Gastrointestinal tract in the elderly

The incidence of gastrointestinal disorders increases with age. This may be related to the process of aging or changes in lifestyle, but also to the occurance of acute or chronic blood loss, resulting in severe and possibly life-threatening clinical conditions. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are linked to the consideration of typical clinical symptoms. With increasing age, we observe an increase in atypical clinical presentation of diseases. This is related in part to the existence of comorbid conditions, but also to changes in the perception of clinical symptoms by the individual patient. Clinical symptoms may also be attenuated or caused by drug therapy. Diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms should therefore be carefully adapted to the individual needs of the patient.