Getting older is a good thing on one hand. You get to enjoy life and have more time to be free. But on the other hand, health problems increase a bit. Especially as many of us get older, one of the main things we have to deal with is various problems with the digestive system. Although these problems can actually occur at any age, about 40% of older people experience some kind of stomach problem every year. So today, let's talk about what these digestive problems that come with age are, why they happen, and what you can do to keep your digestive system healthy.
Digestive problems that are common with age
As we age, our digestive system, like every other system in our body, undergoes changes. Let's take a look at some of the main problems that can arise as a result.
| Digestive problem | Simply put, this is what happens. |
|---|---|
| Constipation | As we age, bowel movements become more difficult due to slower bowel function, medications, drinking less water, and less exercise. |
| Diverticular Disease | Small pouches (pockets) that protrude from weak spots in the walls of the large intestine. If these become infected (diverticulitis), they can cause stomach pain and fever. |
| Stomach ulcers and painkillers | Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), especially for conditions like arthritis, increases the risk of stomach bleeding and ulcers. |
| Gastritis/esophageal inflammation (GERD) | Heartburn is caused by stomach acid flowing back up the esophagus. Some medications, obesity, and poor eating habits can cause this. |
| Difficulty swallowing | As you age, the function of the esophagus slows down, making it difficult to swallow food or drink. |
| Colon polyps | After the age of 50, the risk of developing small growths (polyps) in the colon increases. Some of these may become cancerous. |
Let's talk about these issues a little more in depth.
1. Constipation
This is the main problem that many people face after reaching the age of 60 or 70. Symptoms include difficulty defecating, not being able to go to the toilet for days, and stools that are dry and hard like rocks. There are several reasons for this.
- Changes in the digestive system: Think of it like squeezing a tube of toothpaste, our intestines contract and expand to push food forward. As we age, this process slows down a bit. Then, food takes longer to move through the intestines. At this time, more water is absorbed into the body from the stool. The result is that the stool becomes dry.
- Medications: As you get older, you have to take medications for various ailments. Some medications can cause constipation. For example, some medications for high blood pressure (such as `Calcium channel blockers`) are good for blood pressure, but can also cause constipation. Also, narcotic pain relievers given after surgery directly reduce bowel function.
- Lack of exercise: It's normal for the body to lose its ability to move as we age. But when we sit still without moving, our bowels also become less active, leading to constipation.
- Decreased water intake: Drinking plenty of water is essential to prevent constipation at any age. Elderly people are given diuretics for high blood pressure and heart disease. Then, because they have to go to the toilet more often, some people reduce their water intake. So, on the one hand, water is excreted for the medication, and on the other hand, they do not drink water. Then the body becomes dehydrated and constipation increases.
2. Stomach Ulcers and NSAIDs
Many of our seniors use painkillers for joint pain and arthritis. The risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding from the stomach is very high when these drugs called ``Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)`` are used continuously. Most of the time, older people do not feel pain from these ulcers. However, stomach bleeding can occur without any pain . If you vomit blood, if your stools are black, or if you see blood when you go to the toilet and clean it, see your doctor immediately .
3. Colon polyps and cancer risk
After the age of 50, there is a higher chance of developing polyps, a type of small growth in the colon. Some of these are normal growths, but some can turn into cancer. Most of the time, we don't realize we have them because they don't cause any symptoms.
That's why it's recommended that everyone over the age of 50 undergo a colonoscopy. This test can remove these growths before they become cancerous.
If someone in your family has had colon cancer, your doctor may recommend that you have this test even earlier.
So, how can you protect yourself from these digestive problems?
As with any disease, the best way to prevent it is to prevent it before it occurs. A healthy lifestyle is good for your gut and your entire body. Here are some simple things you can do.
- Be careful with your medications: Talk to your doctor about any medications you take that may be causing stomach upset. If you are taking NSAIDs for pain, take them with food at the lowest possible dose, and always consult your doctor. If you are taking any unnecessary medications, consult your doctor about stopping them.
- Stay active: Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, can protect you from many diseases. It can also help reduce constipation and reduce the risk of colon cancer.
- Eat foods rich in fiber: Include foods rich in fiber like fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and beans in your diet. These prevent constipation and also reduce the symptoms of diverticulosis.
- Drink plenty of water: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Don't wait until you feel thirsty. If you are taking diuretics, talk to your doctor about ways to avoid dehydration.
- Control your weight: Maintaining a healthy weight can help protect you from many diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. As your illness decreases, you will need to take less medication. This will also reduce the side effects of the medication.
- Get regular medical checkups: Tell your doctor about any symptoms you're having. Ask about age-appropriate tests.
We can't stop aging. But if we take care of our diet and lifestyle, we can stay away from many health problems and stay healthy and happy.
Take-Home Message
- Digestive problems such as constipation, gastritis (GERD), and stomach ulcers can become more common as you age.
- The medications you take, lack of exercise, and poor eating habits are the main causes of these conditions.
- Always talk to your doctor about all the medications you take and any symptoms you experience.
- Many of these problems can be prevented by eating a diet rich in fiber, drinking plenty of water, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight.
- After the age of 50, it is very important to undergo recommended medical examinations (e.g., colonoscopy) for early detection of diseases such as colon cancer, especially.
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