pathological conditions: Trauma, Hypertension, Hypotension, Uraemia, Rheumatism, Osteoporosis, Diabetes, Heart disease. Stress of everyday life: Living in big cities, socio-economic and cultural pressures Family stress: Increased financial responsibilities, large family, problem between spouse or relatives. Stress of work: Routine work, greater job responsibilities, frustrations, interpersonal rivalry. Stress at crucial phase of life: Menopause, Retirement, Change of job, Social isolation. All the above factors accelerate psychic and organic deterioration which aggravate physical process of ageing. Ageing is a multidimensional process of physical, psychological and social changes. It is accumulation of changes in a person over time. Rejuvenation is not possible but we can slow the ageing process and we can be healthy and free from illness during extra years. Life can be prolonged Life can be prolonged by the elimination and retardation of the process which shorten the duration of life by irregularities brought about by various reasons of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, arteriosclerotic processes of various causations, premature degeneration of brain cells with disturbed metabolism caused not by vascular malfunction of astrocytes and chronic illness or degenerative changes respectively of the respiratory organs, to name but a few chronic processes shortening life. Latest researchers in Sweden and Germany said that blame of early ageing could mostly on the internally inherited genes apart from the life style although life-style habits can influence life span considerably. It is said ageing is avoidable as it is the result of genetic program. Numerous species show low signs of ageing e.g. bristlecone, pine trees, sturgeon and rock fish, invertebrate like sea anemone, lobsters etc. In addition to genetic ties diet has been shown to substantially effect life span in men and animals. Our immune system weakens with advancement of age. The body declines in the ability to recognise and deal effectively with bacteria, viruses, carcinogens and other invaders. Aerobic exercise and yoga improves cardio-respiratory fitness, lowers cholesterol level produces positive emotional and behavioural effects for healthy older people. Exercise can improve muscle strength and mobility of the people. Conclusion To live long and slow the ageing process we must avoid excessive physical and mental trauma, deficient diet and detrimental eating habits, stress of everyday life as far as possible. Environmental factors ply a vital role in the ageing process. Above all we must have a keen desire to live long and keep ourselves youthful as ageing is a ride toward an uncertain destiny.