The gastrointestinal function of the elderly will slowly decline, what are the specific aspects?

Abdominal distension in the elderly may be gastrointestinal dysfunction, gastrointestinal organic disease, gastrointestinal functional disease, and other systemic diseases. Gastrointestinal disorders: The gastrointestinal function of the elderly will gradually weaken, and there may be indigestion, flatulence and other gastric distention.

Organic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: Organic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract such as gastrointestinal tumors, chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, gastric prolapse, and pyloric obstruction can lead to abdominal distension caused by gastrointestinal gas. Functional diseases of the gastrointestinal tract:

Irritable bowel syndrome, constipation type, neurasthenia, etc. Examination is relatively normal in patients with these disorders, but patients may have abdominal pain and bloating.

Other systemic diseases: liver cancer, cirrhosis, emphysema, dilated cardiomyopathy and other diseases can cause gastrointestinal congestion, slow peristalsis, and abdominal distension. After the elderly are distended, the hospital should see a doctor as soon as possible, and it is necessary to rule out physiological factors, ask the doctor to make a clear diagnosis, and take targeted ** to avoid delaying the condition.

After aging, there are degenerative changes in the structure of each organ, and the body functions gradually decline. Functional changes occur in multiple systems throughout the body and can induce severe organic lesions. If you find that the elderly have the following symptoms at home, you should go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible to avoid delaying the best time.

<> as the elderly age, the digestive function of the gastrointestinal tract will gradually weaken, and the amount of food they eat will not be much. A sudden increase in appetite in older people is not a good sign. This is most likely hyperthyroidism or diabetes.

Hyperthyroidism is also hyperthyroidism, thyroxine secretion is relatively vigorous, metabolism and consumption are fast, and it is easy to appear hungry, sweating and insomnia, as well as temper and eating too much; Diabetic patients have insufficient insulin secretion, and the body cannot make full use of sugar to produce energy, resulting in an increase in blood sugar, which is mainly manifested by overeating, polydipsia, polyuria, and weight loss.

Generally, people with high mental tension, mood swings, and anxiety are prone to hand tremors, which is a normal phenomenon and does not require special treatment. Excluding the above factors, a high degree of suspicion should be taken for involuntary hand tremors, which are divided into static and dynamic, and need to be carefully identified and actively cooperated with doctors**. Hand tremors when muscles relax, disappear or lessen with exercise, which is most likely Parkinson's disease; Hand tremors are common in brain lesions.

With the increase of age, the auditory system gradually degenerates, and it is easy to have a decline in auditory function, resulting in sensory deafness, the main symptoms of which are not low hearing, reluctance to listen to high voices, and aversion to stay in a noisy environment. If the elderly have rapid hearing loss, accompanied by earache, purulent or watery discharge, inflammation of the auditory system or a tumor should be highly suspected.

The gastrointestinal function of the elderly will gradually weaken, and there may be indigestion, stomach flatulence and other stomach distention. Older people may experience symptoms of indigestion such as bloating, lack of appetite, and constipation.

Symptoms of gastrointestinal decline in older adults include early satiety and bloating. Early satiety refers to the feeling of fullness quickly after eating, leading to a decrease in food intake.

The gastrointestinal function of the elderly will slowly decline, and the specific manifestations are that their appetite will decrease, and they often like to eat something soft.

With the growth of age, the structure of the digestive tract of the elderly has changed, and the function has also been affected to a certain extent, mainly in the following aspects:

1) Changes in motor function: The motor function of the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine of the elderly has changed to varying degrees. It is mainly manifested in the partial or total loss of teeth, and the gradual deterioration of the structure and function of muscles and bones, resulting in decreased chewing function, poor swallowing function, and food that is not easy to chew.

Therefore, the elderly are limited in food choices, and can only eat soft and refined foods, which can easily cause indigestion, constipation and even corresponding nutrient deficiencies. In addition, the peristalsis of the esophagus and stomach and the function of transporting food are weakened, the gastric tension and emptying speed are also weakened, the small intestine and large intestine are atrophied, the muscle layer is thinned, the contractility is reduced, the peristalsis is reduced, and the rectal feeling of pressure on the contents is also reduced. The above-mentioned changes in gastrointestinal motility will cause digestive dysfunction and constipation in the elderly.

2) Changes in absorption function: the absorption function of the elderly is reduced, which is mainly manifested in the small intestine to reduce the absorption of xylose, calcium, iron, vitamin B1, vitamin B12, vitamin A, carotene, folic acid and fat. In addition to the decrease in the secretion of gastric acid and various digestive enzymes, the causes of the decline of absorption function in the elderly are related to the poor blood supply to the intestinal wall (the elderly often have intestinal atherosclerosis or heart disease, which makes the blood perfusion insufficient), the atrophy of the intestinal wall mucosa, and the decrease in the number of small intestinal epithelial cells.

3) Changes in secretion function: The changes in secretion function in the elderly are mainly manifested in the decrease in the secretion of gastric acid and various digestive enzymes, and their activity is also reduced, which leads to the decline of the chemical digestion of food in the elderly, which in turn affects the absorption function. It must be emphasized that although the secretion function of the elderly is worse than that of young people, the digestion of carbohydrates and fats is generally not affected.

4) Histological changes: The histological changes of the digestive tract in the elderly are mainly manifested in hyperkeratosis of the oral mucosa, the reduction and atrophy of the number of taste buds on the tongue, the loss or wear of teeth, and the degeneration of periodontal tissues; Various glands of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines are atrophied, smooth muscles are atrophied, mucous membranes and muscle layers are thinned, the stomach and colon are dilated, internal organs are prone to sagging, and diverticula are prone to occur in the esophagus, small intestine, and colon. Histological degeneration of the digestive tract in the elderly leads to a decrease in digestive function and absorption function in the elderly.