Our population is ageing. People are living for longer and with more complex medical problems, and this is placing increasing pressure on health services. It has never been more important for clinicians to understand what constitutes normal ageing. An understanding of normal ageing can help us to anticipate future healthcare needs, promote health and independence, and differentiate age-appropriate physiology from pathology. This article aims to highlight how ageing affects different body systems. Special consideration is then given to how such changes affect the use of medications and the interpretation of laboratory tests in older adults.
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