Digestive diseases are common in the elderly

MSc. Doan Bich Hang, Department of Gastroenterology – Hepatobiliary – Pancreas, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that aging is not a direct cause of digestive diseases, but it affects the functioning of the intestines, reducing the functioning of organs. Older people often have chronic diseases and have to take many medications. These factors increase the risk of digestive diseases.

Dr. Hang pointed out some common digestive diseases in the elderly.

Chronic constipation

The rate of constipation clearly increases after age 65 due to reduced colon motility, weaker pelvic floor muscles, lack of exercise, not drinking enough water and a diet lacking fiber. Some medications to treat high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, depression, pain relief, or iron supplements also increase the risk of constipation. Prolonged constipation can promote the development of hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and rectal prolapse, significantly affecting quality of life.

Gastroesophageal reflux

In the elderly, the lower esophageal sphincter weakens, hiatal hernia is more common, and gastric emptying slows, increasing the risk of gastroesophageal reflux.

According to Dr. Hang, elderly people often do not have a burning feeling behind the sternum when experiencing reflux, instead there are signs of prolonged cough, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, chest pain or recurrent pneumonia due to inhaling reflux fluid. These symptoms can easily be mistaken for respiratory or cardiovascular disease.

Stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding

Older people with underlying cardiovascular and bone and joint diseases often have to use anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers (NSAIDs). These are factors that increase the risk of stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, anemia, fatigue, dizziness or black stools. If not treated promptly, gastrointestinal bleeding can be life-threatening, especially in people with many underlying diseases, according to Dr. Hang.

Diseases related to colon diverticula

Colonic diverticula in the elderly may be related to weakening of the colon wall due to age and prolonged pressure during constipation. Most patients have no symptoms, but when the diverticula become inflamed, it can cause abdominal pain, fever, bowel disorders or gastrointestinal bleeding.

Gallstones

The aging process and reduced mobility reduce the gallbladder’s ability to contract, creating conditions for stone formation. Patients may have pain in the right lower quadrant after a greasy meal, bloating, nausea, and indigestion. Stones cause bile obstruction or infection, which can lead to fever, jaundice, and severe abdominal pain.

Gastrointestinal cancer

The risk of esophageal, stomach, colorectal and pancreatic cancer all increases with age. Dr. Hang said this is a group of diseases that are easy to miss because the initial symptoms are quite vague such as loss of appetite, bloating, weight loss, anemia or changes in bowel habits.

Elderly people with signs lasting more than two weeks or a family history of digestive cancer, chronic hepatitis, smoking, or drinking a lot of alcohol should be periodically examined and screened according to a doctor’s advice.

Doctors advise older people to maintain a balanced diet, supplement enough fiber, drink enough water, exercise daily, limit the arbitrarily long-term use of painkillers, and have regular health check-ups. If signs such as unexplained weight loss, choking, vomiting blood, black or bloody stools, prolonged abdominal pain, jaundice, or yellow eyes appear, the patient needs to go to a medical facility for examination.