GERIATRIC HEALTH: DIGESTIVE TROUBLES

COMMON AGE-RELATED DIGESTIVE ISSUES

• GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). This condition occurs when the upper part of the digestive tract is not functioning to its fullest and allows the flow of stomach acids into the esophagus. Acid Reflux is the prime symptom. Other symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation, sore throat and cough. Dietary and lifestyle changes can help keep this condition under check. Certain foods trigger the condition more than others. To begin with one must understand what these foods are and avoid them as much as possible. Most importantly avoid lying down soon after a meal. Maintaining a healthy body weight, reduced use of tobacco smoking and lesser alcohol consumption will also help manage GERD better as you age.
• Dysphagia. This refers to difficulty in swallowing which is another common complaint amongst the elderly. This could be due to lesser saliva production, weakened nerves and muscles in the mouth and throat or reduced strength of the upper esophageal sphincter. These are all related to aging and cannot be totally avoided. Maintaining good oral health, drinking adequate amounts of water and slower deliberate chewing can help ease the problem.
• Diarrhea. When your digestive tract pushes food out too fast, the intestine does not get enough time to absorb fluids which causes loose stools. This could be a result of certain medications or medical conditions such as lactose intolerance, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. This condition can be managed using medication depending on the cause and through eating right.

• Constipation. As one ages the digestive tract ages too – this means often it takes longer for the digestive tract to move food through the body. The many muscles involved slow down, which causes food to move more slowly through the colon – hence more water is absorbed from the fecal matter and this leads to constipation. Inactivity, reduced fluid intake, a low-fibre diet and certain medications can cause constipation. Getting adequate exercise into the daily routine, combined with a diet that has high fibre foods and drinking enough water can help avoid constipation. If these lifestyle changes do not help, medication will.
• Diverticular Disease. This occurs when small pouches in the lining of the colon bulge out along the walls of the intestines. Diverticular Disease is essentially a condition seen only in the elderly (60 years and above). These out-pouchings called diverticular are typically 0.5-1 cm in diameter and in rare cases grow larger. When the diverticular are not inflamed the condition is called Diverticulosis. Moderate exercise, more fluids and adequate fibre intake will help manage this condition. When the diverticular get inflamed to cause cramping, diarrhea and bowel disorders it is called Diverticulitis. A low-fibre, liquid diet is recommended for Diverticulitis along with medication.
• Polyps and Colorectal Cancer. After the age of 50, there are more chances of developing polyps in the colon. Regular colonoscopy (once every ten years) can help the doctor remove any polyps before they develop and begin to cause problems. Polyps can be benign or cancerous and there is no known reason why they develop in the first place – it could be related to dietery intake or genetics. It is best to have them removed. If you have a family history of colon cancer, it’s best to consult with your doctor about cancer screening.