Bodily Changes and Acute and Chronic Illnesses

In the first part of the chapter, we will discuss typical age-related changes in bodily systems, including changes in the skin, hair, body build, musculature, mobility, bones, joints, and hormones, and the nervous, cardiovascular, reproductive, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, immune, urinary, thermoregulatory, vestibular, and sleep systems. We will then explore factors that can speed up or slow down age-related changes in the body, including diet, exercise, stressors, and other aspects of the environment. The second part of the chapter includes a discussion of acute and major chronic conditions that generally begin in middle adulthood and older adulthood, how these conditions are managed, and the role of behavioral modifications and lifestyle changes in helping to maintain health and well-being. Throughout the chapter we will explore similarities and differences across cultures regarding many aspects of bodily changes and health conditions. The chapter will conclude with a discussion of functional health and ability, and how sociocultural factors affect perceptions of changes in the body system.