Gastrointestinal tract - changes associated with ageing, Biology

Assignment Help:

Gastrointestinal Tract - Changes Associated with ageing?

Many path physiological factors limit the adequacy of the dietary intake of elderly. Loss of natural dentition may occur due to tooth decay and gum disease. Loose painful teeth and ill-fitting dentures can result in mastication difficulty. Swallowing of food without proper mechanical chewing further leads to digestive problems. Certain other age-related changes include a decline in the sense of taste and smell which result in the lessening of appetite and reduction in the quantity of food consumed. The number of taste buds decreases with ageing which reduce sensitivity to taste and food may seem to be 'less appetizing' and have lost its 'natural taste'. Decreased secretion of saliva leads to dryness of mouth, thus making swallowing difficult. In the food passages, there is an increase in non- propulsive contraction which may lead to impaired absorption of nutrients. The incidence of gastric movement and gastric emptying diminishes progressively with age. Further, there is a decrease in the amount of acid and other digestive juices secreted by the digestive tract. Pancreatic enzyme section is not very much altered in old age. The food stays in stomach for longer period of time which gives a feeling of fullness and heaviness. Fat absorption is slightly impaired. In the small intestine, the blood flow is reduced by 40% and absorptive capacity by 30%. Carbohydrates and fat absorption decreases to a lesser extent with age and the protein absorption remains intact. The volume, acidity and pepsin content of the gastric juice is sometimes reduced. In turn, there is an interference with the absorption of calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin B12.

The motility of large intestine and elasticity of the rectal wall decreases with advancing age due to decrease in muscle activity and constipation is likely to be a frequent complaint.Fats may be poorly tolerated because they further retard gastric emptying. This happens as the pancreatic production of lipase (fat-digesting enzyme) is inadequate for satisfactory hydrolysis and there may be a reduced production of bile due to chronic biliary impairment.

 


Related Discussions:- Gastrointestinal tract - changes associated with ageing

Nutrition, what is the mode of nutrition in tape worm

what is the mode of nutrition in tape worm

Explain adverse effects of ganciclovir, Explain Adverse Effects of ganciclo...

Explain Adverse Effects of ganciclovir Ganciclovir is teratogenic, carcinogenic and mutagenic and causes aspermatogenesis in animals. Granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia, whi

Explain treatment options for ailing and failing implants, Treatment option...

Treatment options for ailing and failing implants are varied. The clinician should start conservatively and progress to more aggressive therapy. The overall goal of therapy is

Explain gum karaya, Gum Karaya Gum karaya (sterculia gum) is the...

Gum Karaya Gum karaya (sterculia gum) is the dried gummy exudate from Sterculia urens Roxburgh and other species of Sterculia (Family: Sterculiaceae) or from Cochlosperm

Phosphate group from an atp molecule, A molecule that acts by transferring ...

A molecule that acts by transferring a phosphate group from an ATP molecule to another molecule would be called: A) hydrolase. B) lipase. C) transferase. D) ligase. E) kinase.

Cell Division, What is the difference between Mitosis and Meosis?

What is the difference between Mitosis and Meosis?

Role of echocardiography, Echocardiography is a very important tool in diag...

Echocardiography is a very important tool in diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and is used  virtually in all categories of cardiovascular diseases. There are certain areas where

How cereal and bread important for human -nutritional factor, How Cereal an...

How Cereal and Bread important for Human -Nutritional Factor? Cereals form the staple of the Indian diet. These grains are the main source of energy in the Indian diet

Types of polysaccharides on the basis of functionality, FUNCTIONAL L Y PO...

FUNCTIONAL L Y POLYSACCHARIDES ARE OF THREE TYPES - Storage, Structural, Mucopolysaccharides Storag e polysaccharides function as reserve food which can be hydrolyzed

Explain antigens, Explain Antigens ? A blood type, or group, is based ...

Explain Antigens ? A blood type, or group, is based upon the presence or absence of certain substances called antigens on the surface of the red blood cells. Antigens are subs

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd