Life cycle explained; Set timeline explains human aging process

Health care professionals must be aware of the changes that a person undergoes physically and mentally at the various stages of life to provide adequate medical care.

     The seven stages of the life cycle are neonates, infants, toddlers, school-age children, adolescents, early adults, middle adults, and older adults, according to Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured Advantage Package Twelfth Edition AAOS.

     Cole Hellwig sophomore says, “the life cycle is an important concept to understand because it not only helps people understand what is happening to their body as they age. But it also helps medical professionals treat and fix injuries and illnesses.”  

     Neonates are babies who have just been born to one month old and infants are ages one month to one year old. In the first year of life, there is a long and substantial list of developmental changes. Neonates have the highest pulse rates in the life span development process ranging from 100 to 180 beats per minute. Their respirations are also the highest with 30 to 60 breaths per minute. Neonates are primary nose breathers, said AAOS Twelfth Edition. 

     Infants six months and younger are particularly susceptible to nasal congestion, which can lead to viral upper respiratory infections. The rib cage of an infant is less rigid and the ribs sit horizontally, which explains the distinctive diaphragmatic breathing typically seen in infants.

     Toddlers are ages one to three years old and preschoolers are ages three to six. The cardiovascular system of a toddler or preschooler is not drastically different from an adult. Neuromuscular growth drastically increases at this age, according to AAOS Twelfth Edition. 

     School-age children are ages six to twelve. At this age children’s physical traits and functions continue to develop rapidly. Baby teeth are replaced with permanent teeth, said AAOS Twelfth Edition. 

     Adolescents are ages 12 to 18. At this point in the life cycle, adolescents’ vital signs begin to level off within the adult ranges. Teens of this age will experience a two to three-year growth spurt. An important milestone of this age range is the second sexual development, according to the same source AAOS Twelfth Edition. 

     Early adults are ages 19 to 40. From 19 to 25 years of age, men and women typically reach their physical peak. In the latter years of early adulthood, aging gradually becomes evident, according to the same source AAOS Twelfth Edition.                                                     

     Middle adults are 41 to 60 years old. At this age, the aging process continues to take its toll on the body. Middle adults become more susceptible to vision and hearing loss, cardiovascular health becomes a growing concern and the incidence of cancer increases. They may also experience increased cholesterol levels, decreased cardiac efficiency, and difficulties with weight control, according to AAOS Twelfth Edition.    

     Older adults are 61 years and older. Life expectancy is continually changing. It went from people making it to the age of 47 in the 1900s to approximately 78 years of age with a possibility of aging to approximately 120 years old. At this point in the life cycle many of the major organ efficiencies are beginning to decrease while also decreasing in size, said AAOS Twelfth Edition.  

      Junior Tyler Huneke says, “Knowing the life cycle is an important process in being ready and knowing what to expect when time passes and a person ages.”