Aging changes in the lungs

The lungs have two main functions. One is to get oxygen from the air into the body. The other is to remove carbon dioxide from the body. Your body needs oxygen to work properly. Carbon dioxide is a gas your body produces when it uses oxygen.

During breathing, air enters and exits the lungs. When you breathe in (inhale), air flows through the airways into the lungs. The airways are made of stretchy tissue. Bands of muscle and other support tissue wrap around each airway to help keep them open.

Air keeps flowing into the lungs until it fills tiny air sacs called alveoli. Blood circulates around these air sacs through tiny blood vessels called capillaries. Oxygen crosses into the bloodstream at the place where the blood vessels and air sacs meet. This is also where carbon dioxide crosses from the bloodstream into the lungs to be breathed out (exhaled).

AGING CHANGES IN YOUR BODY AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE LUNGS

Changes to the bones and muscles of the chest and spine:

• Bones become thinner and change shape. This can change the shape of your ribcage. As a result, your ribcage may not expand and contract as well during breathing.
• The muscle that supports your breathing, the diaphragm, becomes weakened. This weakness may prevent you from breathing enough air in or out.

These changes in your bones and muscles may lower the oxygen level in your body. Also, less carbon dioxide may be removed from your body. Symptoms such as tiredness and shortness of breath can result.

Changes to lung tissue:

• Muscles and other tissues that are near your airways may lose their ability to keep the airways completely open. This causes the airways to close easily.
• Aging also causes the air sacs to lose their shape and become baggy.

These changes in lung tissue can allow air to get trapped in your lungs. Too little oxygen may enter your blood vessels and less carbon dioxide may be removed. This makes it hard to breathe.

Changes to the nervous system:

• The part of the brain that controls breathing may lose some of its function, weakening the automatic breathing functions. When this happens, your lungs are not able to get enough oxygen. Not enough carbon dioxide may leave the lungs. Breathing may get more difficult.
• Nerves in your airways that trigger coughing become less sensitive. Large amounts of particles like smoke or germs may collect in the lungs and may be hard to cough up.

Changes to the immune system:

• Your immune system can get weaker. This means your body is less able to fight lung infections and other diseases.
• Your lungs are also less able to recover after exposure to smoke or other harmful particles.

COMMON PROBLEMS

As a result of these changes, older people are at increased risk for:

• Lung infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis

  Pneumonia

  Pneumonia is a breathing (respiratory) condition in which there is an infection of the lung. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ...

  

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  Bronchitis

  Acute bronchitis is swelling and inflamed tissue in the bronchi, the main passages that carry air to the lungs. This swelling narrows the airways, w...

  

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• Shortness of breath
• Low oxygen level
• Abnormal breathing patterns, resulting in problems such as sleep apnea (episodes of stopped breathing during sleep)

  Sleep apnea

  Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a problem in which your breathing pauses during sleep. This occurs because of narrowed or blocked airways.

  

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PREVENTION

To decrease the effects of aging on the lungs:

• Do not smoke. Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke. Smoking and smoke exposure harm the lungs and speeds up lung aging.
• Do physical exercise to improve lung function.
• Get up and move. Lying in bed or sitting for long periods allows mucus to collect in the lungs. This puts you at risk of lung infections. This is especially true right after surgery or when you are ill.

OTHER CHANGES RELATED TO AGING

As you grow older, you will have other changes, including:

• In organs, tissues, and cells

  In organs, tissues, and cells

  All vital organs begin to lose some function as you age. Aging changes occur in all of the body's cells, tissues, and organs, and these changes affe...

  

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• In the bones, muscles, and joints

  In the bones, muscles, and joints

  Changes in posture and gait (walking pattern) are common with aging. The skeleton provides support and structure to the body. Joints are the areas w...

  

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• In the heart and blood vessels

  In the heart and blood vessels

  Some changes in the heart and blood vessels normally occur with age. However, many other changes that are common with aging are due to or worsened b...

  

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• In vital signs

  In vital signs

  Vital signs include body temperature, heart rate (pulse), breathing (respiratory) rate, and blood pressure. As you age, your vital signs may change,...

  

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