Also Read: The Gastrointestinal Tract, Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System
GIT Changes in Older Adults
Physiologic changes occur as individuals age, especially at the age of 65 and older. Overall changes of the digestive system involved in aging include:
- Oral Cavity and Pharynx: difficulty chewing and swallowing
- Injury, loss, or decay of teeth
- Atrophy of taste buds
- Saliva production and enzyme content (ptyalin, amylase) are decreased
- Esophagus: reflux and heartburn
- Decreased motility and slower emptying
- Weakened gag reflex
- Decreased resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter.
- Stomach: food intolerances, malabsorption, decreased Vitamin B12 absorption
- Degeneration and atrophy of gastric mucosal surfaces with decreased HCl production.
- Decreased secretion of gastric acids and most digestive enzymes
- Decreased gastric motility and emptying
- Small Intestine: decreased motility and transit time; resultant indigestion and constipation.
- Atrophy of muscle and mucosal surfaces.
- Thinning of villi and epithelial cells.
- Large Intestine: decreased motility and transit time; resultant indigestion and constipation, decreased absorption of nutrients (dextrose, fats, calcium, iron), fecal incontinence.
- Decreased mucus secretion (by the Goblet cells)
- Decreased elasticity of rectal walls (lower capacity)
- Decreased tone of internal anal sphincter
- Slower and duller nerve impulses in the rectal area