The GI System and Aging Cathy Gibbs BSN, RN
Aging and the Digestive System Physiological changes that occur as we grow older Loss of appetite Difficulty swallowing Decreased organ activity Digestive disorders Tumors and cancer
What happens when we get older Some of the common changes that we thought represented aging have turned out to be the result of disease Consider for a moment the difference between the maximum heart rates of younger and older adults. The older adult rate is lower than that of the younger adult. Infections or other diseases, most of which might not be life threatening in the young, are the usual cause of death in old age. Injuries or infections that only slowed you down when you were young and immortal, can cause disability and dependency as you age.
Die of Old Age? No one dies of old age, not even Jeanne Calment in France who died at age 122.
Illness and Adaptability An acute illness can cause a cascade of health problems that can lead to rapid declines in health and function. Older adults are more vulnerable to very cold or very hot weather because they are unable to adapt their body temperature as effectively.
Aging at what Pace? Everyone ages differently and the rate of aging can vary markedly in individuals Further age-related changes in one system are not predictive of changes in other systems. i.e., you may have vision problems and yet still have a healthy heart. Carrying this further, an older person does not age faster that someone who is young. A Physically fit 50 yr old can have the functional capacity of a thirty year old, while someone who smokes and is sedentary may function as if they were several decades older.
Aging A process of gradual and spontaneous change, resulting in maturation through childhood, puberty, and young adulthood and then decline through middle and late age.
Senescence The process by which the capacity for cell division, growth, and function is lost over time, ultimately leading to an incompatibility with life.
Longevity The number of years an average person of a particular age is expected to continue living.
Six Basic Steps to Health and Longevity Breathe -Deeply, slowly, smoothly. Drink Water -Sipping or drink slowly over the course of the day. Eat Right -Right-suited to your unique needs, eating in a quiet relaxed atmosphere to enhance your life balance. Exercise -Appropriate to your physiologic needs and abilities, regularly and in moderation. Sleep -Essential to recharge both mind and body. Meditate -Time to calm and focus inwardly.
Aging and the Gastrointestinal System
New Problem or Aging? Generally, the physiological changes of an aging digestive system are minor. So with this in mind it is important to recognize and treat most new GI problems in healthy older people, rather than ascribing symptoms to aging.
The Mouth Taste sensation decreases Increasingly difficult to discriminate identify food by taste Drugs and diseases affect taste Poor dentition is a major contributor to impaired chewing and reduced caloric intake Tooth loss in the elderly A modest decrease in saliva production
The Esophagus The upper esophageal sphincter pressure decreases with age with the result of a delay in swallowing–induced relaxation Gastroesophogeal reflux (GERD) is more common in elderly The impact of numerous medications can cause esophageal injury
The Stomach No significant effect on secretion of acid and pepsin Reductions in gastric acid secretion attributes to a condition known as atrophic gastritis, a condition unique to the elderly. While atrophic gastritis may be asymptomatic the resulting process can increase the risk of stomach cancer and recent evidence indicates that it is the result of prolonged infestation of H. Pylori or Campylobacter, and is common in older adults.
Gerontological Variations Abdominal musculature diminishes in mass and tone Increased fat deposition in abdominal area Altered GI motility resulting in indigestion and altered absorption Decreased gastric acid secretion Increased incidence of malignant disease Changes in bowel habits