Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations in older adults can be caused or alleviated by drug therapy. GI medications, such as proton pump inhibitors and histamine-2 receptor antagonists, are among the most commonly…
Colonic ulcerations can affect the entire colon and rectum, and have variable clinical presentation according to the anatomic location and underlying pathology. Diverse causes may lead to colonic ulceration, such…
Mesenteric ischemia in the elderly is an uncommon but often fatal disorder for which the prognosis depends entirely on the speed and accuracy of the diagnosis. A high index of…
Colonic diverticulosis is a common, usually asymptomatic, entity of Western countries, with an incidence that increases with age. When these diverticula become infected and inflamed, patients can present with a…
Fecal incontinence affects up to 20% of community-dwelling adults and more than 50% of nursing home residents, and is one of the major risk factors for elderly persons in the…
Acute and chronic diarrheal disorders are common problems at all ages. It has been estimated that 5% to 7% of the population has an episode of acute diarrhea each year…
Chronic constipation is a common problem in the elderly, with a variety of causes, including pelvic floor dysfunction, medication effects, and numerous age-specific conditions. A stepwise diagnostic and therapeutic approach…
Although the aging process per se can produce measurable changes in the normal oropharyngeal swallow, these changes alone are rarely sufficient to cause clinically apparent dysphagia. The causes of oropharyngeal…
This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which will grow in prevalence as the population ages. Prognosis of late-onset ulcerative colitis…
It has become apparent recently that celiac disease, once believed to be primarily a childhood disease, can affect people of any age. Epidemiologic studies have suggested that a substantial portion…
