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NORMAL ABNORMAL

Decreased bladder capacity Urine and fecal incontinence

Lower core body temperature Hypothyroidism

Heart valves may be thicker and stiffer from lipid

deposits and collagen cross-linking

Anemia

Mild systolic heart murmors Onychogryphosis (thickening and distortion of nail

plate)

Cilia less effective (making risk for respiratory

infection higher)

Onycholysis (fungal infection)

Lower sperm motility in males Incompetent glottis (resulting in breathlessness in

speech)

Slight delay in reflex response Memory loss

Loss of hair in lower extremities Falling

Decreased spoken word recognition Sudden confusion

Reduced pupillary response Constipation

Decreased color discrimination High or low WBC count

Hearing loss Vitamin deficiencies

Joint pain due to age-related changes in cartilage Decrease in folic acid

Loss of height due to age-related changes in

cartilage

Reduced speed of RBC production

Decrease bone marrow reserve

Slight decrease in T cells

Slight increase in B cells

Decrease in B12

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Male: cholesterol rises after age 80

Female: cholesterol rises after menopause

Decrease in amount of total protein (albumin and

globulin)

Reduced muscle mass (results in decrease

creatinine levels)

Decrease in specific gravity (due to 33-50% decline

in nephrons)

Decrease in liver mass and blood flow (reduces

metabolic rate of meds)

Diminished salivary secretion

Decreased gastric acid

Decreased body water