Endocrine Facets Of Ageing

Social and medical developments have recently led to a dramatic increase in life expectancy. This has inspired the study of organismic changes associated with healthy ageing, in particular the erosion of homeostatic capabilities in multiple endocrine systems. This book reviews advances in the understanding of endocrine facets of ageing. It considers the relative magnitudes and time courses of different endocrine adaptations in the ageing human and experimental animal, addressing the influence of external factors on the rates of progression of endocrine sequelae in ageing, the mechanisms that underlie the disarray of endocrine axes in ageing, and the implications of therapeutic reconstitution of hormones in ageing. This book: Considers the mechanisms of ageing and hormonal changes that occur with age. Discusses healthy ageing and the relationships between hormonal changes and pathophysiological conditions such as atherosclerosis and age-related bone loss. Draws together contributions from basic and clinical research, to identify and stimulate promising new research directions.

At the beginning of the 20th century, life expectancy at birth in North America and Western Europe was around 50 years of age. Nowadays, women have gained more than 30 years of age and men are trailing closer. However, according to several sociologists such as Louis Chauvel, the notion of a "greying society" is not entirely adequate since aging people are physically and socially younger and more active for a longer time. Of course, the other side of the medal is to tackle the challenge of preventing age-associated chronic diseases. In this book the extensive field of research on neuroendocrine aging has been reviewed. Aging is one of the most complex biological processes determined by the interactions between genetic and environmental factors.

Endocrinology of Aging: Clinical Aspects in Diagrams and Images presents chapters in a way that allows the reader to incorporate concepts and complex facts in a visual way. As the global population becomes older, the need for a deeper understanding of geriatric pathology increases, and with it, there becomes a greater need to access educational resources on the endocrinology and metabolism of aging. According to the United Nations, the number of people aged 60 years or over in the world is projected to be 1.4 billion in 2030 and 2.1 billion in 2050, hence this is a timely resource. Divided according to specific endocrine and metabolic systems, providing evidence-based content Addresses physiological changes that alter the pathophysiology of the clinical picture Considers the patient transitioning from young adult to elderly, discussing endocrinological challenges to discern physiology from pathology Focuses on age as an essential factor for diagnostic and endocrine management

According to the United Nations, the number of people aged 60 years or over in the world is projected to be 1.4 billion in 2030 and 2.1 billion in 2050. Endocrinologists and other clinicians face the challenge of caring for the elderly. To do so, they need to incorporate geriatric principles into their clinical practice. Endocrinology of Aging: Clinical Aspects in Diagrams and Images presents chapters in a way that allows the reader to incorporate concepts and main facts of complex subjects in a visual way. As the global population becomes older, the need for a deeper understanding of geriatric pathology increases, and with it, the access to educational resources for the endocrinology and metabolism of aging. Chapters divided according to specific endocrine and metabolic systems, providing evidence-based content regarding what is known about the function of endocrine and metabolic systems altered during the aging process Addresses physiological changes that alter the pathophysiology of the clinical picture, explaining the characteristic pathological expressions of hormonal and metabolic disorders in the advanced age Editors and authors are clinical endocrinologists, geriatricians, internists and endocrine surgeons, with extensive global experience in clinical and experimental gerontology Considers the patient transitioning from young adult to elderly, discussing the endocrinological challenge to discern physiology from pathology Focuses on age as an essential factor for diagnostic and endocrine management Includes many pictures and diagrams, making it a user-friendly reference guide for practicing physicians

This second edition of Health Aspects of Aging serves to broaden the perspectives of societal change due to increases in life expectancy, as well as the effects of age-related changes as they impinge upon the provision of health care for older persons. The growing presence of a large number of persons aged 65 and older worldwide has propelled a re-evaluation of the nature of life that is protracted to 100 years and beyond. The emphasis in this second edition is to replace the prevailing problem approach to aging by a problem-solving approach. The problem-solving approach of this volume has allowed for the incorporation of the concept of new social structures and the development of intervention and prevention strategies along with new technologies. Such new products and health care measures include those that are deliberately aimed to offset debilities due to normal age changes, the onslaught of diseases, incongruous environments, and altered social states. Such a multi-disciplinary perspective underscores the fact that aging permeates not only biological systems, but clinical medicine, economics, ethics, and the very fabric of society. The chapters in this volume address these issues from the standpoints of diverse disciplines and professional positions. Since biological changes are primary issues, the aging process is largely described from the perspective of biological changes related to age and to particular dysfunctions. The environmental features and the potential introduction of technological interventions are interspersed within chapters, as well as finding primary focus in particular chapters. The maturity of the technology described in the chapters varies, from devices and systems that are nearly ready to be marketed to concepts and prototypes that are still in the design and developmental stages in the laboratory. The relationship between the provision of appropriate health care and the responsible utilization of technologies as described in this volume will serve to enhance the nature of life extension.

The "Fifth Decade" enlightens women and their families about the shifts to women's emotional states, their bodies and their sense of wellbeing during their midlife years. With balanced, accessible and humorous discussions of female physiology and psychology as well as current treatment options, author and psychologist Deborah R. Wagner Ph.D., provides a forum to help her readers get comfortable with the volatile, powerful and colorful decades of life in the 40s and 50s. With added advice for families---including a segment for partners and children---as well as candid discussions on the impact of unanticipated (but interconnected) conditions such as anxiety, depression, changing body image, loss of feelings of empathy and nurturing and empty nesting, Dr. Wagner delivers a potent blend of science and comfort in a voice that women identify with easily. A compelling insight for women and their loved ones, "The Fifth Decade" provides a roadmap to the chaos. . .hormonal and otherwise. . .of midlife.