The Impact of Ageing on Digestive Health: What Changes to Expect and How to Cope

How Ageing Changes Your Digestive System

Age affects your digestive system earlier than you might think. Changes can start around age 40 and become more common by 75. These changes affect everything from your mouth to your colon.

Digestion starts in your mouth - where ageing reduces saliva production. Less saliva makes it harder to chew and swallow food. This can lead to poor nutrition. Most people over the age of 80 lose their sense of smell. This loss affects how much they enjoy food and their appetite.

The oesophagus slows down as you age. Food moves more slowly because oesophageal contractions become weaker. The muscles at both ends of the oesophagus lose their strength. This explains why older adults often experience reflux.

Your stomach changes in important ways, too. Its walls become less flexible, so it can't hold as much food. Many older people don't produce enough stomach acid. This affects how well they absorb vitamin B12 and how their medications work.

Age changes how your intestines work. The small intestine shows few changes, but the colon works differently. It moves waste more slowly, which often leads to constipation.

Your gut microbiome changes a lot as you age:

• Fewer good bacteria

• More harmful bacteria

• Weaker gut barrier

• Different metabolic functions

These bacterial changes might affect how well you age and how long you live. Research shows that older adults who have more diverse gut bacteria tend to be healthier and live longer.

Your body's ability to absorb nutrients changes with age. It takes in less calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. Your body absorbs less B12 because you produce less stomach acid. Calcium absorption drops because your intestines don't respond to vitamin D as well.

These changes help explain why digestive problems become more common as we age. This knowledge helps create better ways to manage these issues.

Common Digestive Issues in Older Adults

Digestive conditions become more prevalent as people age. Early symptom recognition and proper care make a significant difference in managing these conditions.

• Constipation: Constipation leads the list of digestive problems among seniors. People over 65 experience this condition, and women experience it more often. 

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): GERD ranks as the primary upper gastrointestinal disorder in older adults. Seniors often show unexpected symptoms instead of typical heartburn. These symptoms include chest pain, swallowing difficulties, breathing problems, nausea, and vomiting. Though seniors report fewer symptoms, they tend to develop more serious complications such as erosive oesophagitis, oesophageal stricture, Barrett's oesophagus, and oesophageal cancer.

• Diverticular disease: This condition affects half of people over 60. Small pouches form in the colon's lining and cause bloating, gas, and bowel habit changes.

• Peptic ulcer disease: Seniors typically develop larger ulcers higher in the stomach. Risk factors include frequent NSAID/aspirin use, H. pylori infection, and multiple medications. Unlike younger patients, older adults rarely show typical pain symptoms, which makes detection harder.

• Oral sensory issues: Dry mouth and taste changes affect many seniors. These problems occur more frequently in people taking prescription medications.

These digestive conditions create complex health challenges that need specialised care. They interact with age-related conditions and medications, making proper management crucial.

How to Cope with Age-related Digestive Problems

You don't need complex medical treatments to keep your digestive system healthy as you age. A few simple lifestyle changes can improve your comfort and function by a lot. These include:

Dietary modifications: People looking for heartburn relief should avoid trigger foods like spicy dishes, fatty meals, tomato-based products, citrus, garlic, onion, peppermint, and caffeine-rich items like chocolate and coffee. Your symptoms will improve if you eat smaller portions, stay upright for two hours after meals, and sleep on a wedge pillow.

Fibre helps fight both constipation and diarrhoea. People over 50 should get about 30 grams each day. These high-fibre foods work great in your meals:

• Beans and lentils

• Whole grains and berries

• Nuts, seeds, and brussels sprouts

• Artichokes and pumpkin

A powdered fibre supplement might help if you're still having trouble.

Hydration: Water intake is just as vital—enough water prevents constipation and keeps your digestive system running smoothly. Your intestinal muscles stay strong and waste moves efficiently when you combine good hydration with regular exercise.

Probiotics: These good bacteria help your digestive health, reduce diarrhoea episodes, and might make lactose intolerance better.

Smart medication management: Ask your doctor about drugs that might cause digestive symptoms, and find the lowest dose of NSAIDs that works.

Different conditions need different approaches. You should track foods that might trigger diarrhoea—dairy products, gluten-containing items, artificial sweeteners, fried foods, and certain natural sugars in onions, garlic, and legumes often create issues. Medications like loperamide (Imodium) can give you quick relief.

Watch out for warning signs carefully. Get medical help right away if you notice bleeding, unexpected weight loss, fever, or nighttime bowel movements.

These simple strategies can help you stay comfortable with your digestion even as age-related changes happen.

Conclusion

Your digestive system changes as you age, and these changes affect everyone differently. By age 75, most adults notice their digestion isn't what it used to be, and many see changes much earlier. The good news? These changes rarely need complex medical treatment.

Your body tells you when your digestion needs attention:

• Frequent constipation or irregular bowel movements

• Heartburn or trouble swallowing

• Unexplained bloating or gas

• Changes in appetite or weight

Small changes can make a world of difference. A diet rich in fibre, plenty of water, and regular physical activity helps keep your digestion comfortable as time passes. Eating smaller meals and staying away from foods that upset your stomach can reduce reflux symptoms too.

Age will change how your digestive system works, but these changes shouldn't reduce your life's quality. Regular doctor visits help catch problems early. Keeping track of your symptoms makes it easier to identify what triggers issues and what helps manage them.

FAQs

1. How does ageing affect the digestive system? 

   As we age, the digestive process slows down. This can lead to reduced saliva production, weakened oesophageal contractions, decreased stomach acid, and slower colon activity. These changes may result in issues like constipation, difficulty swallowing, and reduced nutrient absorption.

2. What are common digestive problems in older adults? 

   Common digestive issues in seniors include:

   • Constipation

   • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

   • Diverticular disease

   • Peptic ulcers

3. How can I improve my digestion as I get older? 

   To improve digestion:

   • Eat smaller, more frequent meals

   • Increase fibre intake with foods like beans, whole grains, and berries

   • Stay hydrated

   • Exercise regularly.

   • Add probiotic-rich foods to your diet 

   • Avoid trigger foods that cause discomfort

4. When should I seek medical attention for digestive problems? 

   While many digestive issues can be managed with lifestyle changes, certain symptoms warrant prompt medical attention. These include: 

   • Sudden onset of bleeding

   • Unplanned weight loss

   • Fever

   • Nighttime bowel movements

   • Regular check-ups are also important for early detection of potential issues.