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Gastrointestinal and Liver Changes in the Elderly

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Abstract

Within the gastrointestinal tract, a number of subtle changes occur with aging. An understanding of these expected changes will help the clinician decide whether the clinical presentation is expected, or due to a pathological process. The foregut undergoes some significant alterations in physiology which lead to clinically significant phenomenon in the elderly. These include an increased risk of aspiration and malnutrition. Age-related changes in the colon include a significantly increased incidence of diverticular disease, constipation, and colitis. The hepatobiliary system also undergoes normal physiological alteration with age. Overall, there is little clinical impairement of liver function. Similarly, the gallbladder continues to function in a normal fashion, although there is an increased incidence of gallstones. With regardto the ­pancreas, the data is not clear as to whether age related changes are the determinant of alterations in pancreatic function.

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  1. Michael E. DeBakey Surgery Department, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Vadim Sherman

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    Mark R. Katlic

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Sherman, V., Primomo, J.A., Brunicardi, F.C. (2011). Gastrointestinal and Liver Changes in the Elderly. In: Katlic, M. (eds) Cardiothoracic Surgery in the Elderly. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0892-6_23

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