PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES DURING AGING

Abstract

Population aging is a growing global phenomenon, marked by a significant increase in the proportion of older adults, driven by declining fertility rates and rising life expectancy. In Brazil, this process is occurring rapidly, bringing important implications for public health and social organization. Aging is characterized by progressive, heterogeneous, and multifactorial changes that affect various body systems, including the nervous, sensory, immune, endocrine, cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, urinary, and integumentary systems. These changes involve functional decline, structural alterations, and reduced adaptive capacity, directly impacting individuals’ autonomy, quality of life, and functionality. Among other aspects, there is a reduction in neural plasticity, sensory changes (vision, hearing, smell, and taste), sleep fragmentation, immunosenescence, hormonal imbalances, decreased cardiorespiratory capacity, and loss of muscle mass and bone density. Additionally, socioeconomic, cultural, and individual factors significantly influence how aging manifests. Thus, understanding the physiological changes associated with senescence is essential for developing strategies for prevention, health promotion, and maintenance of functionality, contributing to healthy and active aging.