In older adults, how does the total lung capacity typically change?

In older adults, total lung capacity generally decreases due to several physiological changes that occur with aging. As individuals age, their lung tissue tends to lose elasticity, which reduces the ability of the lungs to expand fully. Additionally, the stiffness of the chest wall increases, which further restricts lung expansion. The overall strength of respiratory muscles may diminish over time, leading to less effective ventilation and reduced lung capacity.

These age-related changes can result in a decrease in forced vital capacity and residual volume, impacting the total lung capacity measurement. Consequently, while some components of lung volume, such as residual volume, may increase, the overall trend is toward a reduction in total lung capacity in the aging population. Understanding this decline in pulmonary function is important for managing care in older patients, particularly in settings that involve sedation or anesthesia, where respiratory function is critical.