title: Small intestinal disorders in the elderly.
abstract: The topic of gastroenterology (GI) in the elderly has been extensively reviewed. It takes special skill, patience and insight to interview the elderly, as well as to appreciate their altered physiology and interpretation of their presenting symptoms and signs, often against an extreme background of complex medical problems. The maldigestion and malabsorption coupled with altered motility contributes to the development of malnutrition. There generally a decrease of function of the GI tract, but there may be loss of adaptability in response to changes in diet or nutritional stress. Pathological alterations which might lead to minor overall intestinal functional variations in the young because of a normal process of adaptation, may lead to much more serious events in the elderly.
authors: Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. alan.thomson@ualberta.ca
authors: Alan B R
authors: AB
authors: Thomson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008871:Microvilli / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation