Complications of immobility syndrome in older people

The immobility syndrome has serious consequences on the general condition and functionality of the elderly. Once the lack of exercise and movement is established, for whatever reason, the elderly may present various complications:

• In the cardiovascular system:
  • orthostatic hypotension, decreased exercise tolerance, reduced circulating volume and cardiac functional reserve, redundant decrease in exercise capacity, dyspnea or suffocation, deep vein thrombosis, and thromboembolism, especially pulmonary embolism.
• In the respiratory system:
  • Decreased vital respiratory capacity (which further reduces tolerance to exercise), increased mucus production and decreased ciliary mobility, which together with the lower cough reflex facilitate the establishment of mucus plugs that can close bronchi, aspiration pneumonia.
• In the musculoskeletal system:
  • muscle weakness, disuse atrophy, contractures, joint stiffness and deformity, tendon retractions, vicious postures, osteoporosis due to immobilization that increases the risk of fractures.
• In the nervous and psychological system:
  • Sensory deprivation due to lack of stimulation (isolation outside and inside the home), greater cognitive impairment, pictures of confusional syndrome, impaired balance and coordination with fear of falls, attention disorders and lack of motivation, depression.
• In the digestive system:
  • Loss of appetite, swallowing disorders and digestive slowness, tendency to gastroesophageal reflux, constipation and fetal impaction.
• In the genitourinary system:
  • Urinary retention, incontinence, stones, urinary infections.
• In metabolism and hormones:
  • Loss of minerals and trace elements (sodium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium), increased insulin resistance with a tendency to hyperglycemia, immune deficiencies and alteration of its response.
• On the skin:
  • painful and erythematous skin areas, maceration and atrophy, pressure ulcers. They are the main complication of immobility.
• In the social area:
  • Isolation from society, incapacitation for self-care, exhaustion of the caregiver, institutionalization.

These complications cause, due to cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal problems, a vicious cycle of exercise intolerance and immobility from which it is very difficult to get out.

Other alterations cause complications that can compromise life and extraordinarily complicate the functional state of the elderly, such as pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism, heart and respiratory failure, fecal impactions due to constipation, respiratory and urinary infections, falls due to hypotension, lack of balance and / or joint and musculotendinous limitations, etc.

• Other complications, without causing such serious problems, reduce the capacity of autonomy and functionality of the elderly person. In any case, all these effects of lack of mobility cause and facilitate the elderly to slide down the slope that leads to frailty and dependency.