Lungs and Aging

Lungs lose elasticity as you age. Compliance is increased: at same pressure, lung volume is higher. Mechanism: loss of elastins and collagen; change in type of collagen.

Other parameters like muscle strength, airway resistance do not change that much.

Age-related changes:

• Decline in FEV1. (Although peak flow relatively preserved, there is reduced late flow)
• Vital capacity decreases since you can't get all the air out. PaO2 decreases with aging
• Decline of PaO2, into 80s commonly
• Collapse of peripheral airways due to loss of elastic recoil
• Decline in mucociliary function

Age-related problems resemble COPD. However, healthy lungs should last a lifetime.