Growing old has advantages and disadvantages. One simple advantage of growing old is having more time to relax and enjoy life. On the other side, a simple disadvantage is the increase in health challenges, gastrointestinal tract disorders being among them.
Gastrointestinal tract disorders can occur at any age; however, they are more common in adults. Common gastrointestinal tract disorders that come with ae include;
As a person grows old, these symptoms become more frequent. Difficulty swallowing can be reduced through good dental health, eating slowly, thorough chewing, sitting upright when eating and using dentures that fit properly.
Acid reflux is the main symptom of GERD. Other symptoms of GERD include persistent sore throat, bad breath, heartburn, acid or food regurgitation, chronic coughing and chest pain.
Management of GERD and Dyspepsia
Management of GERD and dyspepsia is the same. Both require combining lifestyle and dietary modifications and sometimes may need medication. The first step is to identify foods that trigger symptoms or worsen them.
Foods that are likely to trigger GERD and FD include alcohol, caffeine, fatty foods and spicy foods. However, different foods affect people differently. Such foods should be avoided or consumed in less quantities to control symptoms.
In addition, reducing or quitting smoking cigarettes and maintaining a healthy weight can also help manage both disorders. Nicotine and being obese can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to not function as it should. It is also important to elevate the head while sleeping and to avoid sleeping immediately after eating.
Heartburn is reduced using medications that neutralize the acid such as Pepto-Bismol and Maalox which are used for a short period of time. The other type of medication used include histamoine-2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors. These drugs reduce heartburn by suppressing the secretion of acid.
To avoid the damage that comes with the use of these medications, a person should take PP1s and H2RAs to reduce acid in the stomach or those that protect the stomach by acting as a mucosal shield.
Those outside this range but with no symptoms are fine. A healthy bowel movement is one that passes smoothly, is not painful and should not be too hard and lumpy or too loose and watery.
In short, when you have a normal bowel movement, it should not be uncomfortably urgent nor should you have to strain when it’s time to go.
Diarrhea is caused by many things; some causes are from chronic disease while others are temporary. Causes of diarrhea include celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, as a side effect of certain medications, infection and lactose intolerance.
managing diarrhea
Medications used to manage diarrhea can be classified into two. Bulk formers soak up water in the bowel to reduce stool frequency and looseness. Bulk formers include bile salt binders and psyllium or fibre.
The other type is those that change the muscle activity of the intestine which slows down transit time and allow the intestines to absorb more water from the stool. Examples of such medications are non-narcotic anti diarrheal agents, anti-spasmodic agents and loperamide.
Symptoms of constipation cause back pain, general malaise and poor appetite. Constipation is caused by insufficient physical activity, irritable bowel syndrome, certain supplements, a diet that is too low in fluid and fibre, as a side effect of certain medications. Constipation is more common in older adults although it can affect anyone.
managing constipation
Dietary and lifestyle changes can help reduce cases of constipation. Drinking plenty of fluids and eating food rich in fibre can add bulk to the stool making it move more easily through the digestive tract.
Constipation can be treated using prunes. They are high in fibre and contain lots of nutrients. Exercising can also help move stool more quickly. Complications of constipation include hemorrhoids. Complications can be reduced by not straining and taking time in the bathroom.
In cases where lifestyle changes cannot help, there are lots of medications that can speed up transit time to prevent and relieve constipation. Lubricants, stool softeners, hyperosmotic and stimulants are examples of such medications. Enemas should only be used when recommended by a doctor.
Severe cases of constipation can be treated using linaclotide to improve stool consistency. This medicine works by increasing fluid secretion in the intestines.
These pouchings mostly occur in the lower part of the colon. This particular disorder mostly affects the elderly.
Symptoms of this disorder include cramping, bloating, diarrhea, fever, intense pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen, bleeding and bowel irritability. It can be treated by taking a low-fibre or liquid diet to allow the bowel to rest, surgery when necessary and sometimes antibiotics.
Early diagnosis of colorectal cancer leads to extremely effective treatment. Colorectal cancer begins as a polyp and will take up to 10 years to develop into colorectal cancer. It is for this reason that doctors recommend a coloscopy every 10 years.
Doing coloscopy helps doctors to identify and remove any polyps before they develop into colorectal cancer. Annual stool check can also help diagnose colorectal cancer early enough. If the doctor identifies anything abnormal, they may recommend additional tests.
People experiencing significant health issues and those above 75 years can stop doing colon screening.
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome vary in frequency and duration form one person to another. Treatment options for irritable bowel syndrome include:
Symptoms of lactose intolerance include gas, diarrhea, bloating and abdominal cramps. Symptoms vary from one person to another. Treatment for lactose intolerance involves taking enzyme supplements that can help break down lactose. Replacing regular milk with lactose free milk may also help.
When a person has peptic ulcers, this protective layer is usually reduced. Reduction of the protective layer of mucus may also be caused by old age, long-term use of certain medications and alcoholism.
Symptoms of peptic ulcer disease include nausea, vomiting, bloating, acid reflux and burning sensation in the upper abdomen. Symptoms of severe PUD include heavy vomiting that may be tinged with blood, weight loss, tarry-black stool and severe pain in the upper abdomen.
Treatment options for peptic ulcer disease include prescription drugs and a healthy diet. In rare cases, surgical removal of the ulcers may be recommended.
Diagnosis of gallstones is done by endoscopy and ultrasound. Endoscopy is done to detect small gallstones.
In most cases, gallstones have no symptoms. However, people usually experience pain in the upper right abdomen especially after consuming fatty foods. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, indigestion, burping, clay-colored stool and dark urine.
Treatment options for gallstones depends on the symptoms. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove gallstones. In cases where gallstones develop on the bile ducts, endoscopy may be done.
Chronic pancreatitis is less common and occurs over months and years. Causes of pancreatitis include;
Symptoms of pancreatitis usually start suddenly and are characterized by nausea, abdominal pain that worsens with eating and may extend to the back and vomiting. Complications that may arise from acute pancreatitis include diabetes, kidney failure, pseudocyst and necrotizing pancreatitis.
Chronic pancreatitis may lead to oily stools and involuntary weight loss. Diagnosis of pancreatitis is done through blood tests that are done to measure the level of pancreatic enzymes.
Ultrasounds and a CT scan may also be done. Gene tests can also be done for rare genetic forms of chronic pancreatitis. Treatment for pancreatitis is done at the hospital and may need hospitalization. Treatment will include pain medication, fasting and infusion of IV fluids.
Causes of liver disease may differ from one person to another. Causes of liver disease usually affect how the liver functions. Liver disease can be diagnosed with a blood test done by the primary care giver or the gastroenterologist. It can also be diagnosed using CT scans and MRIs.
Symptoms of liver disease vary depending on the cause from one person to the other. General symptoms of liver disease are persistent fatigue, swollen legs, ankles, abdomen, dark urine, jaundice, itchy skin, black or bloody stool and loss of appetite.
Treatment of liver disease involves lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol consumption, drinking plenty of water, maintaining a healthy weight and maintaining a diet that is low in fats.
Treatment options will depend on the underlying cause. In some cases, the doctor will prescribe blood pressure drugs, steroids, antibiotics, multivitamins and antiviral drugs. In rare cases, surgery might be necessary to remove the diseased/damaged part of the liver. In cases where there is no other viable treatment options, the doctor may consider liver transplant.
warning signs of gastrointestinal tract disorders
If a person experiences the following symptoms, they should see the doctor;
Prevention of gastrointestinal tract disorders is necessary. The following tips can help protect the digestive tract and help maintain smooth running of digestion;
Managing weight is easy if one limits the amount of fat in their diet, choose whole foods instead of processed foods and choosing healthy portions.
The risk for developing digestive disorders and diseases increase as a person ages. However, they can be easily avoided by eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly and seeing the doctor as soon as you notice any abrupt changes in the digestive system can go along way in helping you maintain a healthy digestive tract.