these expescd at age 5. Vhe effect was more
dividuals >40 yeurs old have revealed the cardiac
changes expected with aging: arteriosclerosis heart
disease with occasional cardiac decompensation,
Auricular fibrillation has been noted in a few |
people; rheumatic heart disease in only two.
Peripheral vasular discases (thrombophlebitis,
peripheral venous Giscase, hemorrhoids) appear to
shawed similar trends. Subsequently, the extent of
studies showed peripheral pulses to be exceptionally good, even in older people and in diabetics
(achult) statures and weights, measured at age 21
— ar older, of subjects exposed to radiation al age
17 indicated that those exposed in Hirashima
ie
a
altained a imean height markedly lower than nor.
inal and what the devree of retardation diminished
with increasing ave al exposure, being greatest in
prominent is boys. Vhe preliminary tobulations
af growth data ia the Marshallese children!649
be Jess common than in Americans. Oscillumetric
the thyroid injury dacunented in the Marshallese
Gee below), Nu !ueiic, metabolic, or nutritional
forin of heart disease has been seen.
tion that growth retardation rellegted prumarily ae
2. Arthritis
~
the results of diipaiied the roid fuacion. [eis an
hetpated that when adult inal) anthropometric
Many Marshallese > 40 vears of age complain
lacasurements become available, fardher evalus:
of joint svinptutas in the acts and legs and to a
tion of the growth pattern of the Marshallese children (including further assessment ad the cllect of
lesser extent in the lower back. Many, particularly
the older ones, have complained also of vague
muscle pains in the arms and legs. Some older
thyroid hormone administradan) will be posible.
G. DEGENERATIVE DISEASES
*
been given to signs of agiig and tothe incidence
af cardiovascular discases, arthritis, and other dee
generative disciases,
1. Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases appear to be no more
prevalent anion the Marshallese thai in Aaericanoer other populations, and no dilcrence was
found between their incidences in the exposed and
Whesposed groups. Ely pertension appears to be
sonebat bess prevalent amony the Marshallese
Lit among Niierigana, Blood pressures >> 140,00
have been recorded in only about 9% of te people,
and the increasing percentage of older people in
the study groups does nod sccm ta have raised the
incidence of ivpertcnsion. Mianof the younger
people. particuharty females. have notably lower
blood pressures (0-100/55-04), he generally
lower blood pressures in the Marshatlese have been
thoaght to be related to lower dictary salt) ins
take but the wradually increasing use of im-
ported foods of greater salt content has caused no
apparcet increase in lvpertensioa, Serum sodiuns
aud patassiiais levels have usually been in the nore
mab range. Routing chest s rays aad ECG"s on ine
De ae a ee ee
plaints do not have definite bone ch anges. Arthritis
sects no fore common in the exposed than in the
wnex posed population. and ils veneral incidence
does not dilfer greatly from tbat among Amerie
cans. Rhcuntated arciritis has rarely been scen.
Exaiminanoan of the sera for “rheumatic factor”
. gave posidive results in only a few cases (3 of 194
tested in 1959)"
3. Nephrosclerosis
Primary kidneydiseas - has not been noted frequently, but aephrasclerpsis has occasionally been
seen complicating cardiovascul.u disease,
4. Aging
Radiationin sublethal doses may reduce longevity in animals and man. loduction of malignant
transformation is wel. documented and accounts
fur most of the carly deaths, However, develop.
ment of premature senescence with associated depenerative discases and imunodeticicncy, as a
late elect of ex posure,is also believed to account for
sone degree oflife shortening in animalts.4¢4" For
humans, define proof of such eifects is lacking,
the only ducumented life-shortening effect being
related to malignancies“)! Jy the Japanese bomb
survivors, the correlationof life-shortening with
Fe ey aed ee ee
Watashi:
an ade
. 1
site
t
. cd
ratiated aniuiis have shown neresses bath in
general aging phenomena and in such diseases;
therefore, in these studies careful consideration has
sary for cooking over open fires. NX rays show many
of the above complaints to be assaciated with
ostcuardiritic Changes; but any people with cou.
See
The aging process is accompanied by an ine
creased incidence of devenerative diseases, andir-
women develop marked kyphosis in the lower
thoracic-lumbar region which may be related
partly to the squatting or stooping position neces-
a
th,
chikleen provided the hoists for the prescat assurnps
tome
24
”
aa
4.
t
ae
‘*.
STORER TSaPE
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