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Related Concept Videos

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
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Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...

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A Mouse Model of Intestinal Partial Obstruction
07:33

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Published on: March 5, 2018

Small intestinal disorders in the elderly.

Alan B R Thomson1

  • 1Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. alan.thomson@ualberta.ca

Best Practice & Research. Clinical Gastroenterology
|November 28, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Gastroenterology in the elderly requires specialized care due to altered physiology and complex conditions. Changes in digestion, absorption, and motility can lead to malnutrition and serious health issues in older adults.

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Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Gastroenterology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Gastrointestinal (GI) function typically decreases with age.
  • Elderly patients present unique challenges in symptom interpretation due to complex medical histories.
  • Altered GI physiology in older adults can exacerbate underlying conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the complexities of gastroenterology in the elderly population.
  • To highlight the impact of altered physiology on GI symptoms and diagnosis in seniors.
  • To underscore the increased risk of malnutrition due to maldigestion and malabsorption.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on geriatric gastroenterology.
  • Analysis of physiological changes affecting the GI tract in older individuals.
  • Discussion of diagnostic challenges and management strategies for elderly GI patients.

Main Results:

  • The elderly exhibit decreased GI tract function and adaptability.
  • Maldigestion, malabsorption, and altered motility contribute significantly to malnutrition in seniors.
  • Pathological GI alterations pose greater risks in the elderly compared to younger individuals.

Conclusions:

  • Specialized skills are essential for managing gastroenterological issues in the elderly.
  • Age-related GI changes can amplify the severity of diseases.
  • Understanding altered physiology is crucial for preventing malnutrition and serious complications in geriatric patients.