Digestive health for seniors -
Read More: Can Certain Food Improve Your Brain Health? A persistent digestive illness called gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD is brought on when stomach acid or bile rushes back up into the esophagus, therefore, irritating and inflaming it.
Heartburn, swallowing difficulties, chest pain , sore throat, and nausea or vomiting are the most common signs of GERD. Th is condition primarily affects adults aged 60 years or older.
Some people may experience abdominal pain , fever, changes in bowel habits, or bloating. Although, the actual cause of diverticulitis is unknown, however , several factors can contribute to its development, including a ging , g enetics , o besity , s moking and s tress.
IBS stands for irritable bowel syndrome, which is a common disorder of the digestive system that affects the large intestine. It is a chronic condition that is characterized by a group of symptoms, including abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea.
Staying inactive for a long period of time can contribute to digestive problems, particularly constipation, acid reflux, and bloating. Inactivity or low levels of physical activity may disrupt the way the digestive tract muscles move food and waste through the system.
This could slow down digestion and increase the risk of constipation. Foods high in fiber and nutrients and low in fat make up a diet that provides the nutrients required for a healthy digestive tract.
The following are some foods that can help seniors maintain a healthy digestive system:. Seniors should talk to their healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before making any significant changes to their diet.
They can help ensure that their diet is balanced and meets their unique nutritional needs. One of the most effective ways to maintain a healthy digestive system is to drink adequate water. Adequate hydration prevents constipation and promotes regular bowel movements.
Additionally, water also helps dissolve and flush out waste and toxins from the body, keeping the digestive system functioning. Seniors should drink at least 8 cups or 64 ounces of water per day.
However, older adults may not feel as thirsty as they should due to age-related health issues. Therefore, caregivers should remind them to drink water or use the following methods to ensure proper hydration:.
Seniors should also speak with a primary care physician to determine their specific fluid needs, especially if they have any health conditions that affect their fluid balance, such as kidney disease.
Regular exercise can help stimulate the muscles in the digestive system, promoting regular bowel movements and preventing constipation. Moreover, physical activities can reduce stress levels and promote relaxation which can otherwise cause digestive issues such as bloating, cramping and even diarrhea.
To stay active, seniors can try the following activities:. Consult your doctor before starting any exercise routine. Read More: Why Should Seniors Practice Yoga?
Maintaining healthy weight has many advantages, including lower risk of contracting diseases like diabetes, heart disease , and high blood pressure. This indicates that healthy weight also minimizes the chance of taking pills, thus reducing worry about any negative side effects on the digestive system.
Seniors are advised to consult with a doctor before stopping or starting any prescription medication because doing so could affect their health. Read More: Foods That Help Lower Blood Pressure. Focusing on the core, with exercises such as sit-ups, leg lifts, abdominal twists, and crunches can bolster muscles that help food move through the digestive system.
Another result of regular activity is weight loss, which, as mentioned earlier, helps shed pounds and reduces digestive complications. We all experience some level of stress across our life span. In the Stress in America survey from the American Psychological Association APA , 27 percent of nearly 3, adults says that most days they are so stressed they cannot function.
This excess stress can have an impact on our digestive systems. The APA says that stress promotes activities that are damaging to the GI tract — such as overeating, drinking too much alcohol, and smoking. The stress can also fuel heartburn.
The pressure may heighten stomach pain and trigger bloating and nausea. When under stress, a person may experience diarrhea or constipation.
In a study published in in the Irish Journal of Medical Science , researchers looked at more than 1. Study authors add that anxiety and depression can be related to stress, which in turn affects the digestive system.
Ghouri said. Published in the Lancet Psychiatry , a study of 1. When it comes to yoga, research from that same year in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine showed that depression, anxiety, and stress decreased significantly in women after 12 sessions of regular yoga practice.
In the journal PLoS One , a small analysis of 19 IBS and 29 IBD inflammatory bowel disease patients demonstrated that a nine-week relaxation program alleviated symptoms of these two gut disorders.
The Sleep Foundation says that people experiencing chronic stress may spend less time in deep sleep, and have more disruptions during REM sleep.
Healthy digestion begins in the mouth, which is the entrance to your digestive tract, so it can be the door through which harmful bacteria pass.
A paper published in in the Journal of Oral Microbiology discussed how bacteria in the mouth spread through the body and have been linked with a number of diseases. The species of oral bacteria called P. gingivalis, for example, is thought to have a role in cancers of the mouth and digestive tract.
Enzymes in the mouth start the digestive process. When tooth decay begins, your body simply cannot process nutrients as well as it should. Taking care of your teeth is important as you age because you rely on your teeth to chew your food well, and you need to chew your food well to break it down into small enough pieces to be absorbed by your digestive tract.
The Mayo Clinic says that daily brushing at least twice a day for two minutes each time and flossing keeps bacteria under control. They also encourage the use of mouthwash to remove food particles left after brushing and flossing.
Taking care of your oral health is an investment in your overall health, Mayo Clinic notes, adding that people should contact their dentist as soon as an oral health problem arises.
You may find that, as you age, your stomach responds differently, and you can no longer eat spicy foods without getting heartburn and indigestion. If you make healthy lifestyle choices , such as watching your weight, exercising, and not smoking, your digestive system will serve you better through the years.
But if you experience intestinal problems that persist such as ongoing diarrhea and constipation, frequent or severe heartburn, unusual bloating, severe or sudden abdominal pain , be sure to talk to your doctor and seek treatment. A discussion with your doctor may also reveal that certain medications could be influencing your digestion, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
These medications may include: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heart medications such as nitrates and calcium channel blockers , oral antibiotics, and birth control pills.
Though it may seem like a simple process, the digestive system is actually quite complex. It is natural for our digestive system to become less efficient as we age. This is why seniors need to pay attention to their digestive health.
From changes in diet to an increased risk of gastrointestinal problems, there are a few things to be aware of. Various problems can occur as our digestive system ages.
This can lead to constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, and nutrient malabsorption. Seniors are also more likely to have chronic digestive conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease.
As a senior, you can ease your symptoms if you suffer from any of these problems. Consult your doctor if your symptoms persist. Exercise regularly, drink plenty of fluids, and eat a high-fiber diet. As we age, our gut health can decline. This can lead to several problems, including digestive issues, malnutrition, and cognitive decline.
Home » Digestive Health » 6 Simple Ways to Digesive Gut Health in Seniors. Regulating blood glucose good gut Digestive health for seniors Digwstive essential Digsetive overall well — Maca root for muscle gainwhich gets Maca root for muscle gain more foe with age. In addition, age-related changes in gut bacteria can impact digestive health, cognitive function, and mood. In this blog post, we will explore the factors that affect gut health and share 5 ways to improve gut health, specifically for people over The gut is also home to a diverse and complex ecosystem of microorganisms, including trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes. This collection of microorganisms is known as the gut microbiome. Maintaining Enhancing nutrient digestion healthy weniors system Digestive health for seniors a crucial part of overall wellness. As seniors, healh becomes Digestive health for seniors more pertinent as our sfniors naturally undergo various changes. It's not uncommon for seniors to experience issues like constipation or acid reflux. However, there are plenty of ways to counter these challenges and ensure your gut health is not just stable, but thriving. Senior Helpers Bakersfield has some effective tips geared specifically for seniors to help you improve your digestive health, so you can continue enjoying your golden years in comfort and good health. As we age, our metabolism naturally slows down. This slowdown can lead to a myriad of digestive issues.Digestive health for seniors -
Although foods containing probiotics most likely offer other nutritional benefits, it is unlikely they will supply sufficient probiotics to cause an effect. Typically, probiotic supplements work better than do probiotics found in food products, simply due to the quantity and stability of the organisms.
The human digestive tract does change with age, but there are strategies to promote balance of the intestinal bacteria. A registered dietitian can help create a meal plan to ensure your diet is adequate and minimize any drug-nutrient interactions.
Although current scientific literature is limited, the use of probiotics may also be beneficial in preventing the disruption of the gut environment, especially after treatment with antibiotics.
Seniors and Bacteria GIS T Seniors and Bacteria Bacteria are everywhere. Such factors shown to affect the number and variety of bacteria in the digestive tract include: birth delivery method diet and lifestyle the presence of disease the use of certain drugs especially antibiotics geographic location of residence nationality, and normal physiological changes associated with age.
Population Shift As of July , there were 4. Microbiota Through the Ages A unique study recently published in the Public Library of Science investigatedthe age-related differences in both the gut microorganisms and the inflammatory status of 84 adults in a restricted geographical area in Italy.
How to be a Good Host Organism Increased understanding of the impact of the gut microbiota on human health has resulted in attempts to manipulate its composition, mainly by the use of probiotics and prebiotics.
First published in the Inside Tract ® newsletter issue — 1. Rambaud JC et al. Gut Microflora Digestive Physiology and Pathology. Paris: John Libbey Eurotext; Biagi E et al. Ageing of the human metaorganism: the microbial counterpart.
Published online: 24 February Available from SpringerLink. Accessed 3. Statistics Canada. Seniors page. Accessed September 12, Through Ageing, and Beyond: Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory Status in Seniors and Centenarians.
PLoS One. Available from www. Accessed Saulnier D et al. Mechanisms of probiosis and prebiosis: considerations for enhanced functional foods. The abdomen contains.
A chronic digestive disorder characterized by the frequent or persistent flow of stomach acid and other gastric content back into the esophagus, is known as. Bloating is a common digestive issue that can affect individuals of all age groups, but unfortunately, it gets a lot more common with age.
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Share on twitter. Share on linkedin. What is Gut? A long tube that runs from the mouth to the anus and is responsible for the digestion of food and absorbing nutrients. The gut is a group of organs that includes the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum.
The gut plays an essential role in maintaining overall health and well-being. Factors That Affect Gut Health. Stress: Chronic stress can trigger inflammation in the gut and alter the balance of gut bacteria. It also disrupts normal digestion patterns and can lead to bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome IBS.
Eating healthy and balanced diet. Staying hydrated. Water helps flush out toxins from the body and supports regular bowel movements.
When the body is dehydrated, the stool gets hard and causes constipation and other digestive issues. Staying hydrated also helps to keep the gut lining healthy and promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. In addition to drinking water, seniors can also stay hydrated by drinking herbal tea and consuming water-rich foods like cucumbers and watermelon.
Regular exercise. Managing stress. Getting enough sleep. Consider Supplements. Probiotics are live bacteria that help balance the gut microbiome and support digestive health.
These beneficial bacteria can be found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha, as well as in supplements. Probiotics have been shown to help reduce inflammation and gastrointestinal disorders.
Probiotic supplements typically contain specific strains of bacteria that can populate the digestive system and promote healthy microbiota.
Prebiotics are dietary fiber that cannot be digested by the body but feed the beneficial bacteria in the gut. These non-digestible carbohydrates can be found in foods like garlic, onions, and bananas, as well as in supplement form.
The supplements can help increase the prebiotics in the gut, leading to many health benefits, such as improved digestion, enhanced immune system, and reduced inflammation. Seniors should take moderate probiotics and prebiotic supplements to complement a healthy lifestyle.
By prioritizing gut health, seniors can enjoy better digestion, a stronger immune system, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases. Seniors can support their gut health and have a healthier, happier life by incorporating some of the tips and strategies mentioned in the blog post into their daily routine and regular check-ups with Elite Care physicians.
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New research shows little seniofs of infection Maca root for muscle gain prostate biopsies. Discrimination at work is linked to high blood pressure. Icy fingers and toes: Poor circulation or Raynaud's phenomenon? Trillions of microbes — bacteria, viruses, fungi — call your gut home. They do more than just help you digest food.
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