“Gak! There’s something fishy with my diet!”
Diseases of the digestive tract in the elderly are associated with the physiological aging process of the organism and with pathological changes. Aging affects all functions of the digestive system: motor skills, secretion of enzymes and hormones, digestion and absorption.
In addition, the digestive system plays a key role in the absorption and metabolism of medicines that are often consumed in large amounts by the elderly and have digestive side effects.
Some age-related digestive diseases are more common in the elderly and may require appropriate behaviour in the diet of the elderly.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (oesophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your oesophagus.
Common signs and symptoms of GERD include:
A burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), usually after eating, which might be worse at night
Chest pain
Difficulty swallowing
Regurgitation of food or sour liquid
Sensation of a lump in your throat
In the elderly, GERD can be caused by, among other things, decreased saliva production, oesophageal motility disorders (associated with comorbidities such as Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases), and medicines using.
Dietary modification may be a form of acid reflux treatment that will reduce the severity and / or frequency of symptoms.
Recommended dietary changes:
Eating 5-6 small-volume meals regularly during the day
Eating food slowly, in a calm atmosphere (prevents swallowing air)
Chewing food carefully – it facilitates the digestion process, reduces gastric contractility (in a person with dental problems –lack of teeth, dentures – it is advisable to grind food)
Eating the last meal 3 hours before going to bed, because the lying position makes it difficult to clear the oesophagus from the gastrointestinal content
Avoiding excessive drinking with meals as this increases the amount of gastrointestinal content in the stomach
Applying an elimination diet – exclusion of products that cause ailments (e.g. citrus fruits, spicy spices, coffee, carbonated drinks, chocolate, cocoa and chocolate products, onion vegetables, fried products, fatty meats, cheese.
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