Statistics abound demonstrating the aging of the population,
and this comes as no news to physicians caring
for an increasing number of elderly patients. This group
experiences the expected age-related physiologic declines,
including systems critical to integrative functions
such as immunologic, neurologic, and metabolic systems.
Although an increased prevalence of several common
gastrointestinal disorders occurs in the elderly person,
aging per se appears to have less direct effect on
most gastrointestinal functions, in large part because of
the functional reserve of the gastrointestinal tract. Although
irritable bowel symptoms decrease with aging,
there seems to be an increase in many gastrointestinal
disorders of function and motility. The gastroenterologist
will frequently encounter elderly patients with complaints
of dysphagia, anorexia, dyspepsia, and disorders
of colonic function. Understanding age-related changes
in gastrointestinal physiology and effects of common
comorbid illnesses enhances the ability to evaluate and
treat these common, troublesome symptoms