The gerontology is a science about aging (from the Greek "gerontos" - the old man and Lagos - knowledge, the doctrine). She studies the nature and the reasons of aging, looks for methods of fight against this phenomenon, is engaged in search of ways of rejuvenation. The founder of gerontology in Russia is I.I. Mechnikov, and the successor of his work - A.A. Bogomolets.
The gerontology covers problems, connected with process of aging and the state of health of elderly people. The most important problem of gerontology is definition of the changes caused by age, but not other factors (social or cultural). This science very closely is connected with medicine.
Now the gerontology studies the reasons of aging not only at the level of bodies, but also at the molecular and cellular level; great attention is paid to studying processes of nervous regulation in an organism of the elderly person. The modern gerontology undertakes the tasks connected with increase in life expectancy and to improvement of its quality. Achievement of active and creative longevity of the person remains a main objective of this science.
Experts in gerontology can be referred to three categories. Some carry out researches and develop the theory of aging, others work in the field of applied gerontology: help aged through carrying out inspections, organize programs of social security and improvement, and the third are engaged in development of complexes of medicines for elderly. First of all researches in gerontology go for studying the causes of presenilation, research of rational organization of labor of people of the senior age groups. Optimum food allowances are developed for elderly, the modes of physical activity are selected. Study in gerontology and the causes of presenilation. Its symptoms is the feeling of constant weakness, internal discomfort at people of middle and advanced age (in the absence of diseases). Such people quickly are tired, have sleep disorders, various all body pains. The set of age changes can be shown before approach of an old age. So, in 50-59 years, gross violations of a metabolism and functions of some bodies can be shown, presenilation cases even are revealed in 35-year-old. Therefore to begin to apply a prevention complex to an organism it is necessary already at such age. It will help to prevent to prevent approach of presenilation. It is necessary to know that any scientific developments in this area will be useless if the person himself does not aspire to a healthy lifestyle which has to become a habit. It is the big work demanding a lot of time and forces.