INTRODUCTION

As human beings grow older, they go through different phases or stages of life. It is helpful to
understand aging in the context of these phases. A life course is the period from birth to
death, including a sequence of predictable life events such as physical maturation. Each
phase comes with different responsibilities and expectations, which of course vary by
individual and culture. Children love to play and learn, looking forward to becoming
preteens. As preteens begin to test their independence, they are eager to become teenagers.
Teenagers anticipate the promises and challenges of adulthood. Adults become focused on
creating families, building careers, and experiencing the world as independent people.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sociology/chapter/the-process-of-aging/ Death proved to
be the end of all of these processes
This work shall expose us to the meaning and cause of aging and death in human beings.
Aging
As Riley (1978) notes, aging is a lifelong process and entails maturation and change on physical,
psychological, and social levels. Riley, Matilda White. 1978. “Aging, Social Change, and the
Power of Ideas.” Daedalus 107:39–52.
Aging is a series of biological changes that follow a natural progression from birth through
maturity to old age and death. For most people, advancing age is characterized by graying or
thinning hair, loss of height, wrinkling of the skin, and decreased muscular strength. Still, an
active lifestyle, including both exercise and sound nutrition, can contribute greatly to achieving a
long and productive life. Genetics (inherited physical characteristics) also appears to play a role in
the process of aging and death. People whose parents or grandparents live to old age seem to have
a better chance of living long lives themselves.

Great strides have been made in increasing the average life expectancy in humans in the United
States. This is due largely to the elimination of many diseases of early childhood and young
adulthood and to the advanced methods of treating diseases that in the past would have resulted in
early death. However, the maximum potential life span (how long an organism can exist) of
humans appears to remain the same—about 85 years—regardless of efforts to expand it.

Every species has a different normal life span. In most species, death occurs not long after the
reproductive phase of life ends. This is obviously not the case for humans. However, women do
experience physical changes when they are past their childbearing years. Levels of the hormone
estrogen begin to fall, which results in the gradual cessation, or stopping, of menstruation.
(Hormones are chemicals produced by the body that regulate various bodily functions.
Menstruation is the monthly shedding of the lining of the uterus [womb] in nonpregnant females.)
After menopause (when menstruation ceases and childbearing is no longer possible), women
produce less facial skin oil (which leads to wrinkling) and are at greater risk of developing
osteoporosis (brittle bones). Men continue to produce nearly the same levels of facial oils and are
thus less prone to early wrinkling.
Biological Changes
An elderly man and woman are shown sitting on a bench. Aging can be a visible, public
experience. Many people recognize the signs of aging and, because of the meanings that culture
assigns to these changes, believe that being older means being in physical decline. Many older
people, however, remain healthy, active, and happy.

Each person experiences age-related changes based on many factors. Biological factors such as
molecular and cellular changes are called primary aging, while aging that occurs due to
controllable factors such as lack of physical exercise and poor diet is called secondary aging
(Whitbourne and Whitbourne 2010). Whitbourne, Susan and Stacey Whitbourne. 2010. Adult
Development and Aging: Biopsychosocial Perspectives. 4th ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Effects of aging
As we age, our cells become less efficient and our bodies become less able to carry out their
normal functions. Muscles lose strength, hearing and vision become less acute, reflex times slow
down, lung capacity decreases, and the heart's ability to pump blood may be affected. In addition,
the immune system weakens, making it less able to fight infection and disease.

Diseases associated with aging

Diseases associated with aging include cancer, cardiovascular (or heart) disease, diabetes mellitus,
Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's. Diabetes is usually characterized by decreased production of insulin.
(Insulin is a hormone essential to the metabolism of carbohydrates, sugars, and starches.)
Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease of the brain cells that causes progressive loss of memory and
concentration, as well as impaired learning and judgment. It primarily affects people over 65 years
of age. Parkinson's is a crippling disease in which the muscles become increasingly rigid,
movement—such as walking—is difficult, and involuntary tremors (shakiness) develop.

Death
Death is marked by the end of blood circulation, the end of oxygen transport to organs and tissues,
the end of brain function, and overall organ failure. The diagnosis of death can occur legally when
breathing and heartbeat have stopped and when the pupils are unresponsive to light.
causes of death
Other causes of death include stroke, accidents, infectious diseases, murder, suicide, and
euthanasia (ending a hopelessly sick person's life for reasons of mercy). Loss of life can also result
from genetic diseases, bacterial and viral infections, drug use, and alcoholism.
Conclusion
Aging and death are characteristics of every living things and not only man. Man as a rational
being according to Heidegger is a being towards death. We live to die one day. Aging and death
remain an inevitable characteristics of man.

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%20series%20of,to%20old%20age%20and%20death.&text=In%20most%20species%2C
%20death%20occurs,not%20the%20case%20for%20humans.