Diarrhoea and Constipation in Geriatric Practice is a text primarily for geriatricians and other health professionals, such as general practitioners, who are involved in the care of the elderly. The elderly comprise a significant and increasing segment of the population in both the industrialized and the developing countries. The problem of diarrhoea and constipation in this aging population is likely to attract increasing attention. The extent of these problems and their social and physical implications are perhaps not sufficiently recognized. The common problem of constipation in the elderly is discussed, with emphasis on practical management issues.

The text covers the important conditions associated with diarrhoea and updates the information on pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment. The vulnerability of the elderly with regard to acquiring diarrhoea and to the complications is also highlighted.

There is a greater emphasis on diarrhoea in the text. This is because the aetiology is extensive, encompassing many infections of the gastrointestinal tract (which are relevant in the developing world) and includes systemic diseases of which diarrhoea is a manifestation. Diverse disciplines are spanned: from immunology and physiology to microbiology, nutrition and psychiatry.

The separate chapter on coeliac disease is to highlight the importance of this condition. The diagnosis may sometimes not be considered in the elderly.

The aim of this book is to provide information to help understand the many facets of diarrhoea and to assist in the prevention, diagnosis and management of diarrhoea in the elderly.