Disorders of the digestive system in the elderly

Article Abstract:

Many changes in the digestive system occur with age. Few of these are directly due to changes in the lining, or epithelium, of the digestive tract. The ability of the epithelium to secrete acid and enzymes, and to absorb nutrients, is enormous; the loss of some capacity is simply not noticed. However, changes in the immune system, the connective tissues, and the nervous system can all take their toll on normal digestive function. Disorders of swallowing cause both malnutrition and pneumonia following food aspiration. Unlike all other age groups, the incidence of gastric ulcers that require hospitalization has not decreased. Gallstones are a common problem; the incidence of gallstones rises with age and is greater among women. Despite numerous changes in the liver which occur with advancing age, the major liver problem in the aged is alcoholic liver disease. Constipation and fecal impaction are common among the elderly, often due to decreased rectal sensation or neurologic impairment. Other age-related gastrointestinal problems are vascular ectasias, small lesions in the cecum which bleed and may result in anemia. The elderly patient presents a somewhat complicated picture to the practitioner, since symptoms may be absent or reduced, the clinical course of a condition may proceed rapidly, and preexisting diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, or osteoporosis make treatment more difficult. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Demographic aspects, Gastrointestinal diseases, Age factors in disease, Disease age factors, Digestive system diseases

---

A controlled trial in intensive care units of selective decontamination of the digestive tract with nonabsorbable antibiotics

Article Abstract:

Ventilator patients whose digestive tracts were treated with antibiotics did not have fewer infections or greater survival than patients who did not receive antibiotics. Of 445 patients who were on mechanical ventilators in intensive care units (ICU), 220 received non-absorbable antibiotics and 225 received a placebo. Antibiotics given to the patients were tobramycin, colistin sulfate and amphotericin B. Seventy-five (34%) of the patients who received antibiotics died in the ICU, compared to 67 (30%) in the placebo group. Twenty-six patients in the antibiotic group and 33 patients in the placebo group developed pneumonia in the ICU. The patients receiving antibiotics stayed in the ICU for an average of 18 days, compared to 19 days for the patients in the placebo group, and the length of time the two groups were on ventilators was approximately the same. The total cost of antibiotics for the antibiotic group was approximately twice the cost for the placebo group.

Antibiotics, Prevention, Nosocomial infections, Cross infection

---

Caloric intake and aging

Article Abstract:

Reducing the number of calories eaten may prolong life. Since the 1930's, animal experiments have shown that laboratory rats live longer when their caloric intake is restricted. They also have less risk of developing age-related diseases. This has also been shown in many other animals. A low metabolic rate also seems to be linked to longevity. The metabolic rate includes the metabolism of oxygen, which produces free radicals. These free radicals can damage proteins, fats and DNA, which could lead to age-related diseases and early death. Obesity is also linked to increased disease and mortality rates.

Low-calorie diet, Low calorie diet

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Deletions of interferon genes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Loss of Smad3 in acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia
• Abstracts: Reforming the health care system. U.S. medical practice before Medicare and now - differences and consequences
• Abstracts: Reversal of the arrhythmogenic effects of long-term saturated fatty acid intake by dietary n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids
• Abstracts: Metabolism and nutritional adaptation to altered intakes of energy substrates
• Abstracts: Dietary patterns, gastrointestinal complaints, and nutrition knowledge of recreational triathletes

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.