[Functional digestive troubles in old age (author's transl)].

Functional disorders are frequent in elderly patients. However the high incidence of organic lesions in advanced age demands a most careful examination. Each diagnosis of functional disorders made by exclusion of organic lesions has to be revised, if symptoms persist or symptomatic treatment remains inefficient. Gastroenterological diagnostic should not be restricted to an endoscopic or radiologic glance to the gastrointestinal tract. It includes the less spectacular but more human trial to get an insight to the soul of the patient. This may be more helpful than any treatment with the newest double blind tested medication.