[6] Aging of the GI System Flashcards
[Effect of Age]
Taste
Suppressed
Which of the tastes are suppressed?
Sweet and Salty
[“Maybe” For the Exam Question]
Which of the tastes are enhanced?
Are they truly enhanced?
Sour and Bitter
No, but since the others are diminished it becomes more evident
Cause of Halitosis in Older People
Dry Mouth
Cause of Bad Teeth in Older People
Normal aging process for teeth to fall out
[“Maybe” For the Exam Question]
Describe: Tertiary Contractions of Esophagus
Dysfunctional
Isolated
Non-peristaltic
Simultaneous
What is lost in the swallowing phase as you age?
Secondary Peristalsis
[“Maybe” For the Exam Question]
What occurs in UES Pressure as you age?
What happens to LES Pressure?
Decrease in UES Pressure
No change in LES Pressure
Common Cause of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Elderly
Shorter intra-abdominal Lower Esophageal Sphincter
Common Complication of GERD
Reflux Hiatal Hernia
Effect on Stomach Emptying Time
Slower
What causes Achlorhydria
Decrease in Parietal Cells
Common Stomach Disorders in the Elderly
Ulceration and Gastritis
Changes in Small Intestine
Decreased Villus Height
Decreased Calcium Absorption
HOWEVER, no Clinically important changes
Major Change in Elderly Large Intestine
Decreased muscular strength leading to Diverticula formation
Differentiate: True and False Diverticula
True ones would contain all layers of the bowel wall
False ones have no muscular layer, just serosa and mucosa
[“Maybe” For the Exam Question]
Which type of Diverticula are weaker and more dangerous?
False Diverticula
Changes: Large Intestine
Decreased transit time
Decreased sensation of anorectal distention
Common Diseases in the Large Intestine
Constipation
[“Maybe” For the Exam Question]
What color does the liver become as you age?
Why?
Brown, because of Lipofuscin
How come the liver becomes smaller as you age?
Fibrosis
What liver enzyme levels drop as you age?
Bilirubin, everything else is normal
[Liver Detoxification]
How do Liver Phase 1 Reactions change as you age?
What about Phase 2?
Phase 1: Linear Decrease
Phase 2: No Change
Is there an increase or decrease of gallstone productions as you age?
Increase as a result of lowered amounts of bile acid synthesis
Decreased Bile Acid would cause an increase in what cholesterol levels?
LDL
Changes of the Pancreas with Age
Pancreatic duct dilation
Lowered weight
No clinically significant changes
[“Maybe” For the Exam Question]
Types of Nutrients in Phase 1
Antioxidants
Cause of Anorexia of Aging
Poor Taste Decreased Salvation Poor Dentition Depression Presbyesophagus Sarcopenia Decreased Metabolism Neglect
Most Frequent GI Complaint in the Elderly
Constipation
Common Medication that Causes Constipation in the Elderly
Aluminum Hydroxide
