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Chapter 23 - Gastrointestinal Disorders

from Section III - Care of the Elderly by Organ System

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 June 2022

By
Ekta Gupta  and
Anthony N. Kalloo
Edited by
Jan Busby-Whitehead ,
Samuel C. Durso ,
Christine Arenson ,
Rebecca Elon ,
Mary H. Palmer  and
William Reichel
Jan Busby-Whitehead
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Samuel C. Durso
Affiliation:
The Johns Hopkins University, Maryland
Christine Arenson
Affiliation:
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
Rebecca Elon
Affiliation:
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Mary H. Palmer
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
William Reichel
Affiliation:
Georgetown University Medical Center
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Summary

Aging leads to progressive deterioration of physiological function and predisposes to pathological processes. Common geriatric syndromes (such as depression, dementia, falls, mobility impairment, delirium, and osteoporosis), along with age-related impairment in appetite, absorption, and food intake, affect nutrition, symptom presentation, and response to therapy of common gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in the elderly. Age-associated changes in drug metabolism and polypharmacy can result in potential interactions and side effects of drugs used in the treatment of GI diseases, which in turn complicates their management. Polypharmacy, which is common in the elderly, can also exacerbate digestive symptoms. Elderly patients with neurocognitive decline often have atypical presentation of their GI disorders. These factors can make the diagnosis of GI diseases in the elderly more challenging, as they may require different management approaches. In this chapter, we discuss the common GI disorders that affect the elderly with special focus on age-related pathophysiology and clinical implications.

Keywords

gastrointestinal disorderselderlyagedgeriatricagingGI diseases
Type
Chapter
Information
Reichel's Care of the Elderly
Clinical Aspects of Aging
 , pp. 286 - 296
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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