{"id":5199,"date":"2016-09-18T02:03:03","date_gmt":"2016-09-18T02:03:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/ap1x2-91\/?post_type=chapter&p=5199"},"modified":"2017-05-10T00:37:08","modified_gmt":"2017-05-10T00:37:08","slug":"age-related-dysfunctions-of-the-skeletal-muscle-system","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/atd-herkimer-biologyofaging\/chapter\/age-related-dysfunctions-of-the-skeletal-muscle-system\/","title":{"raw":"Age Related Dysfunctions of the Skeletal Muscle System","rendered":"Age Related Dysfunctions of the Skeletal Muscle System"},"content":{"raw":"

Parkinson's Disease<\/h3>\r\nParkinson's disease<\/em> primarily affects people over 50 years of age.\u00a0 It is characterized by uncontrollable contractions of skeletal muscles, producing tremors and rigidity of the muscles.\u00a0 There is often a decrease in normal muscular activities that are usually related to other movements.\u00a0\u00a0 For example, a person with Parkinson's Disease may not swing their arms while walking.\u00a0 The changes in the muscular system are only symptoms of this condition.\u00a0 The true causes lie in the central nervous system.\r\n

Myasthenia Gravis<\/h3>\r\nMyasthenia gravis<\/em> can occur at any age, but it is more prevalent in older persons.\u00a0 The condition is an autoimmune disease which disrupts the normal contraction of muscles by interfering with the neurotransmitter acetylocholine.\u00a0 As a result, the muscles do not contract as they normally would in response to stimulation.\u00a0 The condition is characterized by drooping of the upper eyelid, difficulty swallowing and speaking, chronic generalized muscular weakness, and fatigue.\r\n

Muscle Cramps<\/h3>\r\nMuscle cramps<\/em> are not unique to older persons, but are more common in them.\u00a0 Causes of muscle cramps include low oxygen supply to the muscle,\u00a0over stimulation from then nervous system, and low blood sugar, sodium, and\/or calcium.\u00a0 The sever, sustained contraction of a muscle may last from a few seconds to several hours.\r\n

Polymyositis<\/h3>\r\nPolymyositis<\/em> most commonly affects adults in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.\u00a0 It is an autoimmune that causes inflammation of muscles resulting in weakness of the muscles of the hips, thighs, and extensor muscles of the neck.\u00a0 The condition is characterized by difficulty in rising from squatting, in kneeling, or in climbing and descending stairs.\r\n

Polymyalgia Rhumatica<\/h3>\r\nPolymyalgia rhumatica<\/em> is ten times more common in those over 80 years of age as in those aged 50 to 59 and twice as common in woman as in men.\u00a0 The condition is characterized by bilateral pain and stiffness of the shoulders and thighs.\u00a0 The discomfort my be so severe that it causes immobility, depression, weight loss, and fever.\u00a0 Fortunately, the condition responds dramatically to treatment with corticosteroids.","rendered":"

Parkinson’s Disease<\/h3>\n

Parkinson’s disease<\/em> primarily affects people over 50 years of age.\u00a0 It is characterized by uncontrollable contractions of skeletal muscles, producing tremors and rigidity of the muscles.\u00a0 There is often a decrease in normal muscular activities that are usually related to other movements.\u00a0\u00a0 For example, a person with Parkinson’s Disease may not swing their arms while walking.\u00a0 The changes in the muscular system are only symptoms of this condition.\u00a0 The true causes lie in the central nervous system.<\/p>\n

Myasthenia Gravis<\/h3>\n

Myasthenia gravis<\/em> can occur at any age, but it is more prevalent in older persons.\u00a0 The condition is an autoimmune disease which disrupts the normal contraction of muscles by interfering with the neurotransmitter acetylocholine.\u00a0 As a result, the muscles do not contract as they normally would in response to stimulation.\u00a0 The condition is characterized by drooping of the upper eyelid, difficulty swallowing and speaking, chronic generalized muscular weakness, and fatigue.<\/p>\n

Muscle Cramps<\/h3>\n

Muscle cramps<\/em> are not unique to older persons, but are more common in them.\u00a0 Causes of muscle cramps include low oxygen supply to the muscle,\u00a0over stimulation from then nervous system, and low blood sugar, sodium, and\/or calcium.\u00a0 The sever, sustained contraction of a muscle may last from a few seconds to several hours.<\/p>\n

Polymyositis<\/h3>\n

Polymyositis<\/em> most commonly affects adults in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.\u00a0 It is an autoimmune that causes inflammation of muscles resulting in weakness of the muscles of the hips, thighs, and extensor muscles of the neck.\u00a0 The condition is characterized by difficulty in rising from squatting, in kneeling, or in climbing and descending stairs.<\/p>\n

Polymyalgia Rhumatica<\/h3>\n

Polymyalgia rhumatica<\/em> is ten times more common in those over 80 years of age as in those aged 50 to 59 and twice as common in woman as in men.\u00a0 The condition is characterized by bilateral pain and stiffness of the shoulders and thighs.\u00a0 The discomfort my be so severe that it causes immobility, depression, weight loss, and fever.\u00a0 Fortunately, the condition responds dramatically to treatment with corticosteroids.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t

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Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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