Читать книгу Pathy's Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine - Группа авторов - Страница 65

The gastrointestinal (GI) system digests food, absorbs nutrients, and processes them using the liver. The GI system has vital functions for the maintenance of homeostasis and consists of two parts: (i) the GI tract, which starts with the mouth and ends with the anus; and (ii) the GI organs and glands, which are the liver, pancreas, and gall bladder.

GI system function is impaired with age, while the anatomy changes little. As a result, chewing problems due to impaired tooth integrity, swallowing problems, constipation due to slow peristalsis, dyspeptic complaints, decreased appetite, hiatal and inguinal hernias, gallstones, and diverticulosis all become more prevalent with age.