Digestive Conditions in Older Adults
Talking to your doctor about symptoms related to your gut troubles can feel embarrassing, but digestive conditions are common among older adults in the United States. Many diseases cause similar effects, such as changes to bowel movements or abdominal discomfort, but sharing your concerns with your primary care physician is the first step to addressing a potential digestive condition.
Digestive Conditions in Seniors
Digestive conditions can develop in anyone but are more common in older adults. A few noteworthy conditions include irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, celiac disease, and gastroparesis.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition of the large intestine. Many people living with IBS have mild symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, and changes in bowel movement. In more severe cases, a person may experience weight loss, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, unexplained vomiting, or trouble swallowing. The exact cause of IBS is still unknown, but infection in the intestines, early life stress, or changes in gut microbes can all contribute to developing IBS.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is when stomach acid irritates the esophagus lining, causing heartburn, chest pain, or trouble swallowing. If left untreated, it could cause an inflammation of the tissue in the esophagus, narrowing of the esophagus, or damage to the esophagus. It’s common to experience acid reflux occasionally, but constant irritation or heartburn could be a sign of GERD. If you have GERD, try to avoid smoking, eating large meals, or drinking excessive alcohol, as this could worsen your symptoms.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an immune disorder that damages the small intestine causing diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, gloating, gas, constipation, and abdominal pain. Celiac disease is also called gluten-sensitive enteropathy because the symptoms develop as a gluten-related reaction. Over time, if the body is continually exposed to gluten, it can damage the lining of the small intestine and prevent it from absorbing nutrients. There is no cure for celiac disease, but most people can manage it with a gluten-free diet.
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is when nerves and muscles in the stomach don’t work correctly. This disorder can slow or stop food movement as it travels from the stomach to the small intestine. When the stomach cannot empty, it can cause vomiting, nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, acid reflux, malnutrition, change in blood sugar, or a consistent feeling of fullness.
The case of gastroparesis can vary, but it usually involves damage to the vagus nerve, which controls the stomach muscles. Common causes of vagus nerve damage are diabetes or stomach surgery. Additional risk factors for gastroparesis include infection, hypothyroidism, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. If left untreated, gastroparesis can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and changes in blood sugar levels.
Treating Digestive Conditions
The first step to treating digestive issues is understanding and treating the underlying cause, such as irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease. Additional treatment options include diet changes, medications, and surgery.
- Diet changes- Many individuals find diet changes to improve their digestive symptoms significantly. Foods can trigger people differently, so it’s best to work with a registered dietitian to figure out the best meal plan for you.
- Medications- Many digestive conditions may require prescription medication to treat the underlying cause or to help manage symptoms, such as pain, constipation, or nausea.
- Stay hydrated- Dehydration can cause intense symptoms in various digestive conditions. Keeping your body hydrated can help the digestive system work more effectively and decrease your chances of constipation.
How Visiting Angels Can Help
If you’re an older adult living with digestive challenges that make it difficult to care for yourself at home, the team at Visiting Angels can help. Our professional caregivers help with non-medical tasks like light housekeeping, personal grooming, meal preparations, medication reminders, and transportation.
We serve those in Prince William and Western Fairfax counties, including Fort Belvoir and Lorton. Contact us online or call 703.530.8811 to learn more about our at-home care services and schedule your complimentary consultation.