Digestive Health and Aging

03/22/2016
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Digestive Health:
What Seniors Should Know About Digestive Disorders

 

Aging puts the body at higher risk for an assortment of health ailments and conditions. With age, many bodily functions slow down, including the digestive tract — it just might not work as efficiently or as quickly as it used to. The muscles in the digestive tract become stiffer, weaker, and less efficient. Tissues are also more likely to become damaged because new cells aren’t forming as quickly as they once did.

As a result, digestive tract problems that
can occur as people age include:

  • Heartburn
  • Peptic ulcers
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Gas
  • Stomach pain
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Fecal incontinence
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

It’s important for seniors to seek help for any digestive discomforts and not simply brush them off as part of aging. Digestive disorders may be symptoms of bigger issues such as gallstones, diverticular disease or colon cancer. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, close to 40 percent of all older adults experience digestive symptoms. Though many digestive symptoms can be remedied through dietary lifestyle changes or medication, others require intensive medical treatment. For best results, seek your doctor’s guidance once digestive symptoms arise.

Three of the more serious digestive disorders are:

  • Gallstones
    Gallstones are small, pebble-like masses made of hardened digestive fluid that develop in the gallbladder. There are two types of gallstones: 1) cholesterol stones, made from hardened cholesterol, and 2) pigment stones, made from bilirubin (a substance found in the digestive fluid, bile). If left untreated, gallstones can cause blockage of bile, inflammation in the gallbladder and damage or infections in the gallbladder, liver or pancreas. In worst cases, gallstones result in death. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, adults over age 60 are at highest risk for gallstones. Additional risk factors include excess body weight, rapid weight loss, family history of gallstones, diabetes and cholesterol-lowering drugs.
  • Diverticular Disease
    Loss of muscle strength during the aging process may lead to diverticular disease, a condition in which bulging pouches form in the large intestine and cause painful inflammation. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, more than 50 percent of adults over age 70 in the United States have these pouches, though 80 percent experience no symptoms. When symptoms do arise, they may include digestive irregularities, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, bloating, fever or gas. Elderly adults who adhere to a low-fiber or high-fat diet and those who are obese or sedentary are at further heightened risk. Diverticular disease is treatable, generally through healthy dietary lifestyle, antibiotics or, in some cases, surgical procedures.
  • Colon Cancer
    Colon cancer, or cancer of the large intestine, affects elderly adults more so than any other population. According to the Mayo Clinic, roughly 90 percent of colon cancer is found in adults age 50 or older. In most cases, colon cancer begins with the development of small, non-cancerous cell masses known as polyps. Over time, polyps may become cancerous. Regular physical exams that include screening for polyps and colon cancer are considered significant preventative tools for the disease. Initial symptoms of colon cancer may include diarrhea and/or constipation, rectal bleeding or bloody stool, abdominal pain, fatigue, weakness or unexplained weight loss.

Fortunately, your digestive tract doesn't have to become a victim of age. Like the rest of your body, it can often be protected with a healthy lifestyle. If you want to keep your digestive tract in good shape and keep uncomfortable symptoms at bay, try these tips that can make digestion a little easier:

  • Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water
  • Limit fats in your diet and maintain a healthy body weight
  • Load your diet with fiber
  • Stick to healthy portion sizes and avoid overeating
  • Get regular exercise

Healthy living will not only keep your digestive tract healthy but also reduce your need for some of those side-effect-causing medications. You'll feel young, happy, and healthy — both inside and out.

 

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BLOG Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Writer: Ryan Allen