Chapter on Frailty and Death Mechanisms

Frailty increases a person's susceptibility to negative health outcomes after a stressor.

Frailty involves multiple interconnected body systems that decline.

Frailty accelerates the natural decline associated with aging.

Frailty involves weakening of key bodily systems, including brain, endocrine system, immunity and more.

Symptoms include falls, delirium, fluctuating disability, increased care needs and hospital/long-term care admissions.

The complete cessation of bodily functions in a dead human body.

The body undergoes various changes after death (e.g., rigor mortis, putrefaction).

Cells try to adjust to stressful conditions, sometimes successfully, other times not.

A decrease in cell size, often seen in skeletal muscle, heart, or brain due to reduced workload or nutrient supply.

An increase in cell size due to increased workload or hormonal stimulation, often seen in muscle cells.

An increase in the number of cells due to increased cellular division, often seen in tissues with high regeneration capacity.

Reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another, often due to chronic irritation or injury.

Abnormal changes in cell size, shape, and organization, potentially leading to cancer.

Cellular damage caused by lack of oxygen, often due to reduced blood flow (ischemia).

Cellular damage that occurs after restoration of blood flow following a period of ischemia, due to the influx of oxygen and inflammatory cells.

Highly reactive molecules that can damage cells by stealing electrons, often contributing to various diseases.

Heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium can damage human cells and tissues. They interfere with essential cellular processes, leading to various health problems.

Inflammation is a vital defense mechanism but can also cause harm. While it helps heal injuries, prolonged inflammation can damage tissues and contribute to chronic diseases.

Cellular swelling is a common sign of cell injury. It occurs when cells can't maintain their normal fluid balance, leading to a buildup of water.

Senescence is a state of cellular aging where cells stop dividing and become inactive. It's a normal part of aging but contributes to age-related diseases.

Inflammaging is the low-grade, chronic inflammation that increases with age. It can contribute to various age-related diseases and functional decline.

Maximal life span is the theoretical maximum lifespan for a species (e.g., 120 years for humans). Life expectancy is the average lifespan in a population, which is influenced by factors like healthcare and lifestyle.

Frailty is a state of increased vulnerability to negative health outcomes in older adults. It involves physical, cognitive, and social decline, making individuals more susceptible to falls, disabilities, and death.

Postmortem changes are the natural changes that occur in the body after death. These include rigor mortis (stiffening) and putrefaction (decomposition) but do not involve inflammation.