The body's ability to compensate for stress decreases with age while which of the following changes occurs?

The body's ability to compensate for stress decreases with age while which of the following changes occurs?

• A. Physiologic sources of stress increase
• B. Physiologic sources of stress decrease
• C. Psychological stress increases
• D. Physical activity increases

Answer: (A)

As people age, their physiologic reserve—the ability of organ systems to adapt to stress—gradually declines. That means the body has less capacity to handle added demands. When the amount of physiologic stress acting on the body increases—such as illness, dehydration, fever, electrolyte imbalances, medications that challenge homeostasis, or the stress of surgery—the diminished reserve becomes overwhelmed more easily. As a result, the body's ability to compensate for stress decreases with age. If physiologic stress were to decrease or if physical activity increased, compensation would generally be easier or improved, not more difficult. Psychological stress can change with age, but the factor most directly explaining the reduced compensatory capacity is the rise in physiologic stress on already-reduced reserves.

As people age, their physiologic reserve—the ability of organ systems to adapt to stress—gradually declines. That means the body has less capacity to handle added demands. When the amount of physiologic stress acting on the body increases—such as illness, dehydration, fever, electrolyte imbalances, medications that challenge homeostasis, or the stress of surgery—the diminished reserve becomes overwhelmed more easily. As a result, the body's ability to compensate for stress decreases with age. If physiologic stress were to decrease or if physical activity increased, compensation would generally be easier or improved, not more difficult. Psychological stress can change with age, but the factor most directly explaining the reduced compensatory capacity is the rise in physiologic stress on already-reduced reserves.