The nervous system

The nervous system of the older adult age sixty-five and up will begin to experience dilatation of the cerebral ventricles, loss of neurons, and a decrease of 5 to 7 percent in brain weight. The older individual will have impaired vision that includes decreased transparency of the lens, decreased pupil size, and altered vitreous humor. The older adult will have a decrease in the ability to hear high-pitched, high-frequency sounds, as well as a decrease in the ability to smell and distinguish odors. The older individual will have decreased tactile sensation, and slower reaction time related to slower conductivity of impulses. The older adult will begin to experience memory changes such as decreased short-term memory. Many older adults who experience short-term memory loss will retain the long-term memory

Nutrition

Nutrition
Nutrition involves the recognition and realization of nutrients and how they are utilized in the body for proper homeostasis and normal bodily functions on a daily basis. Nutrition affects bodily functions as they relate to decision making processes, functional ability, cognitive processes, our social abilities to interact, form, and maintain relationships as well as cultural beliefs that guide our daily decision making. Without proper nutritional intake muscles will not function to support daily activities, the brain and neurological system will not have the required nutrients to function in decision making and provide proper neurological functioning mechanisms needed for normal activity. Our emotions are guided by balanced or homeostatic nutritional balance that maintains proper functioning of hormone levels such as insulin.

Amniotic fluid

Amniotic fluid is a protective mechanism for the fetus. Amniotic fluid also functions to maintain a constant temperature for the fetus. Amniotic fluid increases in amount as the pregnancy matures. The fetus typically ingests 600 ml of amniotic fluid every 24 hour period and produces urine that is part of the total amount of amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid consists of albumin, creatinine, urea, uric acid, lecithin, sphingomyelin, bilirubin, fat, fructose, leukocytes, protein, enzymes, and epithelial cells. Amniotic fluid flows freely throughout the fetal lungs at a rate of 400 ml daily. Ruptured membranes or leaking of amniotic fluid is one of the first signs of impending labor and birth.

Abused children

Children who have experienced abuse may exhibit behaviors such as aggression, and/or pulling back. Abused children often express fright with the home environment and/or the individual who is abusing them. Abused children display apprehensive behavior when they witness episodes of weeping among other children. Abused children often display no emotion with parents. With any display of affection the abused child may become friendly, and interested in the individual. Abused children often avoid eye contact. Children who are abused will also show signs of rigidity when they are approached, and may have inappropriate responses to painful procedures.

Engineered foods

Engineered foods are products that are manufactured from ingredients in such a way as to resemble another product in taste, texture, and appearance. Engineered foods are desirable to populations who cannot or will not consume a particular product, for example, the meat analogs designed to replace animal protein for vegetarians. Engineered foods can also be designed to have a higher nutritive quality than the product they replaced. Meat analogs are usually lower in fat, are cholesterol free, and can be fortified with B vitamins to make them similar to meat as a nutrient source. Engineered foods can be convenient and economical, as in the case of seafood analogs. Instead of crab meat, which may be unavailable in certain regions or seasons, seafood analogs composed of fish, soy protein, and natural flavorings can be substituted. The analog product is typically less expensive as well.

Do you suffer from Excess Weight or Obesity? (insulin resistance)

Medical research has now identified insulin resistance as a serious condition that causes your cells to become insensitive to insulin. When people suffering from excess weight or obesity fail to address insulin resistance, the possibility of severe complications such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and sexual dysfunction can dramatically accelerate.

Menopause

Menopause is the permanent termination of the menstrual cycle. Menopause may be caused by ovarian failure or surgical procedures to stop ovulation from occurring. Menopause traditionally ceases on its own around age 50 for most women. Menopause is the end of the reproductive phase for women. Signs and symptoms of menopause include, but are not limited to hot flashes and night sweats or vasomotor instability, mood changes such as nervousness, irritability, anxiety, and depression. Women who are experiencing menopause often experience insomnia. Due to the lack of estrogen production women often experience atrophy of the urogenital epithelium and surrounding skin. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is greater than or equal to 40 IU/l in menopausal women.